GENETIC TASTE SENSITIVITY AND SALIVARY

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ACTA
STOMATOLOGICA
NAISSI

Table of Contents for
June 2026 • Volume 42 • Number 93

GENETIC TASTE SENSITIVITY AND SALIVARY FLOW RATES IN ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS AND TYPE 2 DIABETES: A COMPARATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Ananya Tirumani¹,
Swagathika Mishra²,
K.V. Chandini²,
N. Kavya Keerthika²,
D. Sri Veda²,
Tejaswini Tirumani³

¹Vishnu Dental College, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India

²Drs Sudha and Nageswararao Siddhartha Institute Of Dental Sciences, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Chinnoutappalli, Vijayawada – 521286, Krishna dst, Andhra Pradesh, India

³Shri Vishnu College Of Pharmacy, Department Of Pharmacy Practice, Bhimavaram- 534201, Andhra Pradesh, India

...Abstract

Introduction: Altered taste perception and reduced salivary gland function are frequently reported in systemic and oral diseases, including oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Genetic sensitivity to the bitter compound phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), mediated by TAS2R38 receptors, may provide insights into disease-related changes.
Materials and Methods: Ninety participants were equally divided into three groups (OSMF, T2DM, and healthy controls). Taste sensitivity was tested using standardized PTC strips placed on the dorsal tongue for 10 seconds and scored on a 9-point scale (1–2 = non-tasters, 3–7 = tasters, 8–9 = super-tasters). Unstimulated saliva was collected by the spitting method for three minutes, while stimulated saliva was obtained by chewing latex pieces. Flow rates (mL/min) were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS v22, with p < 0.05 considered significant, and appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests.
Results: Patients with OSMF showed markedly lower PTC scores (1.2 ± 0.5) and salivary flow (stimulated: 2.3 ± 0.2 mL/min; unstimulated: 0.5 ± 0.1 mL/min) compared with controls. Patients with T2DM had reduced salivary secretion (stimulated: 1.6 ± 0.3 mL/min; unstimulated: 0.4 ± 0.2 mL/min) but retained moderate taste sensitivity (5.6 ± 1.3). Healthy controls demonstrated the highest scores (7.8 ± 0.7) and flow rates.
Conclusion: Both OSMF and T2DM are associated with impaired taste perception and salivary function. Phenylthiocarbamide testing may be a simple adjunctive tool in oral diagnostics, while integration of TAS2R38 genotyping could enhance future research.

Key words: diabetes mellitus, oral submucous fibrosis, phenylthiocarbamide, saliva, taste perception

...Authors and Reprint Information

Address of correspondence:
Ananya Tirumani, MDS, Assistant professor,
Vishnu Dental College, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology,
Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India 534202
E-mail: ananya4233@gmail.com