L'obésité est devenue l'un des problèmes de santé publique les plus importants de ce siècle. Un certain nombre de facteurs génétiques et environnementaux contribuent au développement de cette pathologie. L'apport alimentaire quotidien est également l'un des facteurs cruciaux. Une consommation excessive de graisse alimentaire a été jugée essentielle dans le développement de l'obésité. Au cours des deux dernières décennies, plusieurs études ont montré que la détection de graisse orale joue un rôle important dans le développement de l'obésité. Pour prouver une relation entre l'obésité, la détection de graisse orale et les polymorphismes génétiques, nous avons recruté des enfants, des adolescents et des sujets adultes de trois populations différentes. À ce jour, le gène CD36 code le récepteur du goût gras le plus prometteur. De plus, nous avons étudié une relation possible entre le goût gras et le goût amer. Les résultats globaux montrent que les goûts amers et gras sont modifiés chez les personnes obèses. De plus, les polymorphismes CD36 ont une influence significative à la fois, la détection orale et l'obésité. Nos résultats pourraient aider à mieux comprendre une relation entre l'obésité, le goût et les polymorphismes génétiques. / Obesity has become one of most important public health issue in this century. A number of genetic and environmental factors contribute to development of this pathology. Daily dietary intake is also one of the crucial factors. Excessive dietary fat intake has been shown to be critical in the development of obesity. In the last two decades, several studies have shown that oral fat sensing plays an important role in the development of obesity. To prove a relationship between obesity, oral fat sensing and genetic polymorphisms, we recruited children, adolescents and adult subjects from three different populations. To date, CD36 gene encodes the most promising fat taste receptor. Furthermore, we studied a possible relationship between fat taste and bitter taste. Overall results show that bitter and fat tastes are altered in obese individuals. Moreover, CD36 polymorphisms have a significant influence in both, oral sensing and obesity. Our results might help better understand a relationship between obesity, taste and genetic polymorphisms.

L'obésité constitue l'un des principaux problèmes de santé publique en ce début du 21ème siècle. Sa prévalence augmente régulièrement, en particulier chez les enfants. Ce constat n'est pas anodin car l'obésité est généralement associée à diverses pathologies graves (diabète de type 2, hypertension et cancer,…). Ainsi, des investigations sur les mécanismes impliqués dans la perception gustative des lipides alimentaires pourraient éclairer leurs rôles dans l’incidence de l’obésité.Plusieurs études ont démontré le rôle des endocannabinoïdes et des aliments amers dans l’obésité. Ainsi, nous avons étudié l’interaction (cross-talk) des récepteurs cannabinoïdes et du goût amer avec le goût lipidique. Cette thèse comporte ainsi deux volets : les récepteurs cannabinoïdes (CB1R), le goût amer et leurs interactions avec les récepteurs lipidiques.Dans la première partie, nous avons étudié le rôle régulateur de CB1R. Dans la présente étude, des tests comportementaux sur des souris CB1R-/- et des souris de type sauvage (WT) ont montré que l'invalidation du gène Cb1r était associée à une faible préférence pour les solutions contenant de l'huile de colza ou un acide gras à longue chaîne (AGLC) tel que l’acide linoléique (LA). L'administration de rimonabant, un agoniste-inverse de CB1R, chez la souris a également entraîné une faible préférence pour les acides gras alimentaires. Aucune différence dans l'expression des protéines CD36 et GPR120 n'a été observée dans les cellules des papilles gustatives des souris WT et CB1R-/-. La signalisation calcique via CD36 dans les cellules des papilles gustatives des souris CB1R-/- diminue de façon significative par rapport à celle observée dans les cellules gustatives des souris WT. Les cellules des papilles gustatives des souris CB1R-/- présentent également une diminution significative de l'ARNm de Pro-glucagon et de Glp-1r et un faible niveau basal de GLP-1. Nous rapportons que CB1R est impliqué dans la perception du goût du gras via la signalisation calcique et la sécrétion de GLP-1.Dans la seconde partie, nous avons d’abord caractérisé le phénotype de cellules fongiformes humaines (HTC-8). En effet, le projet de ma thèse comprend la caractérisation à l’échelle moléculaire des récepteurs amers et lipidiques et leur cross-talk dans ces cellules (collaboration BRAIN, Allemagne). Nous avons démontré que les cellules HTC-8 expriment PLCβ2 et l’α-gustducin à l’échelle des ARNm et des protéines. Elles expriment également TAS2R16 et TAS2R38 et ces mêmes cellules co-expriment CD36 et GPR120. Puis, nous avons étudié la signalisation via ces récepteurs en utilisant l’acide linoléique, un agoniste de CD36 et GPR120, la sinigrin, agoniste de TAS2R16 et TAS2R38, la salicin, agoniste du récepteur TAS2R16 et le phénylthiocarbamide, agoniste du récepteur TAS2R38. De plus, les études du signal calcique ont démontré que la signalisation en aval du goût gras partage une voie commune avec la signalisation en aval du goût amer, mettant en évidence un cross-talk entre ces deux modalités gustatives.Bien que nous ayons montré le cross-talk entre les modalités gustatives amère et lipidique, il nous reste à étudier ces phénomènes à l’échelle de l’organisme. Ces résultats, d’ores et déjà, montrent que le goût amer et le récepteur cannabinoïde-1 sont liés à la sensibilité au goût du gras et doivent être pris en compte pour la gestion de l'obésité. / Obesity is one of the major public health problems at the beginning of the 21st century. Its prevalence is increasing steadily, especially among children. This observation is not insignificant because obesity is generally associated with various serious pathologies (type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer, etc.). Thus, investigations into the mechanisms involved in the taste perception of dietary lipids could shed light on their roles in the incidence of obesity.Several studies have demonstrated the role of endocannabinoids and bitter foods in obesity. Thus, we studied the cross-talk of cannabinoid receptors and bitter taste with lipid taste. This thesis has two components: cannabinoid receptors (CB1R), bitter taste and their interactions with lipid receptors.In the first part, we studied the regulatory role of CB1R. In the present study, behavioral tests on CB1R-/- mice and wild-type (WT) mice showed that the invalidation of the Cb1r gene was associated with a low preference for solutions containing rapeseed oil or a long chain fatty acid (LCFA) such as linoleic acid (LA). Administration of rimonabant, a CB1R inverse agonist, in mice also resulted in a low preference for dietary fatty acids. No differences in the expression of CD36 and GPR120 proteins were observed in the taste buds cells of the WT and CB1R-/- mice. Calcium signaling via CD36 in the taste bud cells of CB1R-/- mice decreased significantly compared with those observed in the taste cells of WT mice. The taste bud cells of CB1R-/- mice also show a significant decrease in Pro-glucagon and Glp-1r mRNA and a low basal level of GLP-1. We report that CB1R is involved in the perception of fat taste via calcium signaling and secretion of GLP-1.In the second part, we first characterized the phenotype of human fungiform cells (HTC-8). Indeed, the project of my thesis includes the characterization on the molecular scale of bitter and lipid receptors and their cross-talk in these cells (collaboration BRAIN, Germany). We have demonstrated that HTC-8 cells express PLCβ2 and α-gustducin at the mRNA and protein level. They also express TAS2R16 and TAS2R38 and these same cells co-express CD36 and GPR120. Then, we studied signaling via these receptors using linoleic acid, a CD36 and GPR120 agonist, sinigrin, TAS2R16 agonist and TAS2R38, salicin, TAS2R16 receptor agonist, and phenylthiocarbamide, TAS2R38 receptor agonist. In addition, calcium signal studies have shown that downstream fatty signaling shares a common path with downstream bitter taste signaling, highlighting a cross-talk between these two taste modalities.Although we have shown the cross-talk between bitter and lipid taste modalities, we still have to study these phenomena at the level of the organism. These results, already, show that the bitter taste and the cannabinoid-1 receptor are related to the taste sensitivity of fat and must be taken into account for the management of obesity

Des études chez le rongeur et l’Homme ont montré que la détection orosensorielle des lipides alimentaires implique une dimension gustative. Deux lipido récepteurs candidats sont présents dans les bourgeons du goût : CD36, dont l’implication dans le « goût du gras » a été démontrée par des études menées au laboratoire chez la souris, et GPR120. Les travaux de cette thèse ont montré que le GPR120 n’intervient pas directement dans cette détection, mais permettrait de moduler la sensibilité aux lipides. Ce système gustatif permet d’adapter les choix alimentaires aux besoins énergétiques tout en satisfaisant au plaisir de la consommation d’aliments palatables. Cependant, les personnes obèses surconsomment les aliments riches en énergie. S’il existe des perturbations centrales des mécanismes de récompense, nos résultats suggèrent que le système de détection périphérique des lipides est aussi altéré chez les souris obèses. Une diminution réversible de la sensibilité gustative pour les lipides est observée chez des souris rendues obèses par un régime riche en acides gras saturés, conséquence d’une dérégulation de la signalisation calcique CD36-dépendante dans les papilles gustatives. Pour déterminer l’origine de ces perturbations, le rôle de l’endotoxémie métabolique (due à une augmentation du LPS plasmatique provenant du microbiote intestinal) observée lors de l’obésité a été testé. Nous avons montré que, pris hors du contexte de l’obésité, l’endotoxémie bas-bruit est insuffisante pour altérer à elle-seule la détection orale des lipides. L’origine de cette altération est donc multifactorielle, impliquant probablement une combinaison de modifications hormonales et inflammatoires. / Dietary lipids are detected by the gustatory system in rodents and humans. Two candidate lipid-receptors are found in taste buds: CD36, which is involved in the fat taste as shown by studies conducted in our laboratory, and GPR120. Our results show that GPR120 is not directly involved in the gustatory detection of lipids in mice, but could rather be involved in the modulation of the sensitivity for fat. When this gustatory system works properly, food choices can meet the organism’s energy needs. Besides, the pleasure brought by the consumption of palatable foods is satisfied. However, obese people often overconsume energy-dense food. In the central nervous system, perturbations of the reward mechanisms have been observed, but our data show that the peripheral detection system is also altered in obese mice. A reversible decrease in the gustatory sensitivity for lipids has been found in diet-induced obese mice (diet rich in saturated fatty acids). This phenomenon is the consequence of a deficiency in the regulation of the CD36-dependant calcium signaling in gustatory papillae. To determine the origin of these perturbations, the role of obese-associated metabolic endotoxemia (characterized by an increase in plasma LPS coming from the intestinal microbiota) was investigated. We showed that low-grade endotoxemia, when studied outside of the context of obesity, is insufficient to trigger an alteration of the oral lipid detection. The origin of this alteration is therefore multifactorial, probably involving a combination of hormonal and inflammatory modifications.

En dépit des efforts déployés, l'incidence de l'obésité est en augmentation dans le monde entier où la consommation d‘aliments moins coûteux et hyperénergétiquesriches en matières grasses, représente la principale cause. Des études récentes ont révélé l'existence d'un goût de gras et que l'envie de le satisfaire pourrait être responsable de l‘excès des prises alimentaires et de l'attirance pour les aliments riches en gras. Différentes stratégies ont été utilisées pour réduire la teneur engraisse des aliments ou pour la remplacer par des mimétiques et des substituts de graisse. Dans cette thèse, nous avons non seulement exploré des mécanismes de signalisation tels que le rôle des canaux TRPC3 Ca2+ dans les cellules du bourgeon gustatif, mais nous avons également tenté de rechercher de nouvelles classes de molécules artificielles et naturelles, d‘origines végétales, qui pourraient agir comme exhausteurs de goût ou comme activateurs du goût. Sur la base des résultats obtenus par des études biochimiques et comportementales au cours de la thèse actuelle, nous proposons que Zizyphine purifié à partir de Zizyphus lotus, d‘acide oléanolique et de TUG891 (un agoniste chimique de GPR120) puissent être un candidat novateur et prometteur pour le traitement et la prévention de l'obésité et du syndrome métabolique qui lui est associé. / Despite efforts, the incidence of obesity is on a rise throughout the world andconsumption of less expensive fat rich and high energy diet remains the major cause.Recent studies have successfully unveiled the existence of a fat taste, and that theurge to satisfy it might be responsible for the overeating behaviour and attractiontowards fat rich foods. Different strategies have been used to reduce fat content offood or replace it with fat mimetics and fat replacers. In this dissertation, we have not only explored signalling mechanisms like role of TRPC3 Ca2+ channels in taste bud cells but also tried to search for newer classes of molecules from botanical and chemical origin that might either act as fat taste enhancers, or fat taste activators. Based on the result of various biochemical and behavioural studies during the current dissertation, we propose that Zizyphin purified from Zizyphus lotus,Oleanolic acid and TUG891 (a chemical agonist of GPR120), might be novel andpromising candidates for the treatment and prevention of obesity and associatedmetabolic syndrome.

<p>  </p> <p>Appetitive sensations are widely viewed as important signals for eating decisions. Intra- and inter-individual variability have been reported in short-term studies, but it is still unknown whether individual differences are consistent over time and, whether individuals at the appetite extremes vary in energy intake. Therefore, a seventeen-week observational study was conducted to examine the stability of appetitive sensations (hunger, fullness, and thirst), implications of individual differences in appetite on energy intake and eating patterns, as well as associations between appetitive sensations and selected individual characteristics (age, gender, BMI). </p> <p>Ninety-seven (90 completers) healthy adults recorded the intensity of their hunger, fullness, and thirst hourly during all waking hours and reported their energy intake  for three days at weeks 1, 9 and 17. There were marked and stable inter-individual differences for each sensation over the 17 weeks: hunger (ANOVA, p<0.001, correlation coefficients of ratings between weeks: week 1 vs week 9, r=0.72 (p<0.001), week 1 vs week 17, r=0.67 (p<0.001), week 9 vs week 17, r=0.77 (p<0.001)), fullness (ANOVA, p<0.001, correlation coefficients of ratings between weeks: week 1 vs week 9 r=0.74 (p<0.001), week 1 vs week 17, r=0.71 (p<0.001), week 9 vs week 17, r=0.81 (p<0.001)), and thirst (ANOVA, p<0.001, correlation coefficients of ratings between weeks: week 1 vs week 9 r=0.82 (p<0.001), week 1 vs week 17, r=0.81 (p<0.001), week 9 vs week 17, r=0.88 (p<0.001)). Cross-correlation functions revealed energy intake and eating pattern exerted stronger effects on appetitive sensations than the reverse. However, the absolute effect sizes of the directional effects were small. No robust effects of the studied individual characteristics (gender, age, BMI) were observed. The primary finding is that acute and chronic sensations of hunger, fullness and thirst are stable across individuals, but are poor predictors of energy intake. </p> <p>This dissertation focuses on the study above, but as part of the training experience, two additional studies were conducted. One entailed appetite concept training to improve the validity of appetite measurements. A potential barrier to accurate appetite measurement is low conceptual understanding by study participants and resulting poor sensitivity and accuracy of responses. While each appetitive sensation is independent and has a unique definition, reported similar patterns between appetitive sensations in multiple studies raise questions about whether participants fully comprehend appetite concepts and provide accurate responses. To overcome this potential limitation, appetite concept materials were developed, and two groups of individuals were provided training either with these materials or unrelated sensory information followed by measurement of appetite responses to five different pre-loads. This study terminated early due to the COVID-19 pandemic and thus we cannot draw a conclusion for now due to the limited number of participants.  </p> <p>A second study sought to gain insights on the sensory qualities of fatty acids as part of an effort to determine if oral fat detection is based, in part, on gustatory cues. It has been argued that if fat taste is a primary, the sensations imparted by fats should yield unique percepts and these may be determined by fatty acid chain length. In particular, because acids impart a sour taste, free fatty acids may simply be detected as sour. The fat taste study entailed measurement of intensity ratings with or without sour adaptation (to assess sour notes), tongue locations of taste detection, and subjective descriptors of fatty acids. This study examined intensity and quality ratings of NEFA's ranging from C2 to C18. Oral sites and the time course of sensations were also monitored. Given all NEFA contain carboxylic acid moieties capable of donating hydrogen ions, the primary stimulus for sour taste, testing was conducted with and without sour adaptation to explore the contribution of sour taste across the range of NEFA. Short chain NEFA (C2-C6) were rated as predominantly sour, and this was diminished in C2 and C4 by sour adaptation. Medium chain NEFA (C8-C12) were rated as mainly irritating with long chain NEFA (C18) described mostly as bitter. The latter may reflect the lack of “fatty” lexicon to describe the sensation. Short chain NEFA were mostly localized to the anterior tongue and were of rapid onset. The sensation from medium chain NEFA was attributed to the lateral tongue while medium and long chain NEFA sensations were predominantly localized to the back of the tongue and throat and had a longer lag time. The findings indicate there is a systematic transition of NEFA taste quality and irritation with increments in chain length and this is consistent with multiple modes of transduction.</p>

INTRODUÇÃO: A obesidade infantil é um importante problema de saúde pública e apresenta impacto direto na qualidade de vida das crianças e adolescentes, bem como no desenvolvimento futuro de doenças crônicas. O padrão alimentar rico em gordura e açúcar, e com baixo aporte de fibra dietética, vitaminas e minerais é reconhecido como fator de risco para o surgimento da obesidade, no entanto os fatores que contribuem para a preferência por alimentos ricos nestes nutrientes não são bem estabelecidos. O sabor dos alimentos é reconhecido como um importante preditor das escolhas alimentares, e os polimorfismos nos genes que codificam os receptores do sabor podem explicar a variabilidade da preferência e consumo alimentar na população. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência de polimorfismos de genes de receptores de sabor gorduroso (CD36), doce (TAS1R2) e amargo (TAS2R38) no consumo alimentar e no perfil metabólico de crianças e adolescentes obesos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 668 crianças e adolescentes obesos e um grupo controle de 135 crianças eutróficas, de ambos os gêneros. Foi realizado o estudo molecular dos polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNPs) rs1761667 e rs1527483 do CD36, rs9701796 e rs35874116 do TAS1R2, e rs1726866 e rs713598 do TAS2R38, bem como análise do consumo alimentar e perfil metabólico. RESULTADOS: Em relação ao CD36, o alelo A do rs1761667 relacionou-se com menor consumo de lipídios totais, gorduras poli e monoinsaturadas, consumo de alimentos de sabor gorduroso, ingestão de óleos vegetais e açúcares totais em obesos. O alelo A do rs1527483 associou-se com menor percentil de pressão arterial diastólica, menor massa gorda e maior massa livre de gordura em obesos. Quanto ao gene TAS1R2, a variante rs9701796 teve maior risco metabólico segundo a razão circunferência da cintura-estatura (RCE), bem como relação com maior consumo de achocolatado em pó em obesos. Já a variante rs35874116 mostrou relação com a menor ingestão de fibras dietéticas em obesos. No TAS2R38, o alelo G do rs1726866 foi associado com menor consumo de gorduras monoinsaturadas e maior consumo de açúcares totais, em obesos. O alelo G do rs713598 mostrou relação com maior consumo de carboidratos, consumo de alimentos de sabor doce, refrigerantes e menor ingestão de fibras pelos indivíduos eutróficos. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve relação entre genótipos e risco de obesidade. Os achados mostram a associação entre polimorfismos dos genes de receptores de sabor com o consumo alimentar, indicando diferenças entre obesos e magros, e alelos de proteção e de risco cardiometabólico, respectivamente dos genes CD36 e TAS1R2 / BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a major public health problem and it has a direct impact on the quality of life of children and adolescents, as well as the future risk for development of chronic diseases. The dietary pattern rich in fats and sugars associated to the low intake of dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals is widespread for the rise of obesity. However the factors that contribute to the preference for foods rich in these nutrients are not well established. Taste is recognized as an important predictor of food choices, and polymorphisms in genes encoding its receptors may explain the variability of taste preference and food intake on population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of polymorphisms of fat (CD36), sweet (TAS1R2) and bitter (TAS2R38) taste receptor genes in diet and metabolic profile in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 668 obese children and adolescents and a control group of 135 normal-weight children. The molecular study was made for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1761667 and rs1527483 of CD36, rs9701796 and rs35874116 of TAS1R2, rs1726866 and rs713598 of TAS2R38, and the analysis of food intake and metabolic profile. RESULTS: In relation to CD36, the A allele of rs1761667 was associated with lower intake of total fat, poly and monounsaturated fats, consumption of fatty flavor food, intake of vegetable oils and total sugars in obese. The A allele of rs1527483 was associated with lower percentile of diastolic blood pressure, lower fat mass and increased fat-free mass in obese. Regarding TAS1R2 gene, the variant rs9701796 was associated to increased metabolic risk according to waist-height ratio, as well as with higher consumption of chocolate powder in obese. The variant rs35874116 showed a lower intake of dietary fiber. In TAS2R38, the G allele of rs1726866 was associated with a lower intake of monounsaturated fat and a higher intake of total sugars in obese. The G allele of rs713598 was related to the higher carbohydrate intake, consumption of sweet tasting food, soda drinks and less fiber intake by normal weight children. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between genotypes and risk of obesity. The findings show the association between polymorphisms of taste receptor genes with dietary intake, indicating differences between obese and lean children, as well as the protective and risk alleles for cardiometabolic risk in CD36 and TAS1R2, respectively

INTRODUÇÃO: A obesidade infantil é um importante problema de saúde pública e apresenta impacto direto na qualidade de vida das crianças e adolescentes, bem como no desenvolvimento futuro de doenças crônicas. O padrão alimentar rico em gordura e açúcar, e com baixo aporte de fibra dietética, vitaminas e minerais é reconhecido como fator de risco para o surgimento da obesidade, no entanto os fatores que contribuem para a preferência por alimentos ricos nestes nutrientes não são bem estabelecidos. O sabor dos alimentos é reconhecido como um importante preditor das escolhas alimentares, e os polimorfismos nos genes que codificam os receptores do sabor podem explicar a variabilidade da preferência e consumo alimentar na população. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência de polimorfismos de genes de receptores de sabor gorduroso (CD36), doce (TAS1R2) e amargo (TAS2R38) no consumo alimentar e no perfil metabólico de crianças e adolescentes obesos. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 668 crianças e adolescentes obesos e um grupo controle de 135 crianças eutróficas, de ambos os gêneros. Foi realizado o estudo molecular dos polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNPs) rs1761667 e rs1527483 do CD36, rs9701796 e rs35874116 do TAS1R2, e rs1726866 e rs713598 do TAS2R38, bem como análise do consumo alimentar e perfil metabólico. RESULTADOS: Em relação ao CD36, o alelo A do rs1761667 relacionou-se com menor consumo de lipídios totais, gorduras poli e monoinsaturadas, consumo de alimentos de sabor gorduroso, ingestão de óleos vegetais e açúcares totais em obesos. O alelo A do rs1527483 associou-se com menor percentil de pressão arterial diastólica, menor massa gorda e maior massa livre de gordura em obesos. Quanto ao gene TAS1R2, a variante rs9701796 teve maior risco metabólico segundo a razão circunferência da cintura-estatura (RCE), bem como relação com maior consumo de achocolatado em pó em obesos. Já a variante rs35874116 mostrou relação com a menor ingestão de fibras dietéticas em obesos. No TAS2R38, o alelo G do rs1726866 foi associado com menor consumo de gorduras monoinsaturadas e maior consumo de açúcares totais, em obesos. O alelo G do rs713598 mostrou relação com maior consumo de carboidratos, consumo de alimentos de sabor doce, refrigerantes e menor ingestão de fibras pelos indivíduos eutróficos. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve relação entre genótipos e risco de obesidade. Os achados mostram a associação entre polimorfismos dos genes de receptores de sabor com o consumo alimentar, indicando diferenças entre obesos e magros, e alelos de proteção e de risco cardiometabólico, respectivamente dos genes CD36 e TAS1R2 / BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a major public health problem and it has a direct impact on the quality of life of children and adolescents, as well as the future risk for development of chronic diseases. The dietary pattern rich in fats and sugars associated to the low intake of dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals is widespread for the rise of obesity. However the factors that contribute to the preference for foods rich in these nutrients are not well established. Taste is recognized as an important predictor of food choices, and polymorphisms in genes encoding its receptors may explain the variability of taste preference and food intake on population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of polymorphisms of fat (CD36), sweet (TAS1R2) and bitter (TAS2R38) taste receptor genes in diet and metabolic profile in obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 668 obese children and adolescents and a control group of 135 normal-weight children. The molecular study was made for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1761667 and rs1527483 of CD36, rs9701796 and rs35874116 of TAS1R2, rs1726866 and rs713598 of TAS2R38, and the analysis of food intake and metabolic profile. RESULTS: In relation to CD36, the A allele of rs1761667 was associated with lower intake of total fat, poly and monounsaturated fats, consumption of fatty flavor food, intake of vegetable oils and total sugars in obese. The A allele of rs1527483 was associated with lower percentile of diastolic blood pressure, lower fat mass and increased fat-free mass in obese. Regarding TAS1R2 gene, the variant rs9701796 was associated to increased metabolic risk according to waist-height ratio, as well as with higher consumption of chocolate powder in obese. The variant rs35874116 showed a lower intake of dietary fiber. In TAS2R38, the G allele of rs1726866 was associated with a lower intake of monounsaturated fat and a higher intake of total sugars in obese. The G allele of rs713598 was related to the higher carbohydrate intake, consumption of sweet tasting food, soda drinks and less fiber intake by normal weight children. CONCLUSION: There was no relationship between genotypes and risk of obesity. The findings show the association between polymorphisms of taste receptor genes with dietary intake, indicating differences between obese and lean children, as well as the protective and risk alleles for cardiometabolic risk in CD36 and TAS1R2, respectively