In a surprising discovery, scientists found that the heart has “sweet” receptors, similar to those on our tongue, and stimulating these receptors with sweet substances can regulate the heartbeat. This study opens new avenues to understand cardiac function and potentially develop new treatments for heart failure.
Although taste receptors have traditionally been associated with the tongue and our ability to perceive taste, recent research has shown that these receptors are present in other parts of the body and they may play different roles. The new study is the first to identify specific “sweet” receptors, namely Tas1r2 and Tas1r3, on the surface of cardiomyocytes. This work will be held at the 69th Annual Meeting of the Biophysics Association in Los Angeles from February 15 to 19, 2025.
New research has found that these receptors are not only present on the myocardium, but also function. When the researchers used Aspartame, a common artificial sweetener, to stimulate these receptors in human and mouse heart cells, they observed a significant increase in the power of myocardial contraction and accelerated calcium processing—a key process for a healthy heartbeat.
“After eating, it has been shown that your heart rate and blood pressure are actually increasing,” said Micah Yoder, a graduate student in Jonathan Kirk’s lab at Loyola University in Chicago. “Previously, this was considered the neural axis of signaling. However, we proposed more direct consequences, after meals, our blood sugar peaks, which binds to these sweet receptors on cardiomyocytes, resulting in a difference in heartbeat.” Added.
Interestingly, the researchers also found that these receptors are more abundant in the hearts of patients with heart failure, suggesting that there may be a link to the disease. Further research shows that stimulating receptors trigger a series of molecular events in the heart cells, involving key proteins that control calcium flow and muscle contraction.
“During heart failure, the heart is changing the landscape of its energy and prioritizes glucose absorption and glucose use. So, in this vibrant change, the heart may need to change its nutritional perception to adapt to this switch.” Yoder explained.
Furthermore, their research may explain why a large number of artificial sweetened beverages are associated with arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat. Yoder noted that these sweet receptors were not only stimulated by artificial sweeteners like Aspartame, he found that overstimulation of these sweet receptors leads to irregular behavior in the heart’s cells. increase.
However, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of stimulating these receptors in the heart and how these receptors are targeted to enhance the heart in the case of heart failure.
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