It turns out that taste receptors are not only on the tongue, but also in human skin cells. As IZ reports with reference to Sciencealert, researchers from Okayama University of Science have found that receptors of the TAS2R type, which are responsible for the sensation of bitterness, are also present in keratinocytes – cells of the upper layer of the skin. Their role is to detect potentially dangerous substances and remove them from the cells. This discovery sheds light on new functions of the skin and its ability to protect itself from toxins.
According to the study, when these receptors come into contact with bitter substances, such as phenylthiourea, they trigger the production of ABC transporter proteins. These proteins remove dangerous compounds from cells, preventing them from accumulating and damaging tissues. This mechanism may be similar to what happens on the tongue when we taste bitter food and try to spit it out. This supports the theory that the skin is able to detect and neutralize potential threats.
In their experiments, the scientists used a dye that is rapidly removed from cells by ABC transporters. When this process was blocked with verapamil, the dye accumulated, proving the importance of bitter receptors. Moreover, activated TAS2R increased the cells' chances of surviving exposure to toxins, including antihistamines. This discovery could provide an impetus for the development of new methods for protecting the skin from harmful substances.
The authors of the study suggest that activating TAS2R with safe bitter compounds may be a promising direction in the creation of products for removing toxins from the skin. This opens up new opportunities for cosmetology and medicine, offering alternative approaches to skin detoxification. Given these prospects, the trends in the use of coffee scrubs and other products with bitter components for skin care do not seem so strange.
As a reminder, we previously wrote that fiber helps reduce the risk of cancer.