Theophylline increases saliva sonic hedgehog and improves taste dysfunction.

Objective: To determine changes in saliva sonic hedgehog (Shh) and in taste dysfunction before and after oral theophylline treatment.

Design: Shh was measured in parotid saliva of both normal subjects and patients with taste dysfunction of multiple etiologies by use of a sensitive spectrophotometric ELISA assay. Taste dysfunction was defined clinically by both subjective inhibition of taste function (including acuity loss) and impaired gustometry.

Sonic hedgehog is present in parotid saliva and is decreased in patients with taste dysfunction.

Purpose: To demonstrate that sonic hedgehog (Shh) is present in human parotid saliva and is decreased in human taste dysfunction.

Methods: Shh was measured in parotid saliva of 27 normal subjects and 81 patients with taste dysfunction of multiple etiologies using a sensitive spectrophotometric ELISA assay. Taste dysfunction was defined clinically both by subjective decreases of taste acuity and flavor perception and by impaired gustometry.

A genetic marker of the ACKR1 gene is present in patients with Type II congenital smell loss who have type I hyposmia and hypogeusia.

Purpose: Our previous study of Type II congenital smell loss patients revealed a statistically significant lower prevalence of an FY (ACKR1, formerly DARC) haplotype compared to controls. The present study correlates this genetic feature with subgroups of patients defined by specific smell and taste functions.

Methods: Smell and taste function measurements were performed by use of olfactometry and gustometry to define degree of abnormality of smell and taste function.

Improved smell function with increased nasal mucus sonic hedgehog in hyposmic patients after treatment with oral theophylline.

Purpose: We previously demonstrated the presence of sonic hedgehog (Shh) in nasal mucus in normal subjects and in patients with smell loss (hyposmia). Nasal mucus Shh levels were found significantly diminished in untreated hyposmic patients of multiple etiologies. Since treatment with oral theophylline has been previously associated with improvement in smell function we wished to study if such treatment increased nasal mucus Shh as well as improved smell function in patients with hyposmia.

Erythrocyte membrane antigen frequencies in patients with Type II congenital smell loss.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether there are genetic factors associated with Type II congenital smell loss.

Study Design: The expression frequencies of 16 erythrocyte antigens among patients with Type II congenital smell loss were determined and compared to those of a large control group.

Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 99 patients with Type II congenital smell loss.