Disfunções gustativas e comprometimento neuroimune: impactos da exposição crônica à toxinas ambientais

Abstract

The gustatory system, traditionally associated with taste perception and chemical evaluation of food, also participates in functions related to metabolic homeostasis, innate immunity, and cellular defense through receptors distributed across different tissues. In this context, persistent environmental contaminants, such as heavy metals, organophosphate pesticides, microplastics, and nanoplastics, have been investigated for their ability to induce oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, intestinal dysbiosis, and functional alterations in specialized sensory systems. The present study aimed to analyze, through a narrative literature review, the relationship between chronic exposure to environmental toxins, gustatory physiology, and associated neuroimmune mechanisms. For this purpose, a bibliographic survey was conducted using national and international databases, prioritizing publications from 2020 to 2026, as well as institutional documents relevant to the topic. The analysis showed that taste receptors, especially members of the TAS1R and TAS2R families, perform systemic functions that go beyond oral sensory perception, participating in immune responses, metabolic regulation, and maintenance of epithelial integrity. It was also demonstrated that environmental contaminants have the potential to trigger persistent neurobiological alterations capable of impairing gustatory function and promoting broader pathological processes. It is concluded that gustatory alterations may represent important early biomarkers of systemic impairment induced by prolonged toxic exposure, expanding diagnostic, preventive, and environmental health surveillance perspectives.