Common herbicides and fibrates block nutrient-sensing receptor found in gut an... ( PHILADELPHIA (October 09 2009) -- Ac...)

Common herbicides and fibrates block nutrient-sensing receptor found in gut and pancreas

Date:10/9/2009

PHILADELPHIA (October 09, 2009) -- According to new research from the Monell Center and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, certain common herbicides and lipid-lowering fibrate drugs act in humans to block T1R3, a nutrient-sensing taste receptor also present in intestine and pancreas.

Commonly used in agriculture and medicine, these chemical compounds were not previously known to act on the T1R3 receptor.

The T1R3 receptor is a critical component of both the sweet taste receptor and the umami (amino acid) taste receptor. First identified on the tongue, emerging evidence indicates that T1R3 and related taste receptors also are located on hormone-producing cells in the intestine and pancreas.

These internal taste receptors detect nutrients in the gut and trigger the release of hormones involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism.

"Compounds that either activate or block T1R3 receptors could have significant metabolic effects, potentially influencing diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome," noted Monell geneticist and study leader Bedrich Mosinger, M.D., Ph.D.

In the study, published online in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, researchers tested the ability of two classes of chemical compounds to block the T1R3 receptor. The compounds fibrates and phenoxy-herbicides were selected based on their strong structural similarity to lactisole, a sweet taste inhibitor that exerts its taste effects by blocking T1R3.

Fibrates are a class of drugs frequently used to treat lipid disorders such as high blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Phenoxy-herbicides are used in agriculture to control broad-leaf weeds; the best known, 2,4-D, is one of the most extensively used herbicides worldwide.

Using an in vitro preparation, the researchers found that both classes of compounds potently blocked activation of the human sweet taste receptor, acting at m
'/>"/>

Contact: Leslie Stein
stein@monell.org
267-519-4707
Monell Chemical Senses Center
Source:Eurekalert

1

GOOD

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Oxidized form of a common vitamin may bring relief for ulcerative colitis
2. The first DNA barcodes of commonly traded bushmeat are published
3. Scientists link genetic glitches to common childhood cancer
4. Study links virus to some cases of common skin cancer
5. Common allergy drug reduces obesity and diabetes in mice
6. Fujitsu PalmSecure Certified Under International Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 2
7. Chemicals in common consumer products may play a role in pre-term births
8. Common fish species has human ability to learn
9. Common chemotherapy drug triggers fatal allergic reactions
10. Low levels of vitamin D linked to common vaginal infection in pregnant women
11. UNC study identifies genetic cause of most common form of breast cancer

Post Your Comments:

Common herbicides and fibrates block nutrient-sensing receptor found in gut an...( PHILADELPHIA (October 09 2009) -- Ac...)