Long-term artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium treatment alters neurometabolic functions in C57BL/6J mice.

ABSTRACT: With the prevalence of obesity, artificial, non-nutritive sweeteners have been widely used as dietary supplements that provide sweet taste without excessive caloric load. In order to better understand the overall actions of artificial sweeteners, especially when they are chronically used, we investigated the peripheral and central nervous system effects of protracted exposure to a widely used artificial sweetener, acesulfame K (ACK). We found that extended ACK exposure (40 weeks) in normal C57BL/6J mice demonstrated a moderate and limited influence on metabolic homeostasis, including altering fasting insulin and leptin levels, pancreatic islet size and lipid levels, without affecting insulin sensitivity and bodyweight. Interestingly, impaired cognitive memory functions (evaluated by Morris

SUBMITTER: Cong WN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3737213 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature