TAS1R2-TAS1R3 is a sweet taste receptor expressed in taste buds, intestine, and pancreas. It serves as a sensor to facilitate glucose absorption and assimilation, which can be activated by mono- and disaccharides, certain amino acids, metal salts, and high potency sweeteners (HPS), but inhibited by sodium lactose, an inverse agonist. A study was conducted to determine whether TAS1R2-TAS1R3 influences glucose metabolism via hyperactivation with 5mM sucralose or 2mM sodium lactisole in a mixture with 75g glucose loads during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) in healthy adults. 9 participants were in the sucralose group, 7 in the lactisole group, and 3 participated in both experiments. To determine the relationship between the perception of sweetness and the effects of added sucralose on glucose metabolism, the investigators asked participants to rate the perceived sweetness intensity elicited by six concentrations of sucralose. It was found that the added sucralose had no significant effects on plasma glucose, but significantly increased insulin. In contrast, lactisole appeared to have no effects on plasma glucose or insulin, yet participants' sensitivity to lactisole-driven inhibition of sweetness was correlated with decreased plasma glucose levels. The investigators believe the results reflect the dysregulation of glucose caused by overconsumption of food or beverages high in sucrose, fructose, and HPS.

Reference

16. Kochem MC, Hanselman EC, Breslin PAS. PLoS One. 2024;19(5):e0298239.