TAS2R38 gene in relation to Helicobacter pylori infection and blood groups in different age groups

Of the factors predisposing to gastric cancer is Helicobacter pylori infection affecting more than 50% of the general population. Genetic variation is an established player in certain diseases susceptibility. TAS2R38 gene polymorphisms have been found to influence bitter taste ability to chemicals with malicious characteristics and consequently affect metabolism and disease development. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between TAS2R38 gene polymorphisms and H. pylori seropositivity. The study involved 105 apparently healthy individuals. They were grouped into four groups according to their age and gender; young male, young female, middle-aged male and middle-aged female. All groups were tested for H. pylori serum antibody using screening rapid test. Participants were also tested for tasting PTC for TAS2R38 gene detection by using Bartovation PTC test paper and grouped accordingly into: homozygote (highly bitter taste), heterozygote (slight to moderate bitter taste), or negative gene carrier (no taste at all). ABO and Rhesus- blood grouping was determined by standard serological analysis. Of the 105 patients, 22.85% were tested homozygotes for TAS2R38 gene, 40.95% were heterozygotes and 36.19% were nontasters, no significant difference (p > 0.9). H. pylori seropositivity was encountered in 16.19% of the whole participants, 11.5% of the male participants and 20.75% of the female participants (p > 0.9). No significant difference in seropositivity was monitored among the four age groups (p > 0.3) and the ABO/Rh blood groups (p > 0.9). A lack of significant correlation (r = 0.046) between H. pylori antibody test positivity and tasting PTC (TAS2R38 gene) was reported. Similarly, no association was found between PTC tasting and participants' ABO blood grouping, age or gender (r = 0.086, 0.083 and 0.029, respectively). Yet, weak negative (reverse) relationship (r = -0.29, p-value = 0.002) was gained between PTC and Rh grouping. No correlation was revealed between TAS2R38 polymorphism and the studied variable; age, gender and blood group indicating the absence of an apparent role of the gene in vulnerability to H. pylori infection. Further studies involving a larger sample size is required to confirm the obtained result.