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Naciri LC, Mastinu M, Melis M, Green T, Wolf A, Hummel T, Barbarossa IT. A supervised learning regression method for the analysis of oral sensitivity of healthy individuals and patients with chemosensory loss. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17581. [PMID: 37845345 PMCID: PMC10579260 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44817-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The gustatory, olfactory, and trigeminal systems are anatomically separated. However, they interact cognitively to give rise to oral perception, which can significantly affect health and quality of life. We built a Supervised Learning (SL) regression model that, exploiting participants' features, was capable of automatically analyzing with high precision the self-ratings of oral sensitivity of healthy participants and patients with chemosensory loss, determining the contribution of its components: gustatory, olfactory, and trigeminal. CatBoost regressor provided predicted values of the self-rated oral sensitivity close to experimental values. Patients showed lower predicted values of oral sensitivity, lower scores for measured taste, spiciness, astringency, and smell sensitivity, higher BMI, and lower levels of well-being. CatBoost regressor defined the impact of the single components of oral perception in the two groups. The trigeminal component was the most significant, though astringency and spiciness provided similar contributions in controls, while astringency was most important in patients. Taste was more important in controls while smell was the least important in both groups. Identifying the significance of the oral perception components and the differences between the two groups provide important information to allow for more targeted examinations supporting both patients and healthcare professionals in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lala Chaimae Naciri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Mariano Mastinu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Melania Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Tomer Green
- Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Anne Wolf
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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Chen JH, Song CI, Hura N, Saraswathula A, Seal SM, Lane AP, Rowan NR. Taste receptors in CRS, what is the evidence?: a systematic review. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2021; 12:917-934. [PMID: 34913601 DOI: 10.1002/alr.22938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bitter (T2Rs) and sweet (T1Rs) taste receptors are involved in the innate immune response of the sinonasal cavity and associated with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Growing evidence suggests extraoral taste receptors as relevant biomarkers, but current understanding is incomplete. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence of extraoral taste receptors in CRS. METHODS PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus were reviewed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and included studies of genotypic and phenotypic T2R/T1R receptor status in CRS patients. RESULTS Twenty-two studies with 3,845 patients were included. Seventeen studies evaluated genotype and 10 evaluated taste phenotypes. Four of six studies examining the haplotype distribution of the T2R, TAS2R38, demonstrated increased AVI/AVI haplotype ("non-taster") frequency in CRS. Meanwhile, two studies demonstrated decreased bitter sensitivity in CRS with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) while three other studies reported decreased bitter sensitivity only in CRS without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP). Findings regarding sweet sensitivity were mixed. Three studies with cystic fibrosis patients (n=1,393) were included. Studies investigating the association between clinical outcomes and TAS2R38 alleles were limited, but the nonfunctional combination of AVI/AVI was associated with increased utilization of sinus surgery and, in CRSsNP patients, with poorer improvement of symptoms postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Both genotypic and phenotypic assessments of T2Rs suggest a potential association with CRS, particularly CRSsNP. However, limited evidence and mixed conclusions cloud the role of T2Rs in CRS. Future investigations should aim to increase diverse populations, broaden institutional diversity, examine T1Rs, and utilize uniform assessments. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H Chen
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Nanki Hura
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anirudh Saraswathula
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stella M Seal
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew P Lane
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas R Rowan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
The sense of taste is rarely assessed quantitatively outside of a limited number of academic and industrial laboratories, despite its role in influencing nutrition, the flavor of foods and beverages, and protection against ingestion of spoiled and toxic foodstuffs. This dearth reflects, in part, practical limitations of most taste tests, most notably their reliance on liquid stimuli for stimulus presentation or rinsing. In this study, a novel portable taste test that requires neither liquid tastants nor liquid rinses is described and validated within a clinic population. This test, termed the Waterless Empirical Taste Test (WETT®), uses stimuli that are embedded in pads of monometer cellulose located on disposable plastic strips applied to the tongue's surface. The test-retest and split-half reliability coefficients of the WETT® were 0.92 and 0.88, respectively. These respective coefficients for sucrose, NaCl, citric acid, caffeine, and MSG were 0.82 and 0.80, 0.78 and 0.77, 0.56 and 0.73, and 0.84 and 0.84. The WETT® exhibited comparable, in some cases higher, sensitivity than two comparison taste tests, the Whole Mouth Taste Test and the Taste Quadrant Taste Test, to age, sex, etiology (head trauma vs. upper respiratory infections), and phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) taste ability. This study demonstrates that a taste test that does not require liquids can be as reliable and sensitive as more traditional liquid-based taste tests to clinical alterations in taste function.
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Melis M, Grzeschuchna L, Sollai G, Hummel T, Tomassini Barbarossa I. Taste disorders are partly genetically determined: Role of the TAS2R38 gene, a pilot study. Laryngoscope 2019; 129:E307-E312. [PMID: 30675726 DOI: 10.1002/lary.27828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Taste sensitivity varies greatly among individuals influencing eating behavior and health, consequently the disorders of this sense can affect the quality of life. The ability to perceive the bitter of thiourea compounds, such as phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), has been largely reported as a marker of the general taste sensitivity, food preferences, and health. PTC sensitivity is mediated by the TAS2R38 receptor and its genetic common variants. We study the role of the TAS2R38 receptor in taste disorders with the aim of understanding if these can be genetically determined. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS Differences in the PTC responsiveness between the patients cohort and healthy controls were assessed. All subjects received standardized tests for smell and taste function and were genotyped for the TAS2R38 gene. RESULTS PAV/PAV homozygous patients gave high PTC ratings, whereas PAV/AVI genotypes reported lower values, which are similar to those determined in AVI/AVI or rare genotypes. In addition, the patients cohort did not meet the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at the TAS2R38 locus, showing a very low frequency of subjects carrying the PAV/AVI diplotype. Independently, in healthy controls who were in equilibrium at the locus, PAV/PAV homozygous and heterozygous rated PTC bitterness higher compared to AVI/AVI or rare genotypes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings, by showing that an only taster haplotype (PAV) is not sufficient to evoke high responses of TAS2R38 receptor in patients with taste disorders, suggest that the genetic constitution may represent a risk factor for the development of taste disorders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2c Laryngoscope, 129:E307-E312, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Lisa Grzeschuchna
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Smell and Taste Clinic, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Giorgia Sollai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Smell and Taste Clinic, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
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Abstract
Alterations in the ability to smell or taste are of considerable consequence, impacting quality of life, safety, nutrition, and dietary activities. These primary senses are influenced by a wide range of systemic diseases and disorders that commonly involve the entire body. These include viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal, cestode, and nematode infections that can spread throughout the gastric, lymphatic, neural, or circulatory systems as well as classic autoimmune disorders, collagen diseases, diabetes, and hypertension, and others. Although a considerable literature has evolved in which the function of both taste and smell has been assessed in a number of such disorders, quantitative chemosensory testing is still relatively rare with many disorders not receiving empirical assessment. Incongruent findings are not uncommon. This chapter reviews what is known about the influences of a wide spectrum of systemic diseases and disorders on the abilities to taste and smell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard L Doty
- Smell and Taste Center and Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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Rowan NR, Soler ZM, Othieno F, Storck KA, Smith TL, Schlosser RJ. Impact of bitter taste receptor phenotype upon clinical presentation in chronic rhinosinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2018; 8:1013-1020. [PMID: 29972727 DOI: 10.1002/alr.22138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic variation of the bitter taste receptor T2R38 has been associated with recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Specific T2R38 polymorphisms, correlating with bitter taste sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), have been identified as an independent risk factor for surgical intervention in CRS patients without polyps; however, the exact role of PTC tasting ability in clinical practice remains unknown. In this investigation we characterize PTC taste sensitivity in a tertiary care rhinology practice with pertinent clinical measures of disease and quality of life (QOL). METHODS Adult CRS patients were prospectively assessed for their ability to taste PTC and categorized as nontasters, tasters, or supertasters. Objective taste was assessed with strips for bitter, sweet, sour, and salty, whereas olfactory testing was measured with Sniffin' Sticks. Correlation was performed between PTC tasting ability and patient demographics, endoscopy scores, validated QOL surveys, and both subjective and objective measures of taste and olfaction. RESULTS Sixty-seven patients were enrolled. Fifty-two percent were identified as nontasters, 34% as tasters, and 13% as supertasters. Nontasters were more likely to be non-Hispanic (p = 0.018), white (p = 0.027), without nasal polyposis (p = 0.004), and nonasthmatics (p = 0.019). There were no other statistical differences in patients' demographics, QOL measures, and subjective or objective olfactory and taste scores when compared with patients' oral PTC-sensing ability. CONCLUSION Oral PTC-sensing ability may serve as a convenient marker of increased disease severity in white CRS patients without polyps and vary among regional populations. PTC tasting ability appears to provide unique phenotypic information not obtained using other subjective or objective measures of smell and taste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R Rowan
- Division of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Zachary M Soler
- Division of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Florence Othieno
- Division of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Kristina A Storck
- Division of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Timothy L Smith
- Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Rhinology and Sinus/Skull Base Surgery, Portland, OR
| | - Rodney J Schlosser
- Division of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.,Department of Surgery, Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, Charleston, SC
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Cossu G, Melis M, Sarchioto M, Melis M, Melis M, Morelli M, Tomassini Barbarossa I. 6-n-propylthiouracil taste disruption and TAS2R38 nontasting form in Parkinson's disease. Mov Disord 2018; 33:1331-1339. [PMID: 29575306 DOI: 10.1002/mds.27391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The few studies that evaluated taste function in Parkinson's disease (PD) showed inconsistent results. The inherited ability to taste the bitter compound of 6-n-propylthiouracil has been considered to be a paradigm of general taste perception. 6-n-propylthiouracil taste perception is mediated by the TAS2R38 receptor, and reduced 6-n-propylthiouracil sensitivity has been associated with several diseases not typically related to taste function. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the 6-n-propylthiouracil taste perception and the TAS2R38 gene as genetic risk factors for the development of idiopathic PD in PD patients and healthy controls (HC). METHODS The 6-n-propylthiouracil taste perception was assessed by testing the responsiveness, and the ability to recognize, 6-n-propylthiouracil and sodium chloride. The participants were classified for 6-n-propylthiouracil taster status and genotyped for the TAS2R38 gene. RESULTS A significant increase in the frequency of participants classified as 6-n-propylthiouracil nontasters and a reduced ability to recognize bitter taste quality of 6-n-propylthiouracil were found in PD patients when compared with healthy controls. The results also showed that only 5% of PD patients had the homozygous genotype for the dominant tasting variant of TAS2R38, whereas most of them carried the recessive nontaster form and a high number had a rare variant. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that 6-n-propylthiouracil taster status and TAS2R38 locus are associated with PD. The 6-n-propylthiouracil test may therefore represent a novel, simple way to identify increased vulnerability to PD. Moreover, the presence of the nontasting form of TAS2R38 in PD may further substantiate that disease-associated taste disruption may represent a risk factor associated with the disease. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Cossu
- Neurology Service and Stroke Unit, A.O. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Melania Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marianna Sarchioto
- Neurology Service and Stroke Unit, A.O. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy.,University of Cagliari, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health Cagliari, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marta Melis
- Neurology Service and Stroke Unit, A.O. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy.,University of Cagliari, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health Cagliari, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maurizio Melis
- Neurology Service and Stroke Unit, A.O. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Micaela Morelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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