| Abstract | Pandemija pretilosti stavila je u prvi plan znanstveni interes za međudjelovanje prehrane i osjeta
njuha i okusa. To su vrlo kompleksni osjeti, a nalaze se pod utjecajem različitih čimbenika, pa
tako i menstruacijskog ciklusa (MC). Glavni cilj ovog istraživanja bio pomiriti proturječna
izvješća i rezultate iz prethodnih studija o utjecaju MC na funkcije osjeta njuha i okusa. U
istraživanje je uključeno šest skupina. Glavnu istraživanu skupinu su sačinjavale žene testirane
tijekom četiri uzastopne faze istog MC (središnja folikularna, ovulatorna, središnja lutealna, i
kasna lutealna faza; N = 21). Najvažnija kontrolna skupina su bile žene testirane kroz istovjetne
faze, ali pripadajući dvoma uzastopnim MC (N = 29). Dodatne kontrolne skupine sačinjavali su
muškarci (N = 17), postmenopauzalne žene (N = 14), korisnice oralne hormonske kontracepcije
(N = 10) i žene sa anovulatornim ciklusom (N = 8). Korištenjem “Sniffin Sticks“ testa mjerili
smo prag, razlikovanje i prepoznavanje mirisa, kao i ukupnu sposobnost osjeta njuha (Threshold,
Discrimination, and Identification Score; TDI zbroj). Za procjenu percepcije osjeta okusa,
mjeren je intenzitet okusa iznad praga, kao i hedonistička vrijednost za slatki, slani, kiseli i gorki
okus, korištenjem vodenih otopina primjerenih supstrata (saharoza, kuhinjska sol, vitamin C i
kinin hidroklorid). Jednosmjerna ANOVA, kao i ANOVA za ponavljana mjerenja primijenjene
su u analizi podataka, zajedno s analizom prisustva linearnog i trigonometrijskog trenda, uz
dodatno korištenje regresijske analize podataka (linearni mješoviti model). Otkriven je linearni
porast u sposobnosti razlikovanja i prepoznavanja mirisa, kao i u TDI zbroju samo u ispitanica
praćenih kroz jedan cjeloviti MC. U usporedbi s ostalim skupinama, ove su ispitanice prikazale i
ciklički obrazac sklonosti prema slatkoj otopini, reduciranoj odbojnosti prema slanoj i kiseloj
otopini, kao i povišenje ocjene intenziteta slanog, kiseloga i gorkoga okusa prema kraju MC. Ovi
rezultati upućuju na specifičnost hormonskog miljea svakog cjelovitog menstruacijskog ciklusa,
koji bi mogao imati utjecaja na sposobnosti percepcije osjeta okusa i njuha. Ovi rezultati svakako
trebaju potvrdu u daljnjim istraživanjima. U međuvremenu, rezultati ove studije mogu biti od
velike metodološke važnosti za buduća istraživanja o povezanosti između osjetilne percepcije,
preferencija prema različitim namirnicama i unosa hrane. |
| Abstract (english) | The obesity pandemic has inspired scientific interest in identifying association between food
intake and sensory perception in animals and humans. Previous studies have shown that both
olfactory and gustatory perception are very complex, and affected by many factors, including the
menstrual cycle. However, many studies also yielded opposite results or found lack of relevant
associations. This study aims to clarify conflicting findings found in the literature on the
influence of the menstrual cycle on olfactory and gustatory perception. The main study group
included women who were assessed during four consecutive phases of one complete cycle,
starting with mid-follicular, ovulatory, mid-luteal, and late luteal phase (N = 21), in contrast to
women measured across the same phases belonging to two menstrual cycles (N = 29). Additional
control groups included men (N = 17), postmenopausal women (N = 14), oral contraceptive
users (N = 10), and women with an anovulatory cycle (N = 8). Olfactory threshold, odor
discrimination, and identification were tested using the “Sniffin Sticks“ test kit, and TDI score
(Threshold, Discrimination, and Identification Score) was also calculated. Suprathreshold
intensity perception and hedonic ratings for sweet, salty, sour, and bitter solutions were assessed,
using approriate testants (sucrose, sodium chloride, L-ascorbic acid, and quinine HCl). One-way
ANOVA and ANOVA for repeated measurements was used in the statistical analysis, along with
linear and trigonometric data fitting. Additionally, regression analysis was performed, using the
linear mixed models. Linear increases in olfactory discrimination, identification, and overall
olfactory performance (TDI score) were observed only in women followed across one complete
menstrual cycle. Compared to other groups, these women also displayed a cyclic pattern
characterized by a propensity for sweet solution; reduced distaste for salty and sour solutions;
and increased intensity perception of salty, sour, and bitter solutions towards the end of the cycle.
These results suggest that a distinct hormonal milieu of a complete menstrual cycle may be
affecting both olfactory and gustatory perception in healthy women. However, this should be
confirmed in further studies. Nonetheless, the findings of this study may be of great
methodological importance for future studies focusing on the association between sensory
perception and food preferences, and food intake. |
