ASSOCIATION OF TAS2R38 DIPLOTYPES WITH SUGAR PREFERENCE AND DENTAL CARIES EXPERIENCE IN ADULTS

Abstract

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease in which genetic variation may influence dietary behavior and host susceptibility. This cross-sectional observational analysis evaluated the association of TAS2R38 diplotypes with bitter-taste perception, dietary sugar preference, estimated daily sugar intake, and dental caries experience in 50 adults aged 18–65 years. TAS2R38 diplotypes were classified as PAV/PAV, PAV/AVI, or AVI/AVI, while PROP bitterness, sugar preference, daily sugar intake, and DMFT were evaluated as phenotypic and clinical outcomes. PAV/PAV, PAV/AVI, and AVI/AVI diplotypes occurred in 12 (24.0%), 29 (58.0%), and 9 (18.0%) participants, respectively. Increasing PAV dosage was strongly associated with greater PROP bitterness (Spearman ρ = 0.793, P < 0.001), lower sugar preference (ρ = −0.680, P < 0.001), and lower daily sugar intake (ρ = −0.654, P < 0.001). Mean sugar preference scores were 4.21, 5.97, and 8.12 in PAV/PAV, PAV/AVI, and AVI/AVI participants, respectively, while corresponding mean sugar intakes were 65.7, 86.6, and 105.1 g/day. DMFT values were 5.50, 6.62, and 7.00, respectively, but the between-genotype difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.426). In multivariable analysis, daily sugar intake was positively associated with DMFT, whereas TAS2R38 PAV dosage was not independently associated with DMFT after adjustment for sugar intake, age, oral hygiene, and salivary flow. These findings suggest that TAS2R38 variation may influence caries-related dietary behavior more consistently than caries experience itself.