Bitter taste threshold and bronchial obstruction in bronchial asthma

Aim. To compare bitter taste sensitivity to potassium chloride and parameters of bronchial patency in patients with bronchial asthma (BSA). Material and methods. The study involved 40 healthy volunteers, 82 patients with allergic asthma (ABA), 48 patients with non-allergic asthma (NABA). Spirometry was conducted. The method of Robert I.Henkin et al. (1963) was used to determine the threshold of taste sensitivity to the bitter taste (potassium chloride). Results. The bitter taste threshold was significantly higher in asthmatic patients, particularly in patients with allergic variant of the disease compared to healthy volunteers. Statistically significant inverse correlations were revealed between bitter taste threshold and those volume (VC: τ=-0,306; n=43, p<0,01) and speed parameters (FEV1: τ=-0,429; n=44, p<0,01; MEF50: τ=-0,419; n=43, p<0,01; MEF75: τ=-0,460; n=44, p<0,01) that were obtained after inhalation of β2-agonist (berotec). Moreover, negative correlation (τ=-0,221, n=56, p<0,01) was documented between bitter taste threshold and blood ionized calcium level. Non-allergic BA was characterized by significant negative correlation between bitter taste threshold and initial vital capacity. Conclusion. The above findings suggest that changes in bitter taste sensitivity and disorders of bronchial patency in allergic BA may have common pathogenetic mechanisms based in accordance with modern concepts on disturbances in signal transduction systems coupled to G-proteins.