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Full Length
Research Paper
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Effect of aspartame on some oxidative stress parameters in
liver and kidney of rats
Iman, M. Mourad
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University,
Egypt.
E-mail:
yaramorad@yahoo.com
Accepted 11 May, 2011 |
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Abstract |
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Aspartame is one of the most widely used
artificial sweeteners in over 90 countries
worldwide. It is a highly intensity sweetener
added to a large variety of food, most commonly
found in low calorie beverages, desserts and
table top sweeteners added to tea or coffee. The
present study examined whether the daily oral
administration of ASP (40 mg/kg) for 2, 4 and 6
weeks induce oxidative stress in the liver and
kidney of male albino rats. Lipid peroxidation (LPO),
glutathione reduced (GSH) levels as well as the
activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),
glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase
(CAT) enzymes were determined. A significant
increase in LPO levels was obtained in the liver
tissue after 4 and 6 weeks of ASP administration
while there was a significant decrease in LPO
level after 2 weeks followed by a significant
increase in the renal tissue at the end of the 6
weeks. SOD activity significantly decreased in
the liver tissue after 2, 4 and 6 weeks of
treatment. Also, there was a significant
decrease in SOD activity after 2 and 4 weeks in
the renal tissue. CAT activity significantly
decreased in the liver tissue after 2 and 4
weeks of ASP administration. Regarding to GSH
content, there was a significant decrease in the
liver tissue after 2, 4 and 6 weeks which was
accompanied by a significant increase in GST
activity after 4 and 6 weeks of ASP
administration. In conclusion, ASP may induce an
oxidative stress in the liver and kidney of male
albino rats.
Key words:
Aspartame, oxidative stress, liver, kidney. |
