The effect of sonic hedgehog expression on taste sensitivity and food intake

This study investigated the effect of sonic hedgehog expression on taste sensitivity and food intake, with 46 subjects aged 19-44 who did not smoke or suffer from any chronic or metabolic diseases. Preliminary research was examined to detect the type of saliva for investigating Sonic Hedgehog expression level, and according to the results, the unstimulated saliva selected. In the first part of the study, the Eating Attitude Test-26 was administered to the subjects to evaluate their eating behaviors and eliminate those with eating behavior disorders. The subjects were also requested to record their food consumption for five consecutive days. The second part involved administering a questionnaire on food like and food preferences, anthropomorphic measurements and saliva collection. In the third part, taste threshold level, 6-n-propylthiouracil sensitivity level and fungiform papillae density examined. Sonic Hedgehog expression level analyzed with a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Taste thresholds determined with 3-Alternative Forced Choice method. The 6-n-propylthiouracil sensitivity determined with the three-solution test. Sonic Hedgehog expression was lower in hyposensitive participants in sweet, bitter, salty and fat tastes than hypersensitive participants(p<0.05). Male subjects hypersensitive to sweet and fat tastes had lower energy and carbohydrate intake, while female subjects hypersensitive to sweet and fat tastes had lower energy intake than hyposensitive subjects (p<0.05). There was a negative moderate relationship between energy and carbohydrate intake and Sonic Hedgehog expression and a negative moderate relationship between body mass index and Sonic Hedgehog Expression (p<0.05). Hyposensitive to sweet taste liked and preferred sweet food more than hypersensitive subjects (p<0.05). Excessive food intake affects the taste threshold and causes an increase in body weight. Sonic Hedgehog expression decreases with increasing body weight and this affects the renew of taste cells, decreases taste sensitivity and may cause more food intake.