Research Article Open Access

SALIVARY CARBONIC ANHYDRASE VI, ZINC SULFATE TASTE ACUITY AND FREQUENCY OF ILLNESS: A PILOT STUDY

Matthew J. Zdilla1 and Leah D. Starkey2
  • 1 West Liberty University, United States
  • 2 West Virginia University School of Medicine, United States

Abstract

Salivary Carbonic Anhydrase VI (CA6) is a zinc-dependent metalloenzyme which may be important for normal taste function. Though many taste assessment methods exist, the assessment of zinc sulfate taste acuity is a method that has been suggested to have diverse relationships to human health. A double-blinded pilot study was conducted among 21 individuals to analyze the relationships between salivary CA6 concentrations, zinc sulfate taste acuity and self-reported frequency of illness. ELISA was performed to quantify CA6 concentrations, the Bryce-Smith and Simpson "Zinc Taste Test" (BS-ZTT) protocol and a Taste Intensity Visual Analog Scale (TI-VAS) were utilized to assess zinc sulfate taste acuity and a health history questionnaire was used to determine the frequency of illness. A statistically significant correlation existed between CA6 concentration and zinc sulfate taste acuity determined via the BS-ZTT (rs = 0.62; p = 0.03). A moderate statistically significant negative correlation was found between self-reported frequency of illness and BS-ZTT scores (rs = -0.64, p = 0.034). Likewise, a strong statistically significant negative correlation was found between self-reported frequency of illness and TI-VAS scores (rs = -0.81, p = 0.003). The results of this pilot study suggest that zinc sulfate taste acuity may be reflective of salivary CA6 concentration in addition to being a retrospective indicator of illness frequency.

American Journal of Immunology
Volume 10 No. 2, 2014, 107-113

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajisp.2014.107.113

Submitted On: 28 June 2014 Published On: 8 July 2014

How to Cite: Zdilla, M. J. & Starkey, L. D. (2014). SALIVARY CARBONIC ANHYDRASE VI, ZINC SULFATE TASTE ACUITY AND FREQUENCY OF ILLNESS: A PILOT STUDY. American Journal of Immunology, 10(2), 107-113. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajisp.2014.107.113

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Keywords

  • Zinc Taste Test
  • Gustin
  • Ageusia
  • Hypogeusia
  • Dysgeusia
  • Immunity