Role of the Gut Sweet Taste Receptor in the Secretion of Satiation Peptides

The Role of Sweet Taste Receptor Blockade on Intragastric Liquid Meal-stimulated Secretion of Satiation Peptides in Healthy Humans

The purpose of this study is to determine the functional significance of sweet taste receptors in the secretion of gastrointestinal (GI) satiation peptides by using a specific sweet taste receptor antagonist to block sweet taste perception in the gastrointestinal tract.

There is strong evidence that taste signaling mechanisms identified in the oral epithelium also operate in the gut. It is suggested that open-type enteroendocrine cells directly sense nutrient via alpha-gustducin coupled taste receptors to modulate the secretion of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY). Several nutrient responsive G-protein coupled receptors have been identified in the human gut, including the sweet taste responsive T1R2/T1R3 heterodimer, the amino acid/umami responsive T1R1/T1R3 as well as GPR120 for unsaturated long-chain free fatty acids. The functional significance of sweet taste receptors in mixed liquid meal-stimulated secretion of GLP-1 and PYY will be determined by intragastric infusion of a 500 mL mixed liquid meal with or without lactisole (450 ppm)in a double blind, 2-way crossover trial including 16 healthy subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy subjects
• BMI of 19.0-24.5
• age 18-40 years old
• stable body weight for at least 3 month

Exclusion Criteria:

• smoking
• substance abuse
• regular intake of medication
• medical or psychiatric illness
• gastrointestinal disorders or food allergies