Intestinal Taste Receptor Expression and Its Implications for Health: An Integrative Analysis in Female Rats after Chronic Insect Supplementation

Identifier:  imarina:9373518

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9373518

Authors:  Segu, Helena; Jalsevac, Florijan; Lores, Monica; Beltran-Debon, Raul; Terra, Ximena; Pinent, Montserrat; Ardevol, Anna; Rodriguez-Gallego, Esther; Blay, Maria Teresa

Abstract:
Taste receptors are found in the gastrointestinal tract, where they are susceptible to dietary modulation, a key point that is crucial for diet-related responses. Insects are sustainable and good-quality protein sources. This study analyzed the impact of insect consumption on the modulation of taste receptor expression across various segments of the rat intestine under healthy or inflammatory conditions. Female Wistar rats were supplemented with Tenebrio molitor (T) or Alphitobius diaperinus (B), alongside a control group (C), over 21 days under healthy or LPS-induced inflammation. The present study reveals, for the first time, that insect consumption modulates taste receptor gene expression, mainly in the ascending colon. This modulation was not found under inflammation. Integrative analysis revealed colonic Tas1r1 as a key discriminator for insect consumption (C = 1.04 +/- 0.32, T = 1.78 +/- 0.72, B = 1.99 +/- 0.82, p-value