Effects of Aspartame on Maternal-Fetal and Placental Weights, Length of Umbilical Cord and Fetal Liver: A Kariometric Experimental Study

Abstract

Aspartame is a synthetic sweetener consumed by more than half the adult population in 75 countries. Their metabolites can be toxic, principally to the liver and retina, and there are few studies on the use of aspartame in gestation. Twenty pregnant rats were weighed and allocated randomly (n=5 per group) to receive 14 mg/kg aspartame or water by oralgastric drip. Treated T1: aspartame diluted in water at room temperature; Treated T2: aspartame diluted in water heated to 40º C; control C1: water at room temperature; and control C2: water heated to 40º C. Placentas were weighed, umbilical cords measured and 1000 nuclei of fetal hepatocytes (250 from each group) were analyzed morphometrically utilizing the technique of kariometry, with application of the Mann-Whitney U-Test. There were reductions in mean placental and maternal-fetal weights, in umbilical-cord length, and the majority of kariometric parameters of the hepatocytes in the group treated with aspartame diluted in distilled water at room temperature. Reduction of placental and maternal-fetal weights occurred, shortening of the umbilical cord, and decrease in kariometric parameters in fetal hepatocyte nuclei after administration of aspartame diluted in distilled water at 40ºC temperature. The use of aspartame during gestation can be prejudicial to the fetus.

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“…Aspartame consumption during gestation could be prejudicial to the fetus. Reduction in mean placental and maternal-fetal weights, in umbilical cord length and kariometric parameters in fetal hepatocyte nuclei majority of kariometric parameters of the hepatocytes were also well documented after aspartame treatment in rats [6]. In utero exposure of aspartame may affect spatial cognition and glucose homeostasis in mice, particularly in males [25].…”

“…Due to this property use of aspartame is recommended in the form of prescribe sugar free medicines whenever possible [4,5]. For these reasons, aspartame increasingly introduced into commonly consumed foods such as diet sodas, cereals and sugar-free desserts, yoghurt, chewing gums, syrups, mouth fresheners, candies, health drinks, nutritional supplements and are being recommended for weight loss and for individuals suffering from glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus [6].…”

Can the Intermittent Training Generate Alterations on the Liver Tissue of Rats Submitted to a Hyperlipidic Diet?

“…Chapados & Lavoie (2010) found that visceral fat mass levels of animals that exercised and were submitted to a hyperlipidic diet were lower at the end of the experimental phase in comparison to the visceral fat mass of animals Possibly, this phenomenon occurred in the hepatocyte nuclei of the SO group due to the accumulation of lipids (with consequent formation of steatohepatitis). Pórtela et al (2007), verified in pregnant rats that the administration of aspartame, diluted in distilled water at room temperature, also presented a decrease in the values of the variables related to the size of the hepatocyte nuclei compared to the control group, due to the toxicity of the substance on the liver. Batista et al (2006), in a caryometric study, observed the action of an infusion of Cayaponia tayuya on mice and found that the hepatocyte nuclei were higher than the nuclei of animals which had not been treated with the plant.…”

Aspartame: Effects and Awareness

“…4,5 For these reasons, aspartame increasingly introduced into commonly consumed foods such as diet sodas, cereals and sugar-free desserts, yoghurt, chewing gums, syrups, mouth fresheners, candies, health drinks, nutritional supplements and are being recommended for weight loss and for individuals suffering from glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. 6 …”

“…Reduction in mean placental and maternal-fetal weights, in umbilical cord length and kariometric parameters in fetal hepatocyte nuclei majority of kariometric parameters of the hepatocytes were also well documented after aspartame treatment in rats. 6 In utero exposure of aspartame may affect spatial cognition and glucose homeostasis in mice, particularly in males. 25 An increment in the body weight, transitory increases in the blood pressure and in plasma values of glucose and triglycerides alongside a transitory reduction in plasma urea was also reported after aspartame consumption.…”