Aspartame and diet soda impact on blood sugar and insulin in Wistar rat

Abstract

Research reports on the safety of Aspartame as a sugar substitute which was intended to reduce the prevalence of metabolic disorders has been inconclusive. Thus, this study is aimed at investigating the effects of aspartame and diet soda on body weight, blood sugar and insulin levels. Thirty seven Wistar rats were divided into: Group 1 (5): control group and administered 5ml of distilled water daily. Groups 2 and 3 (8 each) received high and low doses of diet soda respectively. Groups 4 and 5 (8 each) received high (45 mg/ kg b.w) and low (22.5 mg/kg b.w) doses of aspartame respectively. After 10 weeks, the rats were subjected to an overnight fast for the determination of fasting blood sugar test after which they were sacrificed. Blood samples were collected and the pancreas harvested and put in formal saline for histological analysis. Insulin level was measured using ELISA technique. Results show various morphological changes in the pancreas of all experimental groups, including hypoplastic islet, vascular congestion and ulceration, nerve hypertrophy, amongst others. Body weight was significantly increased in groups given high diet soda (114 ± 0.12g) and aspartame (121 ± 0.17g) when compared with the control (85 ± 0.21g). However, there was no significant difference in fasting blood sugar and insulin levels in all treated groups compared to control. In conclusion, this study has shown that chronic consumption of aspartame and diet soda increased body weight, but no effect on blood sugar and insulin levels. The adverse effects on pancreas morphology suggest impending health implications.