<i>CD36</i> and <i>GPR120</i> Methylation Associates with Orosensory Detection Thresholds for Fat and Bitter in Algerian Young Obese Children

• Main Authors: Moustafa Berrichi, Aziz Hichami, Lynda Addou-Klouche, Amira Sayed Khan, Naim Akhtar Khan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-06-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical Medicine
• Subjects: <i>CD36</i>; <i>GPR120</i>; fat taste; obesity; bitter taste
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/9/6/1956

Background: The spontaneous preference for dietary fat is regulated by two lingual lipid sensors (<i>CD36</i> and <i>GPR120</i>) in humans and rodents. Our objective was to investigate whether obesity in children is associated with methylation of lipid sensor genes, and whether this alteration was implicated in altered gustatory perception of fat and bitter and increased preference of palatable foods. Methods: School children were recruited and classified according to their body mass index (BMI) <i>z</i>-score into two groups: obese and lean children. The detection of orosensory perception for oleic acid and 6-<i>n</i>-propylthiouracil was assessed by using a 3-alternative forced-choice test. After blood DNA extraction, methylation patterns were investigated by methylation-specific PCR. The children were also subjected to a food habit questionnaire. Results: Obese children showed higher lipid and bitter detection thresholds than lean children. Besides, more obese children presented higher methylation level of the CpG sites than lean participants. Interestingly, <i>CD36</i> and <i>GPR120</i> gene methylation was associated with high lipid detection thresholds in obese participants. The obese participants preferred highly palatable fat-rich food items, associated with <i>CD36</i> and <i>GPR120</i> gene methylation. Conclusion: Epigenetic changes in <i>CD36</i> and <i>GPR120</i> genes might contribute to low orosensory perception of fat and bitter taste, and might be, consequently, critically involved in obesity in children