Taste Detection and Preferences in Diabetics and their Relatives

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
To determine whether a generalized defect in glucose recognition exists in daibetes, taste detection and preference were measured in adult onset diabetics (AOD), juvenile onset diabetics (JOD), and healthy 1st-degree relatives of diabetics (NR). Controls (C) were age- and sex-matched nondiabetics without 1st-degree diabetic relatives. The AOD and NR groups showed significantly higher glucose thresholds than their controls. Glucose threshold in JOD was not different from C. The AOD group also demonstrated a higher sucrose threshold than C. This difference was not present for JOD or NR groups. No difference in salt detection was seen in any of the groups. Taste preference was assessed by 2 choice situations and ratings of test solutions of varying concentrations. No significant difference in glucose or sucrose preference were noted, but both the AOD and NR groups preferred lower salt concentrations than C. There may be a widespread impairment of cellular glucose recognition in AOD and their relatives, while JOD have a specific .beta.-cell defect.