Increased dopaminergic degeneration and complications with chronic aspartame consumption and more injury in male groups. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Effects of chronic aspartame consumption on MPTP-induced Parkinsonism in male and female mice.
Arch Physiol Biochem. 2017 Nov 2:1-8. Epub 2017 Nov 2. PMID: 29096532
Shaimaa Nasr Amin
BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Aspartame (l-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester), a low calorie sweetener used in foods and beverages.
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of chronic aspartame intake on Parkinsonism induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP).
METHOD: Forty-eight mice (24 males and 24 females): control, aspartame, MPTP, and aspartame + MPTP groups tested by Y-maze, stepping, forced swimming and olfactory preference tests. Brain tissues examined for dopamine content, tyrosine hydroxylase, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), glutathione peroxidase, phosphorylated tau and α-synuclein protein. Histopathological evaluationof brain sections at the level of basal ganglia was done.
RESULTS: Decreased dopamine content, tyrosine hydroxylase expression, glutathione peroxidase expression and increased iNOS, tau andα-synuclein expression in groups received aspartame, MPTP or both agents simultaneously in both males and females group.
CONCLUSIONS: Increased dopaminergic degeneration and complications with chronic aspartame consumption and more injury in male groups.