Fat Taste Nerves and Their Function in Food Intake Regulation

AbstractPurpose of the ReviewAdequate energy and nutrient intake are necessary to maintain homeostasis. However, people often consume high-calorie food beyond their energy needs. Hence, elucidating the sensing mechanisms of fatty acids involved in food intake regulation is important. In this review, we summarized some of the findings on the sensing mechanisms of fatty acid taste in the gastrointestinal tract.Recent FindingsSeveral molecules in the tongue (taste organ) are involved in fatty acid detection. GPR40 (FFAR1) and GPR120 (FFAR4) in the mouse tongue transmit information on fatty acids to the brain. In particular, GPR120 is involved in the neural information pathway that is pivotal for distinguishing fatty acid tastes from other primary tastes. GPR120 was first reported to be involved in appetite and feeding control in the intestine through secretion of the intestinal peptide GLP-1. Recently, GPR120 was also shown to suppress ghrelin secretion by fatty acid stimulation in gastric ghrelin-expressing cells. Further, taste information of fatty acids induces cephalic phase responses before food reaches the digestive organs, priming the body for incoming fats or oils.SummaryThe F-type nerve, a fatty acid-specific taste nerve type, exists in approximately 18% of the taste fibers of the mouse chorda tympani. Other fiber types that respond to umami or sucrose are also sensitive to fatty acids. Oral fat sensing elicits cephalic phase responses, such as serum triacylglycerol, no...
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - Category: Dentistry Source Type: research