EFFECTS OF METABOLIC INHIBITORS ON TASTE RESPONSES IN THE CHORDA TYMPANI NERVE OF RATS

抄録

Effects of metabolic inhibitors (sodium cyanide, sodium azide and DNP) on taste response in the chorda tympani nerve of rats were studied, when they were applied on the tongue with or without taste solutions.
DNP depressed taste responses but not other inhibitors. When DNP was neutralized by NaOH, its depressive action disappeared. Similar depression of taste responses was observed by addition of HCl to taste solutions. Therefore, the depression by DNP was attributed to its low pH effect. It is concluded that taste responses are not affected by these metabolic inhibitors.
The enzyme hypothesis of taste receptor stimulation was discussed, based on the results of the present experiments.