The A allele of cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) SNP 1761667 associates with decreased lipid taste perception in obese Tunisian women

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that excessive intake of dietary fat is associated with obesity. Some obese subjects have been reported to exhibit high thresholds for the gustatory detection of lipids via lipid receptors, such as cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36). We studied lingual detection thresholds for emulsions containing oleic acid in obese Tunisian women (n203) using a three-alternative forced choice (3-AFC) method. Genotyping of theTNF-α(rs1800629),IL-6(rs1800795) andCD36(rs1761667) genes was performed to associate with lipid taste perception thresholds. TheCD36genotype distribution was as follows: GG (n42), AG (n102) and AA (n59). Women with theCD36GG genotype exhibited oral detection thresholds for oleic acid that were more than three times lower than those with theCD36AA genotype. The present study confirms a high threshold of gustatory fat detection in obese women with theCD36AA genotype, but there is no significant association with theIL-6andTNF-αgene polymorphisms.