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Association Between 6-n-Propylthiouracil (PROP) Bitterness and Colonic Neoplasms

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Abstract

Inadequate vegetable intake appears to increase colon cancer risk. Since genetic variation in taste influences vegetable preference, we tested associations between bitterness of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP), a measure of taste genetics, and number of colonic polyps, a measure of colon cancer risk, in 251 men who underwent screening lower endoscopy. Patients used the general Labeled Magnitude Scale to rate bitterness of 1.6 mg PROP delivered via filter paper. A subset of 86 patients reported weekly vegetable intakes, excluding salad or potatoes. PROP bitterness correlated significantly with polyp number, an effect separate from age-associated increases in polyp number. The PROP–polyp relationship was strongest in men over 66 years, and older men with polyps were most likely to be overweight or obese. In the subset reporting vegetable intake, men who tasted PROP as more bitter consumed fewer vegetables. These preliminary findings suggest that taste genetics may influence colon cancer risk, possibly through intake of vegetables.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Surgery, Wayne State University and John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan

    Marc D. Basson MD, PhD

  2. Departments of Surgery, Yale University School of Surgery, New Haven, Connecticut

    Linda M. Bartoshuk PhD

  3. Departments of Surgery and Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut

    Susan Z. DiChello BS

  4. Veterans Health Administration/Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bay Pines, Florida

    Lisa Panzini MD & Valerie B. Duffy PhD, RD

  5. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    James M. Weiffenbach Phd

  6. School of Allied Health, University of Connecticut, 358 Mansfield Road, Box U-101, Storrs, Connecticut, 06269-2101

    Valerie B. Duffy PhD, RD

Authors
  1. Marc D. Basson MD, PhD
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  2. Linda M. Bartoshuk PhD
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  3. Susan Z. DiChello BS
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  4. Lisa Panzini MD
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  5. James M. Weiffenbach Phd
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  6. Valerie B. Duffy PhD, RD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Valerie B. Duffy PhD, RD.

Additional information

This work was supported by a MAVERIC grant from the Veterans Administration (M.D.B.) and by NIDCD Grant DC00283 (L.M.B. and V.B.D.).

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Basson, M.D., Bartoshuk, L.M., DiChello, S.Z. et al. Association Between 6-n-Propylthiouracil (PROP) Bitterness and Colonic Neoplasms. Dig Dis Sci 50, 483–489 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-005-2462-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-005-2462-7

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