Implications of type 1 and type 2 taste receptors on obesity-induced inflammation

Abstract

Obesity is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation that could lead to the other health complications, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and various cancers. Nutrient intake and dietary preferences are often modulated by taste receptors in the taste buds. Emerging evidence has shown that taste perception is altered during the development of obesity. It is demonstrated that suppression of taste receptor or taste signaling molecules can potentiate inflammatory response, whereas progressive inflammation has shown to attenuate the expression of taste receptors in vivo, which could be suggestive of an interplay between taste signaling and inflammation. This review summarizes the interactions between types 1 and 2 taste receptors and inflammation, as well as the impact of obesity on taste signaling. Taken together, taste receptors might play a crucial role in regulating the inflammatory response during obesity and hence may serve as a potential therapeutic target to prevent the progression of obesity.