Genotoxicity of Aspartame

• Published in: Drug and chemical toxicology (New York, N.Y. 1978) Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 257 - 268
• Main Authors: Rencüzo ullar, Eyyüp, Tüylü, Berrin Ayaz, Topakta, Mehmet, la, Hasan Basri, Kayrald z, Ahmet, Arslan, Mehmet, Diler, Songül Budak
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Informa UK Ltd 01.01.2004; Taylor & Francis; Informa Healthcare
• Subjects: Ames test; Animals; Aspartame; Aspartame - toxicity; Biological and medical sciences; Chromosome aberrations; Chromosome Aberrations - drug effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Food toxicology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; In Vitro Techniques; Medical sciences; Micronuclei; Micronucleus Tests; Microsomes, Liver - drug effects; Mutagenicity Tests; Mutagens; Rats; Salmonella - drug effects; Salmonella - genetics; Salmonella typhimurium; Sister chromatid exchange; Sister Chromatid Exchange - drug effects; Subcellular Fractions - drug effects; Subcellular Fractions - metabolism; Sweeteners; Sweetening Agents - toxicity; Toxicology; Chromosomal aberration; Mutagenicity testing; Toxicity; Sister chromatid exchange; Genotoxicity; Food additive; In vitro; Sweeteners; Aspartame; Ames test; DNA; Micronuclei; Micronucleus; Sweetener; Chromosome aberrations
• ISSN: 0148-0545; 1525-6014
• DOI: 10.1081/DCT-120037506

In the present study, the genotoxic effects of the low-calorie sweetener aspartame (ASP), which is a dipeptide derivative, was investigated using chromosome aberration (CA) test, sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test, micronucleus test in human lymphocytes and also Ames Salmonella microsome test. ASP induced CAs at all concentrations (500, 1000 and 2000 µg ml) and treatment periods (24 and 48 h) dose-dependently, while it did not induce SCEs. On the other hand, ASP decreased the replication index (RI) only at the highest concentration for 48 h treatment period. However, ASP decreased the mitotic index (MI) at all concentrations and treatment periods dose-dependently. In addition, ASP induced micronuclei at the highest concentrations only. This induction was also dose-dependent for 48 hours treatment period. ASP was not mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains in the absence and presence of S9 mix.