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Taste Exam: A Brief and Validated Test
Published on: August 17, 2018
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Taste receptor polymorphisms and longevity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Danilo Di Bona1, Alberto Malovini2, Giulia Accardi3
1Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari-Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
|November 10, 2020
Summary
Genetic variations in bitter taste receptors (TAS2R) may influence longevity. A meta-analysis suggests a TAS2R16 genotype variant is associated with longevity in South Italy, reconciling inconsistent findings.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Physiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Bitter taste receptors (TAS2R) play roles in non-gustatory physiological processes, including immune-inflammatory functions.
- Genetic variations (polymorphisms) in TAS2R genes, such as TAS2R16 and TAS2R38, may influence various human traits.
- Previous studies on TAS2R polymorphisms and longevity in South Italian populations yielded inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively synthesize the effects of TAS2R16 and TAS2R38 gene variants on longevity using a meta-analytic approach.
- To reconcile inconsistent findings regarding TAS2R polymorphisms and longevity in South Italian populations.
- To analyze TAS2R38 variants in the Cilento population for their association with longevity and include these data in the meta-analysis.
Main Methods:
- Meta-analysis of published data on TAS2R16 and TAS2R38 gene polymorphisms and longevity.
- Inclusion of newly analyzed TAS2R38 data from the Cilento population in the meta-analysis.
- Statistical synthesis to evaluate the association between specific TAS2R genotypes and longevity.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between TAS2R38 variants and longevity in the Cilento population or in the overall meta-analysis.
- The TAS2R16 genotype associated with longevity in the Calabria population maintained its statistical significance in the meta-analysis including Cilento data.
- Individual analysis of Cilento population data for TAS2R16 did not show significance, but meta-analysis confirmed the association.
Conclusions:
- The TAS2R16 genotype variant is significantly associated with longevity in the South Italian population.
- TAS2R polymorphisms, particularly TAS2R16, warrant further investigation for their role in human aging and healthspan.
- Meta-analytic approaches are valuable for resolving inconsistencies in genetic association studies.
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