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Chronic Sweetener Intake and Oxidative Stress in The Central Nervous System
Author(s) -
Rebolledo Zhenia,
Contreras Irazu,
Estrada Jose
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.575.16
Subject(s) - sucralose , oxidative stress , sucrose , central nervous system , tbars , population , diabetes mellitus , reactive oxygen species , glycemic , chemistry , food science , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , lipid peroxidation , environmental health
Diseases such as diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome are characterized by chronic low‐grade inflammation and increased oxidative stress, which causes changes damage to several tissues, including the central nervous system. Sweeteners are an alternative to sucrose for the treatment of these pathologies, since they provide flavor without the energy content; however, the use of these compounds has been extended to the general population, since they are included in a variety of products for human consumption. Despite being considered safe, there is evidence of significant metabolic alterations after chronic use of large quantities of these substances. Objective To determine the association between constant intake of commercial sucralose or stevia with an increased production of reactive oxygen species in the central nervous system of mice. Method 4 groups of 6 female 8 week‐old BALB/c mice were supplemented with either sucralose, stevia or saccharose in their drinking water, or left unsupplemented (control), for 6 weeks. Subsequently, mice were sacrificed by anesthetic overdose and the nervous tissue was obtained. ROS production in the tissue was determined by the TBARS method. Results The highest production of ROS was observed in the control group (average concentration of MDA 186 mmol/mL). The sucrose (124.11 mmol/mL), sucralose (113 mmol/mL) and stevia (112.3 mmol/mL) samples all had lower ROS concentrations than the unsupplemented control. Conclusions In comparison with the sucrose‐supplemented and control groups, supplementation with either sucralose or stevia appear to promote decreased concentrations of ROS in the central nervous system, with the stevia group showing the lowest production.