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Borghoff SJ, Cohen SS, Jiang X, Lea IA, Klaren WD, Chappell GA, Britt JK, Rivera BN, Choski NY, Wikoff DS. Updated systematic assessment of human, animal and mechanistic evidence demonstrates lack of human carcinogenicity with consumption of aspartame. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 172:113549. [PMID: 36493943 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Aspartame has been studied extensively and evaluated for its safety in foods and beverages yet concerns for its potential carcinogenicity have persisted, driven primarily by animal studies conducted at the Ramazzini Institute (RI). To address this controversy, an updated systematic review of available human, animal, and mechanistic data was conducted leveraging critical assessment tools to consider the quality and reliability of data. The evidence base includes 12 animal studies and >40 epidemiological studies reviewed by the World Health Organization which collectively demonstrate a lack of carcinogenic effect. Assessment of >1360 mechanistic endpoints, including many guideline-based genotoxicity studies, demonstrate a lack of activity associated with endpoints grouped to key characteristics of carcinogens. Other non-specific mechanistic data (e.g., mixed findings of oxidative stress across study models, tissues, and species) do not provide evidence of a biologically plausible carcinogenic pathway associated with aspartame. Taken together, available evidence supports that aspartame consumption is not carcinogenic in humans and that the inconsistent findings of the RI studies may be explained by flaws in study design and conduct (despite additional analyses to address study limitations), as acknowledged by authoritative bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah S Cohen
- EpidStrategies, A Division of ToxStrategies, RTP, NC, USA
| | - Xiaohui Jiang
- EpidStrategies, A Division of ToxStrategies, RTP, NC, USA
| | - Isabel A Lea
- ToxStrategies, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Liu L, Zhang P, Wang Y, Cui W, Li D. The relationship between the use of artificial sweeteners and cancer: A meta-analysis of case-control studies. Food Sci Nutr 2021; 9:4589-4597. [PMID: 34401106 PMCID: PMC8358351 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Although there are reports that artificial sweeteners (AS) are safe, the relationship between artificial sweeteners and cancer remains controversial. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether the consumption of artificial sweeteners is associated with the risk of cancers. We conducted a comprehensive search of multiple databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. We found all the literature that studied the relationship between artificial sweeteners and cancer. Ten case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. Our findings indicated that the consumption of artificial sweeteners was not associated with an increase in cancer when all types of cancers are analyzed comprehensively (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.75-1.11). Interestingly, the use of artificial sweeteners is inversely related to urinary system cancer risk when analyzing women individually (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.60-0.97). Our meta-analysis found that these is no correlation between artificial sweeteners and occurrence of cancer except urinary system cancer in women. Considering some limitations found in this study, additional data from large clinical trials are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Liu
- Department of ImmunologyCollege of Basic Medical SciencesJilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryThe First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Yuanxin Wang
- Department of ImmunologyCollege of Basic Medical SciencesJilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Weiwei Cui
- Department of Nutrition and Food HygieneSchool of Public HealthJilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Dong Li
- Department of ImmunologyCollege of Basic Medical SciencesJilin UniversityChangchunChina
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Wikoff D, Chappell G, Fitch S, Doepker C, Borghoff S. Lack of potential carcinogenicity for aspartame – Systematic evaluation and integration of mechanistic data into the totality of the evidence. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 135:110866. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.110866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Thabit MG, El Bialy SA, Nasr MN. Synthesis and biological evaluation of new 3-(4-substituted phenyl)aminoquinoxaline derivatives as anticancer agents. HETEROCYCL COMMUN 2015. [DOI: 10.1515/hc-2014-0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractQuinoxaline derivatives
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Bedadurge AB, Shaikh AR. Designing Hypothesis of 2-Substituted-N-[4-(1-methyl-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)phenyl] Acetamide Analogs as Anticancer Agents: QSAR Approach. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY-DAEHAN HWAHAK HOE JEE 2013. [DOI: 10.5012/jkcs.2013.57.6.744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Yurttaş L, Özkay Y, Akalın-Çiftçi G, Ulusoylar-Yıldırım Ş. Synthesis and anticancer activity evaluation of N-[4-(2-methylthiazol-4-yl)phenyl]acetamide derivatives containing (benz)azole moiety. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2013; 29:175-84. [PMID: 23391122 DOI: 10.3109/14756366.2013.763253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A new class of novel thiazole-(benz)azole derivatives was synthesized to investigate their anticancer activity. The structure of the compounds was confirmed by IR, (1)H-NMR, and MS spectral data and elemental analyses. Anticancer effect of the compounds was evaluated against A549 and C6 tumor cell lines. MTT, analysis of DNA synthesis, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining method and analysis of caspase-3 activation assays were performed for anticancer activity investigations. Compounds 6f and 6g, which carry 5-chloro and 5-methylbenzimidazole groups showed significant anticancer activity. Potential of these compounds to direct tumor cells to apoptotic pathway, which is a precondition of anticancer action, was also observed.
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Schernhammer ES, Bertrand KA, Birmann BM, Sampson L, Willett WC, Feskanich D. Consumption of artificial sweetener- and sugar-containing soda and risk of lymphoma and leukemia in men and women. Am J Clin Nutr 2012; 96:1419-28. [PMID: 23097267 PMCID: PMC3497928 DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.111.030833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite safety reports of the artificial sweetener aspartame, health-related concerns remain. OBJECTIVE We prospectively evaluated whether the consumption of aspartame- and sugar-containing soda is associated with risk of hematopoetic cancers. DESIGN We repeatedly assessed diet in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS). Over 22 y, we identified 1324 non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs), 285 multiple myelomas, and 339 leukemias. We calculated incidence RRs and 95% CIs by using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS When the 2 cohorts were combined, there was no significant association between soda intake and risks of NHL and multiple myeloma. However, in men, ≥1 daily serving of diet soda increased risks of NHL (RR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.72) and multiple myeloma (RR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.20, 3.40) in comparison with men who did not consume diet soda. We observed no increased risks of NHL and multiple myeloma in women. We also observed an unexpected elevated risk of NHL (RR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.51) with a higher consumption of regular, sugar-sweetened soda in men but not in women. In contrast, when sexes were analyzed separately with limited power, neither regular nor diet soda increased risk of leukemia but were associated with increased leukemia risk when data for men and women were combined (RR for consumption of ≥1 serving of diet soda/d when the 2 cohorts were pooled: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.00, 2.02). CONCLUSION Although our findings preserve the possibility of a detrimental effect of a constituent of diet soda, such as aspartame, on select cancers, the inconsistent sex effects and occurrence of an apparent cancer risk in individuals who consume regular soda do not permit the ruling out of chance as an explanation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva S Schernhammer
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Abd Elfatah AAM, Ghaly IS, Hanafy SM. Cytotoxic effect of aspartame (diet sweet) on the histological and genetic structures of female albino rats and their offspring. Pak J Biol Sci 2012; 15:904-918. [PMID: 24159687 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2012.904.918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The present study evaluated the effect of aspartame intake on the histological and genetic structures of mother albino rats and their offspring. Sixty adult female albino rats and 180 of their offspring were equally divided into two groups (control and treated), each group divided into three subgroups. Each subgroup consisted of 10 pregnant rats and 30 of their offspring. The experimental design divided into three periods: (1) the gestation period (subgroup one), (2) the gestation period and three weeks after delivery (subgroup two) and (3) animals in the third subgroup treated as subgroup two then left till the end of the ninth week after delivery. Each pregnant rat in the treated subgroups was given a single daily dose of 1 mL aspartame solution (50.4 mg) by gastric gavage throughout the time intervals of experimental design. At the end of each experimental period for control and treated subgroups, the liver of half of both control and treated groups were subjected for histological study while the liver and bone marrow of the other halves were subjected for cytogenetic studies. Body weight of both groups were recorded individually twice weekly in the morning before offering the diet. The results revealed that the rats and their offspring in the subgroups of control animals showed increases in body weight, normal histological sections, low chromosomal aberration and low DNA fragmentation. The treated animals in the three subgroups rats and their offspring revealed decreases in body weight, high histological lesions, increases in the chromosomal aberration and DNA fragmentation compared with control groups. In conclusion, the consumption of aspartame leads to histopathological lesions in the liver and alterations of the genetic system in the liver and bone marrow of mother albino rats and their offspring. These toxicological changes were directly proportional to the duration of its administration and improved after its withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azza A M Abd Elfatah
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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Antimicrobial and anticancer effects of some 2-(substitutedsulfanyl)-N-(5-methyl-isoxazol-3-yl)acetamide derivatives. Med Chem Res 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-012-0021-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Karikas A, Constantinou-Kokotou V, Magrioti V, Kokotos G. STUDY OF DNA INTERACTIONS WITH MELPHALAN, BUSULPHAN, AND ANALOGUES USING AN HPLC METHOD. J LIQ CHROMATOGR R T 2007. [DOI: 10.1081/jlc-100100457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Karikas
- a Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry , University of Athens , Panepistimiopolis, Athens, 15771, Greece
| | | | - V. Magrioti
- b Laboratory of Chemistry , Agricultural University of Athens , Iera Odos 75, Athens, 11855, Greece
| | - G. Kokotos
- c Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry , University of Athens , Panepistimiopolis, Athens, 15771, Greece
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Dasgupta J, Elliott RA, Doshani A, Tincello DG. Enhancement of rat bladder contraction by artificial sweeteners via increased extracellular Ca2+ influx. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2006; 217:216-24. [PMID: 17046038 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2006.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2006] [Revised: 08/10/2006] [Accepted: 09/05/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Consumption of carbonated soft drinks has been shown to be independently associated with the development of overactive bladder symptoms (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.18, 2.22) [Dallosso, H.M., McGrother, C.W., Matthews, R.J., Donaldson, M.M.K., 2003. The association of diet and other lifestyle factors with overactive bladder and stress incontinence: a longitudinal study in women. BJU Int. 92, 69-77]. We evaluated the effects of three artificial sweeteners, acesulfame K, aspartame and sodium saccharin, on the contractile response of isolated rat detrusor muscle strips. METHODS Strips of detrusor muscle were placed in an organ bath and stimulated with electrical field stimulation (EFS) in the absence and presence of atropine, and with alpha,beta methylene ATP, potassium, calcium and carbachol. RESULTS Sweeteners 10(-7) M to 10(-2) M enhanced the contractile response to 10 Hz EFS compared to control (p<0.01). The atropine-resistant response to EFS was marginally increased by acesulfame K 10(-6) M, aspartame 10(-7) M and sodium saccharin 10(-7) M. Acesulfame K 10(-6) M increased the maximum contractile response to alpha,beta methylene ATP by 35% (+/-9.6%) (p<0.05) and to KCl by 12% (+/-3.1%) (p<0.01). Sodium saccharin also increased the response to KCl by 37% (+/-15.2%) (p<0.05). These sweeteners shifted the calcium concentration-response curves to the left. Acesulfame K 10(-6) M increased the log EC(50) from -2.79 (+/-0.037) to -3.03 (+/-0.048, p<0.01) and sodium saccharin 10(-7) M from -2.74 (+/-0.03) to 2.86 (+/-0.031, p<0.05). The sweeteners had no significant effect on the contractile response to carbachol but they did increase the amplitude of spontaneous bladder contractions. DISCUSSION These results suggest that low concentrations of artificial sweeteners enhanced detrusor muscle contraction via modulation of L-type Ca(+2) channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaydip Dasgupta
- University of Leicester, Prolapse and Incontinence Group, Reproductive Sciences Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, LE2 7LX, UK
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Schulpis KH, Papassotiriou I, Parthimos T, Tsakiris T, Tsakiris S. The effect of L-cysteine and glutathione on inhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase activity by aspartame metabolites in human erythrocyte membrane. Eur J Clin Nutr 2005; 60:593-7. [PMID: 16391576 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reports have implicated Aspartame (N-L-a-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, ASP) in neurological problems. AIM To evaluate Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities in human erythrocyte membranes after incubation with the ASP metabolites, phenylalanine (Phe), methanol (MeOH) and aspartic acid (Asp). METHODS Erythrocyte membranes were obtained from 12 healthy individuals and were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 h with the sum or each of the ASP metabolites separately, which are commonly measured in blood after ASP ingestion. Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. RESULTS Membrane Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was not altered. The sum of ASP metabolite concentrations corresponding to 34, 150 or 200 mg/kg of the sweetener ingestion resulted in an inhibition of the membrane Na(+), K(+)-ATPase by -30, -40, -48%, respectively. MeOH concentrations of 0.14, 0.60 or 0.80 mM decreased the enzyme activity by -25, -38, -43%, respectively. Asp concentrations of 2.80, 7.60 or 10.0 mM inhibited membrane Na(+), K(+)-ATPase by -26, -40, -46%, respectively. Phe concentrations of 0.14, 0.35 or 0.50 mM reduced the enzyme activity by -24, -44, -48%, respectively. Preincubation with L-cysteine or reduced glutathione (GSH) completely or partially restored the inhibited membrane Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity by high or toxic ASP metabolite concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Low concentrations of ASP metabolites had no effect on Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity. High or abuse concentrations of ASP hydrolysis products significantly decreased the membrane enzyme activity, which was completely or partially prevented by L-cysteine or reduced GSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- K H Schulpis
- Institute of Child Health, Research Center, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Butchko HH, Stargel WW, Comer CP, Mayhew DA, Benninger C, Blackburn GL, de Sonneville LMJ, Geha RS, Hertelendy Z, Koestner A, Leon AS, Liepa GU, McMartin KE, Mendenhall CL, Munro IC, Novotny EJ, Renwick AG, Schiffman SS, Schomer DL, Shaywitz BA, Spiers PA, Tephly TR, Thomas JA, Trefz FK. Aspartame: review of safety. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2002; 35:S1-93. [PMID: 12180494 DOI: 10.1006/rtph.2002.1542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Over 20 years have elapsed since aspartame was approved by regulatory agencies as a sweetener and flavor enhancer. The safety of aspartame and its metabolic constituents was established through extensive toxicology studies in laboratory animals, using much greater doses than people could possibly consume. Its safety was further confirmed through studies in several human subpopulations, including healthy infants, children, adolescents, and adults; obese individuals; diabetics; lactating women; and individuals heterozygous (PKUH) for the genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU) who have a decreased ability to metabolize the essential amino acid, phenylalanine. Several scientific issues continued to be raised after approval, largely as a concern for theoretical toxicity from its metabolic components--the amino acids, aspartate and phenylalanine, and methanol--even though dietary exposure to these components is much greater than from aspartame. Nonetheless, additional research, including evaluations of possible associations between aspartame and headaches, seizures, behavior, cognition, and mood as well as allergic-type reactions and use by potentially sensitive subpopulations, has continued after approval. These findings are reviewed here. The safety testing of aspartame has gone well beyond that required to evaluate the safety of a food additive. When all the research on aspartame, including evaluations in both the premarketing and postmarketing periods, is examined as a whole, it is clear that aspartame is safe, and there are no unresolved questions regarding its safety under conditions of intended use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriett H Butchko
- Medical and Scientific Affairs, The NutraSweet Company, Mt Prospect, Illinois 60056, USA.
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