Mechanisms of taste modulation in postmenopausal osteoporosis

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K21068
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0907:Oral science and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Kawabata Yuko 九州大学, 歯学研究院, 助教 (40906830)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 味覚 / 骨粗鬆症 / カルシウム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Postmenopausal women have bone loss and the changing taste preferences related to estrogen deficiency. Taste plays an important role in regulating feeding behavior that reflects physiological nutritional and mineral demands. It is presumed that abnormal bone calcium metabolism associated with menopause leads to modulation of mineral or ionic sensing in the peripheral taste organs. In this study, we analyzed taste preferences and gene expression, using the mice with osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy (OVX). OVX mice increased the expression of calcium- and bone metabolism-related genes in the taste organs. OVX mice also showed altered cellular responsiveness to calcium taste, suggesting enhanced taste aversiveness.

Free Research Field

味覚生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果は、閉経後骨粗鬆症と味覚異常の関連性、ならびにその分子機構の一端を明らかにした点に学術的意義がある。さらに、骨粗鬆症化によるカルシウム味に対する嗜好性低下は、カルシウム摂取を減少させる一因となり、栄養状態を悪化させ、さらなる骨脆弱性や、肥満、糖尿病、脂質代謝異常症などの生活習慣病を招く可能性がある。閉経後骨粗鬆症における味覚変化やその分子基盤の理解への寄与において、本成果は骨粗鬆症の早期発見や予防の方策提言に向けて社会的にも意義がある。