The effect of aspartame on the pituitary thyroid axis of adult male albino rat and the possible protective effect of Pimpinella anisum oil

Abstract

BackgroundAspartame is a synthetic sweetener. Its metabolites can be toxic to many organs such as liver and kidney. Pimpinella anisum (P. anisum) has been used for different purposes as an antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory agent. AimThe present work was carried out to study the histological changes in the pituitary thyroid axis of adult male albino rats after aspartame treatment and the possible role of P. anisum in minimizing these changes. Materials and methodsTwenty-five adult male Albino rats were used. They were divided into three groups: group I was the control group, group II received 250 mg/kg/day aspartame once daily for 2 months, and group III received prophylactic P. anisum oil 0.5 ml/kg/day once daily, followed by aspartame after 2 h for 2 months. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed. The thyroid and pituitary gland tissue samples were processed for light microscopic and electron examination. Also, an immunohistochemical study was carried out for the detection of thyrotrophs. ResultsLight microscopic examination of aspartame-treated animal showed loss of architecture of the thyroid gland. Many follicles were small in size and others had disrupted wall and detached cells in their lumens. Some thyrocyte had pyknotic nuclei and deeply stained vacuolated cytoplasm. There was a highly significant increase in the number of positive immunostained thyroid-stimulating hormone cells. Most cells in pars distalis were hypertrophied with eccentric nuclei and a large negative Golgi image. The thyrotrophs and somatotrophs had dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, destroyed mitochondria, and few secretory granules. Some cells with secretory granules of both somatotrophs and thyrotrophs were frequently observed. The administration of P. anisum induced improvements in the degenerative changes of this axis. ConclusionFrom this study, it could be concluded that prolonged consumption of aspartame induced disturbance in the pituitary thyroid axis. The use of P. anisum decreased the toxic effect of aspartame.

Ameliorative Effect ofPimpinella anisumOil on Immunohistochemical and Ultrastuctural Changes of Cerebellum of Albino Rats Induced by Aspartame

“…It was found that anise could have a radical scavenging effect, inhibiting H 2 O 2 -chelating, and Fe 2+ -chelating activity by more than 70% [38]. Similar results were observed by El Haliem [22] who reported that the prolonged consumption of ASPinduced disturbance in the pituitary thyroid axis, where the use of P. anisum decreased the toxic effect of ASP.…”

“…Chemical studies have demonstrated that the aniseed contains anethole (85%) as an active ingredient, in addition to eugenol, methylchavicol, anisaldehyde, and estragole [21]. Pimpinella anisum has been used for different purposes as an antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory agent, and toxicity of the pituitary thyroid axis [22]. Pimpinella anisum may have therapeutic effects in diseases such as digestive, gynacologic, neurologic, and respiratory disorders [23].…”

Possible Protective Effect of Anisum Oil on Aspartame Induced Changes in Cerebellum of Albino Rats (Light and Electron Microscopic Study)

“…The anisum oil have a great radical chelating role through inhibiting Fe2+-chelating and H2O2-chelating activity up to 70% 25 . These results were observed also by El Haliem 26 who decided that long term use of ASP made alterations in the axis between pituitary and thyroid glands, but anisum oil lower bad effect that caused by long term use of ASP.…”

Evaluation of Some Male and Female Rats’ Reproductive Hormones Following Administration of Aspartame With or Without Vitamin C or E

“…Reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause DNA damage by speeding up cell death and lowering sperm cell counts, both of which are indications of male infertility (25).ROS attack polyunsaturated fatty acids on sperm membranes, causing remodeling of the biophysical properties and composition of the sperm membranes by altering their electron stability, membrane potential, and energy production capacity, which affects the production of reproductive hormones by the testes and ovaries (26). El-Haliem (27) found that ASP treatment causes enlargement of most cells in the pars distalis and causes histological alterations in the pituitary-thyroid axis in adult male albino rats, as well as reduced pituitary hormone production. Additionally, Puica et al (28) found that prolonged treatment of ASP to white Wistar rats at the pre-pubertal stage caused neurodegenerative consequences, particularly in the hypothalamus, as well as significant structural and functional changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.…”