0000000000294419

AUTHOR

Maria A. Pavanato

Long-Term Aspartame Administration Leads to Fibrosis, Inflammasome Activation, and Gluconeogenesis Impairment in the Liver of Mice

Background: Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in foods and beverages worldwide. However, it is linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver damage through mechanisms that are not fully elucidated yet. This work aimed to investigate the effects of long-term administration of aspartame on the oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms associated with liver fibrosis progression in mice. Methods: Mice were divided into two groups with six animals each: control and aspartame. Aspartame (80 mg/kg, via oral) or vehicle was administrated for 12 weeks. Results: Aspartame caused liver damage and elevated serum transaminase levels. Aspartame also generated liver fibrosis, as evidenced by his…

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Chronic aspartame intake causes deficient glutathione synthesis and induces cxcl1 up-regulation in mice liver

Reduced glutathione (GSH) depletion and inflammation have been linked to chronic aspartame consumption. However, the cause of aspartame-induced GSH depletion and the role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in aspartame-triggered inflammation are still unknown. The aims of this research were to investigate if aspartame causes GSH depletion due to deficient synthesis and also which pro- and anti-inflammatory genes are involved in aspartame-related inflammation in mice liver. Mice were divided into three groups: control, aspartame (80 mg kg-1, v.o., 3 months), aspartame treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (1 mmol kg-1, i.p., last month). Aspartame markedly reduced GSH, γ-glutamylcysteine …

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Chronic aspartame intake causes changes in the trans-sulphuration pathway, glutathione depletion and liver damage in mice

No-caloric sweeteners, such as aspartame, are widely used in various food and beverages to prevent the increasing rates of obesity and diabetes mellitus, acting as tools in helping control caloric intake. Aspartame is metabolized to phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol. Our aim was to study the effect of chronic administration of aspartame on glutathione redox status and on the trans-sulphuration pathway in mouse liver. Mice were divided into three groups: control; treated daily with aspartame for 90 days; and treated with aspartame plus N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Chronic administration of aspartame increased plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase activities…

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