THE EFFECTS OF ASPARTAME ON SOME FETAL TISSUES OF FEMALE ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Aspartame (ASP), a low-calorie artificial sweetener, is a methyl ester of a dipeptide. It can cause serious health problems as its metabolites can be toxic to many organs. The current study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of ASP on the rats' fetal tissues. Thirty-five pregnant female albino rats (Rattus norvegicus domestica) were randomly allotted into 5 groups (n=7): the control group received orally distilled water; groups "1 and 2" received orally/daily 250 and 500 mg ASP/kg body weight (dissolved in distilled water), respectively, on the 1st – 7th days of pregnancy; and groups "3 and 4" received orally/daily 250 and 500 mg ASP/kg body weight (dissolved in distilled water), respectively, on the 8th – 20th days of pregnancy. The fetal body weight and length decreased significantly in groups "2, 3, and 4" only. However, the mortality rate increased especially in groups "2 and 4", which received the high doses of ASP. Major skeletal abnormalities seen in the fetuses included inadequate ossification of the skull, vertebrae, and pectoral and pelvic girdles with their fore and hind limbs in all groups. The ASP changed the usual architecture of the hepatic parenchyma tissue in all treated groups. The kidneys of ASP-treated groups demonstrated histopathological alterations. The high doses in the first and the second periods of pregnancy had the most chronic effect than the low doses.