Page 57 - Healthcare News July/August 2022

UMass Amherst Scientist Examines Sensory Profile of Two Antibiotics
AMHERST — “Good medicine tastes bitter,” the Chi- nese saying goes. Mary Poppins had a cure for that in the timeless tune: “just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”
Now, UMass Amherst sensory scientist Alissa Noldenhas a scientific explanation for those truisms. Her new research, published in a nutrigenomics-themed issue of Frontiers in Genetics, shows that the degree of bitter- ness for two common antibiotics relates to genetic differ- ences in people’s TAS2R bitter taste receptors.
How medicine — especially in oral liquid form — tastes is important because it’s thought to be associated with whether patients appropriately take and complete their medication regimen.
“Taste can be a real issue,” says Nolden, assistant pro- fessor of Food Science. “It’s something that everyone has experienced, and it can lead to rejection or low compli- ance. But there are very few studies that are published on the sensory profile of any antibiotics.”
Humans have 25 bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs), which are now known to be located throughout the body, not just on the tongue, and serve various non-tasting roles. The TAS2R receptors are thought to have evolved as warn- ing signs for toxic foods and substances. The idea is not
to make medicine taste yummy because that could attract children or otherwise encourage dangerous misuse.
ALISSANOLDENHAS
“There’s a fine line between acceptable and aversive,” Nolden said. “The goal isn’t to taste good.”
For the study, 143 par- ticipants rated the intensity of taste sensations, including bitterness. Nolden, who col- lected the study’s data while completing her Ph.D. at Penn
ference, experiencing a reduced sense of bitterness. “We anticipated finding individual variability, with some individuals perceiving high bitterness and some
individuals perceiving lower bitterness of these antibiot- ics,” Nolden said. “We also investigated whether or not this variability would be associated with genetic mutations in our bitter taste receptor genes. We were successful in examining the sensory profile of these antibiotics and link- ing individual variability in bitterness intensity with two different bitter taste receptor mutations.”
Ultimately, medication taste may fall into the realm of personalized medicine — the idea that medical treatments are customized based on a person’s genetic makeup. Screening medications taking into account the common genetic differences in bitter taste receptors may enhance the effectiveness of prescription drugs.
“This is just the beginning,” said Nolden, emphasiz- ing that research is needed to expand data on the genetic profiles of bitter taste receptors among different racial and ethnic groups. “The take-home message is that drugs are often bitter, and they haven’t been investigated in terms of individual variability in sensory perception.”
She concluded in her paper that “improved under- standing of individualized barriers to patient compliance, especially for oral formulations, can guide future efforts to optimize delivery systems for improved compliance.”
State University, focused on the bitterness ratings of two antibiotics, chloramphenicol and ofloxacin. Bitterness was the dominant sensation for both drugs and, on average, was rated near-moderate intensity. However, not all participants experienced the same bitter-
ness intensity.
“Bitterness intensity is strongly associated with genetic
mutations in our bitter taste receptors,” Nolden explained. One of the most studied bitter taste receptor mutations is associated with the bitterness perception of propylthio- uracil, a thyroid medication, and phenylthiocarbamide,
a chemical compound found in cruciferous vegetables.
In general, among a Caucasian population, about 50% of people will experience moderate bitterness, 25% will have a more functional phenotype and taste bitterness more intensely, and 25% will have a less functional genetic dif-
Work Opportunity Center Receives $10,000 from Westfield Bank
WESTFIELD — Work Opportunity Center Inc. (WOC) announced that it is the recipient of a $10,000 grant dona- tion from the Westfield Bank Future Fund Grant Program. The funds received from the program will help support the purchase of a new handicapped-accessible van for WOC’s Community Based Day Services (CBDS) program.
The CBDS program of supports enables individuals with developmental disabilities to enrich their lives and enjoy a
full range of community activities by providing opportuni- ties for developing, enhancing, and maintaining competency in personal, social, and community activities. Service options for individuals participating in the CBDS program include career exploration, community integration experiences to support fuller participation in community life, skills develop- ment and training, volunteer opportunities with local non- profits, health and fitness classes, socialization experiences,
Memory
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The Importance of Awareness
In 2022, the Alzheimer’s Assoc. reported there were 55 million people worldwide living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. According to these statistics, not only are 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, but this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050.
While Alzheimer’s disease is only one form of dementia, there are many variations of cognitive decline that fall under the dementia umbrella. Dementia is a broad term used to describe a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills, and physical functioning. The NIA indicates that there are many types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body disease, and others. Though dementia can happen to anybody, it is more common after age 65.
The Alzheimer’s Assoc. indicates that fewer than 20% of Americans are familiar with an early stage of Alzheimer’s called mild cognitive impairment (MCI), though almost one-third of people with MCI develop dementia within five years of their diagnosis. As a precursor to dementia, MCI is characterized by subtle changes in thinking and memory. Though MCI does
not affect an individual’s ability to perform everyday activities of independent living, it can generally be seen by the person affected, as well as by family and friends.
and support to enhance interpersonal skills, as well as the pursuit of personal interests and hobbies.
WOC is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation headquartered in Westfield, funded by contracts with the Department of Developmental Services. The mission of WOC is to assist individuals with developmental disabilities in obtaining em- ployment in the community and to promote social inclusion.
Our Campus of Care
When faced with the reality of dementia, it can be daunting to figure out what to do next. After receiving a positive diagnosis, family and loved ones may fear they are incapable of handling the care their loved one needs by themselves. That’s why memory-care communities like East Longmeadow Memory Care Assisted Living offer resident-focused care for those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss and dementia — to help them experience the highest possible quality of life and discover new possibilities.
Even if an official dementia diagnosis has not been made, you may find your loved one could use the supportive care offered by an assisted-living setting.
By joining a memory-care assisted-living community, individuals can rest assured that not only will their
needs be taken care of, but the supportive setting can help stave off dementia symptoms and reduce risk of disease progression. According to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., evidence shows that physical activity, eating healthy, staying mentally and socially active, and taking control of your health are all necessary factors in reducing your risk of dementia symptoms. The ability to address each of these needs can be found in the memory-care assisted- living setting, where support is available for individuals in every stage of aging and cognitive health.
For more information or to schedule a personalized visit, call (413) 525-6363 or visit www. elmmemorycareassistedliving.org. n
AMR Springfield’s
COVID Testing
Program Extended
SPRINGFIELD — American Medical Response (AMR), the city of Springfield’s provider of medical transportation, announced in collaboration with Gov. Charlie Baker’s office, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno’s office, and Springfield Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris that it is extending the Stop the Spread COVID-19 test-
ing program at Eastfield Mall in Springfield through March 31, 2023.
Stop the Spread is a statewide strategic testing program in communities across Massachusetts that has continued to see a higher number of residents testing positive for COVID-19. Hundreds of people are being tested daily at the AMR site on Boston Road in Springfield.
Testing is available on a drive-through basis only at 1655 Boston Road, Springfield, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays and between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekends. For additional details about testing, visit www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread.
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