Comparison of salivary proteome of children with different sensitivities for bitter and sweet tastes: association with body mass index

Background/objectives: Oral sensorial perception is a key aspect in food choices and knowing the mechanisms modulating such perception is of major importance in the context of child obesity, which is reaching high rates in Mediterranean countries. Salivary proteome has been linked to taste sensitivity in adults. The aim of this study was to search for differences in salivary proteomes of children with different bitter or sweet taste sensitivities and to assess if these potential differences are associated with their body mass index percentile (BMI percentile). Subjects/methods: 387 children aged 8-9 years old were assessed for BMI percentile and classified according to their sensitivity to bitter and sweet tastes, according to their caffeine and sucrose detection thresholds, respectively. Saliva protein composition was compared among taste sensitivity groups, taking into account BMI percentile and gender, using gel-based proteomics approaches, coupled to mass spectrometry for protein identification. Results: Among the salivary proteins related to bitter taste sensitivity, higher levels of cystatins were observed in bitter-sensitive children, in the case of those of normal weight, and in bitter low-sensitive, in the case of overweight children. For sweetness, the relationship between saliva and taste perception was also dependent on BMI percentile, with several proteins (including salivary cystatins) differing between taste sensitivity groups, with disparities arising between normal-weight and overweight children. Cystatin isoforms A, B and SA were observed to be considerably increased in saliva from obese children. Conclusions: Salivary proteome is related with sensitivities to bitter and sweet tastes in children, but the association is dependent on BMI percentile and gender

Monosodium glutamate intake, dietary patterns and asthma in Chinese adults

Extent: 6p.Objectives: Emerging evidence shows that diet is related to asthma. The aim of this analysis was to investigate the association between monosodium glutamate (MSG) intake, overall dietary patterns and asthma. Methods: Data from 1486 Chinese men and women who participated in the Jiangsu Nutrition Study (JIN) were analyzed. In this study, MSG intake and dietary patterns were quantitatively assessed in 2002. Information on asthma history was collected during followed-up in 2007. Results: Of the sample, 1.4% reported ever having asthma. MSG intake was not positively associated with asthma. There was a significant positive association between ‘traditional’ (high loadings on rice, wheat flour, and vegetable) food pattern and asthma. No association between ’macho’ (rich in meat and alcohol), ‘sweet tooth’ (high loadings on cake, milk, and yoghurt) ‘vegetable rich’ (high loadings on whole grain, fruit, and vegetable) food patterns and asthma was found. Smoking and overweight were not associated with asthma in the sample. Conclusion: While a ‘Traditional’ food pattern was positively associated with asthma among Chinese adults, there was no significant association between MSG intake and asthma.Zumin Shi, Baojun Yuan, Gary A. Wittert, Xiaoqun Pan, Yue Dai, Robert Adams, Anne W. Taylo