Ultrastructural Changes to Rabbit Fibrin and Platelets Due to Aspartame

Abstract

The coagulation process, including thrombin, fibrin, as well as platelets, plays an important role in hemostasis, contributing to the general well-being of humans. Fibrin formation and platelet activation are delicate processes that are under the control of many small physiological events. Any one of these many processes may be influenced or changed by external factors, including pharmaceutical or nutritional products, e.g., the sweetener aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester). It is known that phenylalanine is present at position P 9 and aspartate at position P 10 of the α-chain of human fibrinogen, and plays an important role in the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin by the catalyst -thrombin. The authors investigate the effect of aspartame on platelet and fibrin ultrastructure, by using the rabbit animal model and the scanning electron microscope. Animals were exposed to 34 mg/kg of aspartame 26× during a 2-month period. Aspartame-exposed fibrin networks appeared denser, with a thick matted fine fiber network covering thick major fibers. Also, the platelet aggregates appeared more granular than the globular control platelet aggregates. The authors conclude by suggesting that aspartame usage may interfere with the coagulation process and might cause delayed fibrin breakup after clot formation. They suggest this, as the fibrin networks from aspartame-exposed rabbits are more complex and dense, due to the netlike appearance of the minor, thin fibers. Aspartame usage should possibly be limited by people on anti-clotting medicine or those with prone to clot formation.

Combined triple treatment of fibrin amyloid microclots and platelet pathology in individuals with Long COVID/ Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) can resolve their persistent symptoms

“…We have been observing fibrin(ogen) changes generally for many years, initially via electron microscopy (e.g. 57,58,59,60,61,62 , and many others). Since 2011 we have also studied the effect of fibrin(ogen) folding in the presence of various inflammatory molecules, such as iron ions 63 , that can stimulate the anomalous fibrin form 64 .…”

Aspartame: Should Individuals with Type II Diabetes be Taking it?

“…Aspartame induces excess free radical production, in particular, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). These free radicals result in systemic oxidative stress [23] such as in blood cells [50,89,[115][116][117], brain cells [16,110,111,118,119], liver and kidney cells [20,22,120], heart cells [83,84] and immune organs [15,[121][122][123] (Figure 5). Systemic oxidative stress is associated with insulin resistance [124].…”

“…Increased cortisol or aspartame component phenylalanine after aspartame usage may affect platelet function and both fibrin formation and platelet activation in an animal model were found to be to changed fibrin packaging by aspartame administration[89]. Pathological functioning of both platelets and fibrin, closely associated with hypercoagulability, is known to be a hallmark of T2D, and therefore aspartame usage would add to this pathological hypercoaguability in T2D and also in all other inflammatory conditions.Cortisol may influence the insulin receptor by (a) decreasing binding affinity and receptor number[90], (b) decreasing binding affinity without decreasing numbers[91], (c) increasing receptor number without affecting affinity[92] or (d) having no effect on receptor affinity or number[93].…”

A chitosan-Au-hyperbranched polyester nanoparticles-based antifouling immunosensor for sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen

“…39 Platelet activation and brin formation are delicate processes that are under the control of many small physiological events. 40 Antifouling surfaces that exhibit low platelet adhesion are highly desirable in many biomedical applications as an anticoagulation strategy. 41 Fig.…”