title: Taste sensitivity to PTC and thyroid function (FT4 and TSH) in high- and low-altitude Kirghiz populations in the Pamir.
abstract: PTC taste sensitivity distribution, determined using the Harris and Kalmus method, and analysis of thyroid activity using FT4 and TSH hormone assays were studied in a sample of 108 high-altitude subjects (3200 m) and in 90 lowlanders (900 m) from two different regions of Kirghizstan (Central Asia). All subjects were healthy Kirghiz males. In agreement with other available data on Kirghiz populations, a higher nontaster frequency was found in the high-altitude subjects. Furthermore, the results of our study indicate no association between thyroid function, PTC sensitivity, and age in both samples. No difference in thyroid function indicators was noted between highlanders and lowlanders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Evolutionary Biology, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pettener
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rimondi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sichimbaeva
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riva
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salvi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pretolani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fiori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000531:Altitude; D001209:Asia, Central; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000172:deficiency*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010670:Phenylthiourea; D013649:Taste / Q000235:genetics*; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood*; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010670:Phenylthiourea; D013972:Thyrotropin; D007455:Iodine; D013974:Thyroxine