Our PTC taste test papers have been used for years in genetic studies to identify individuals who can taste the bitter substance versus those who cannot. The simplest form of this test is to classify individuals as supertasters, tasters and non-tasters. The discovery of the TAS2R38 gene in 2003 explained why humans perceive PTC differently. Now, scientists are discovering additional relations between this gene and certain health conditions.
Sensonics International provides medical, scientific, and industrial communities with the best smell and taste tests for assessing chemosensory function. They distribute some of our taste test strips, and have been working with us on developing a few more. They were gracious enough to share a new study with us that relates to our PTC taste test papers.
A recent study from Jennifer E. Douglas and Noam A. Cohen published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences earlier this year, found a relation between taste receptors and sinonasal immunity and respiratory disease.
Essentially, the T2R38 taste receptor has three beneficial immune responses that enhance an individual’s upper respiratory immunity. People with a functional version of the T2R38 gene can taste the bitterness of the PTC compound in our PTC taste test strips. These individuals also display an anti-microbial response in the upper airway to certain invading pathogens, while PTC non-tasters lack this valuable response.
What could this mean for non-tasters? A non-taster is at a higher risk for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) requiring surgery, poor quality of life improvements post-operatively, and decreased rhinologic quality of life in patients with cystic fibrosis. Indirect evidence also suggests that non-tasters have a larger burden of biofilm formation.
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an infectious disease characterized by severe inflammation of the sinus cavities. Allergies, infections or physical defects can trigger an initial inflammatory response, leading to blockage of the nasal passageway and the accumulation of mucus and pathogens in the sinuses, leaving an individual susceptible to chronic infection. It is estimated that more than 13 million people in the U.S. live with CRS and experience a significant impact on their quality of life.
CRS patients are typically treated initially with medications like nasal steroids, decongestants, antihistamines, saline solutions and antibiotics, and most often, these treatments do work. However, it is estimated that these methods don’t work on over 20% of the 13 million Americans treated, leaving about 2.6 million patients looking to surgery.
If this study holds true, the PTC taste test could also be used to influence the clinical management of patients with infectious conditions affecting the upper respiratory tract and possibly at other mucosal sites throughout the body.
Scientist’s understanding of these bitter taste receptors in upper respiratory immunity is continuing to grow, but it is clear there is a relation between bitter taste receptors, specifically T2R38, and an immune response in the upper respiratory system.
A special thanks to Sensonics sharing this article. Visit the Sensonics International website to find smell and taste tests, as well as rhinometry and olfactometry equipment.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18, 437; doi:10.3390/ijms18020437
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