Nasal Bitter Taste Testing for Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Pilot Proof-of-Concept Study

The expression and functionality of bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) in the sinonasal mucosa have been linked to variations in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) severity and susceptibility, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for managing this chronic condition. This study is an initial proof-of-concept study to explore the potential of nasal bitter taste testing as a screening tool for CRS, aiming at developing a screening method to detect the bitter taste receptor in the nose and its sensitivity between healthy individuals and those with CRS using available bitter ligands; therefore, coming up with a suitable titration of this ligand for future use.

A cross-sectional study of 84 adults (42 with CRS and 42 healthy controls) evaluated nasal glucose levels and phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) taste sensitivity. Colorimetric and statistical tests were used to analyse PTC threshold values and nasal glucose levels.

Based on 0.13% as the most suitable dilution for intranasal testing of PTC, there is an association between nasal bitter taste testing among CRS and control groups with a p value of < 0.001.

The bitter taste testing on the nose seems to be a simple and inexpensive way for screening patients with CRS. The titration and intranasal sites suggested in this study can be used as a basis for further prospective studies to view the outcome of patients with CRS. Targeting these receptors in diagnostics could open a new window of opportunity in the management of patients with CRS.