Dietary Supplementation with Monosodium Glutamate Suppresses Chemotherapy-Induced Downregulation of the T1R3 Taste Receptor Subunit in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Abstract

(Background) We investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with monosodium glutamate (MSG) on chemotherapy-induced downregulation of the T1R3 taste receptor subunit expression in the tongue of patients with advanced head and neck cancer. (Methods) Patients undergoing two rounds of chemoradiotherapy were randomly allocated to a control or intervention group (dietary supplementation with MSG at 2.7 g/day during the second round of chemotherapy). The relative expression of T1R3, a subunit of both umami and sweet taste receptors, in the tongue was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Dysgeusia was assessed with a visual analog scale and daily energy intake was evaluated. (Results) T1R3 expression levels in the tongue, taste sensitivity, and daily energy intake were significantly reduced after the first round of chemotherapy compared with before treatment. Furthermore, these parameters significantly decreased after the second round of chemotherapy, but the extent of decrease was significantly attenuated in the MSG group compared with the control group. (Conclusions) MSG supplementation suppresses chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia, possibly due to the inhibition of the T1R3-containing taste receptor downregulation in the tongue, thereby increasing energy intake in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.

Beneficial Japanese Seasoning Sprinkle (Furikake) Leading to Satisfactory Cuisine and Life

“…Furikake has proven valuable in nutrition research. For instance, a furikake variant involving monosodium salt of L-glutamate (MSG) was used in a clinical trial aimed at improving taste abnormalities in healthy young individuals [12] and in cancer patients with taste abnormalities caused by anti-cancer drugs [13]. In Japanese nursing homes, residents often gather around a table to share meals.…”

The Incidence and Management of Cancer-Related Anorexia During Treatment with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

“…Treatment with monosodium glutamate has been recently shown to increase the expression of the taste receptor subunit T1R3 and increase energy intake in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. 64 …”

“…Treatment with monosodium glutamate has been recently shown to increase the expression of the taste receptor subunit T1R3 and increase energy intake in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. 64 Oral mucositis is a common side effect of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 65 Glutamine has been studied as a treatment for chemotherapy-and radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: a recent systematic review of several clinical trials showed that patients treated with glutamine had a significantly reduced incidence of severe (grade 3 or 4) oral mucositis.…”

Umami taste sensitivity is associated with food intake and oral environment in subjects with diabetes

“…We previously reported that lingual taste receptor gene expression decreases during chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer (10). Lingual taste receptors are stimulated by the taste of substances such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), thereby increasing taste receptor gene expression (17,18). However, we recently reported that the taste receptors of subjects with diabetes are expressed differently from those of the general population, suggesting overexpression due to overeating in the patients (19).…”