Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 and Taste Perception: From Molecular Mechanisms to Potential Clinical Implications.

Mojca Jensterle,Andrej Janez,Manfredi Rizzo

doi:10.3390/ijms22020902

Abstract

Preclinical studies provided some important insights into the action of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in taste perception. This review examines the literature to uncover some molecular mechanisms and connections between GLP-1 and the gustatory coding. Local GLP-1 production in the taste bud cells, the expression of GLP-1 receptor on the adjacent nerves, a functional continuum in the perception of sweet chemicals from the gut to the tongue and an identification of GLP-1 induced signaling pathways in peripheral and central gustatory coding all strongly suggest that GLP-1 is involved in the taste perception, especially sweet. However, the impact of GLP-1 based therapies on gustatory coding in humans remains largely unaddressed. Based on the molecular background we encourage further exploration of the tongue as a new treatment target for GLP-1 receptor agonists in clinical studies. Given that pharmacological manipulation of gustatory coding may represent a new potential strategy against obesity and diabetes, the topic is of utmost clinical relevance.

Highlights

Hedonic feelings are parts of the paramount drive in mammalian physiological systems [1]
glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) R is expressed on adjacent taste nerve fibers in the tongue
Consistent with this, we provided evidence about the role of GLP-1 in gustatory coding, mostly based on preclinical studies

Summary

Introduction

Hedonic feelings are parts of the paramount drive in mammalian physiological systems [1]. Palatable foods that make us “feeling good” contain calorie-dense sweet and fat substances [2,3] In environments where such nutrients are readily available with little or no effort, we are not able to successfully resist these dietary challenges [4,5]. Obesity and diabetes are persistently accelerating [6], with almost half of United States’ (US) adults predicted to have obesity and about 34.4 million predicted to have diabetes by 2030 [7]. They both represent global public health burdens due to their epidemic occurrence and their association with adverse consequences. Considering that obesity is characterized as a condition of food intake above the physiological needs of the body, we should make further efforts in understanding how feeding behavior in obesity becomes dysfunctional and how to reverse it

Results

Discussion

Conclusion