Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying taste alterations induced by abnormal bone mineral metabolism associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23K15979
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57020:Oral pathobiological science-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Kawabata Yuko 九州大学, 歯学研究院, 助教 (40906830)
• Project Period (FY): 2023-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 味覚 / 閉経後骨粗鬆症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we used ovariectomized (OVX) mice, a model of postmenopausal osteoporosis, to investigate the mechanisms underlying taste alterations associated with abnormal bone mineral metabolism. We also explored the relationship between bone mineral metabolism and taste sensitivity in postmenopausal women using big data obtained from a large-scale community health checkup. Our results suggest that the taste sensitivity to divalent cations such as calcium, as well as the aversive response to bitter tastes, is enhanced in OVX mice compared to sham-operated (Sham) controls. Additionally, taste data were collected from approximately 3,000 adults aged 20 years and older who participated in the health screening of the Iwaki Health Promotion Project conducted by Hirosaki University.

Free Research Field

味覚生理

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

閉経後、金属味や苦味への忌避性が高まることでミネラル摂取が低下し、骨粗鬆症の進行を加速させるという、味覚変容を契機とした病態悪化のスパイラルが示唆された。これは味覚と骨代謝の新たな関連メカニズムを示す知見として学術的意義が高い。また、味覚変容は食行動や栄養摂取に直結することから、閉経後女性の健康維持や骨粗鬆症予防における新たな介入指標となり得る点で社会的意義も大きい。