Mucin1 expression and gustatory function in postmenopausal females: A case-control observational study

Investigating possible relationship between Mucin1 expression levels in saliva, gustatory function, and taste perception in postmenopausal females.

Using whole mouth taste test, twenty-five post-menopausal females (51.35 ± 5.22 years) and twenty-five premenopausal females (39.65 ± 6.46 years) were prospectively evaluated for gustatory function. The expression of mucin1 was investigated; RNA was isolated from stimulated whole saliva samples and real-time PCR was used to determine mucin1 mRNA levels relative to bactin and GAPDH mRNA levels.

Significant difference was observed between postmenopausal and premenopausal women regarding intensity judgments of all tastants. The difference was more evident for sucrose taste perception (p<0.00001). Mucin1 expression levels were significantly decreased in postmenopausal females compared with premenopausal ones (p<0.00001). Mucin1 expression level had significant negative correlation with the salt taste sensitivity but did not correlate significantly with intensity judgments of the other tastants.

Postmenopausal women have a reduced gustatory function, especially sucrose. Mucin1 expression was significantly decreased in postmenopausal females and had a significant negative correlation with the salt taste sensitivity. However, no correlation was found between mucin1 expression level and taste sensitivity of other tastants. Key words:Gustatory function, MUC1, taste, postmenopausal.