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Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía

2008, Number 2

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Arch Neurocien 2008; 13 (2)

Efect of aspartame, phenylalanine, and aspartic acid on glutathione and lipid peroxidation levels in rat brain

Labra RNA, Vences MA, Hernández-Martínez NL, Gómez-Garduño J, Dorado-González VM, Osnaya-Brizuela N, García-Álvarez R, Barragán-Mejía G, Calderón GD

Language: Spanish
References: 22
Page: 79-83
PDF size: 104.63 Kb.


ABSTRACT

At the present time the ingestion of foods and drinks manufactured with sweeteners has been increased, and aspartame (Asp) is the most used sweetener in food elaboration for children and adults, in more than 90 countries. Recent studies have related the consumption of Asp to the development of metabolic alterations and the increase of neurological disorders associated with the production of free radicals and lipid peroxidation products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Asp in the brain of rats by means of the determination of the levels of Glutathion (GSH) and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances through the lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Material and methods: male Wistar rats of 21 days old were administered with Asp 75mg/kg and 125mg/kg, phenylalanine 62.5mg/kg, Aspartic acid 50mg/kg, all by oral route, for 30 consecutive days. At the end of the study the animals were sacrificed and the brain was homogenated for GSH and TBARS levels determination. Results: The GSH levels were significantly decreased (p‹0.05), in all the groups that received Asp, phenylalanine and aspartic acid, with respect to the control group. The TBARS concentration was significantly increased only in the animals with treatment with Asp in 125mg/kg dose versus group control. Conclusion: the results suggest that the administration of high doses of Asp unprotect the brain, exposing it to oxidative damage.


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