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Shaher SAA, Mihailescu DF, Amuzescu B. Aspartame Safety as a Food Sweetener and Related Health Hazards. Nutrients 2023; 15:3627. [PMID: 37630817 PMCID: PMC10459792 DOI: 10.3390/nu15163627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspartame is the methyl-ester of the aspartate-phenylalanine dipeptide. Over time, it has become a very popular artificial sweetener. However, since its approval by the main food safety agencies, several concerns have been raised related to neuropsychiatric effects and neurotoxicity due to its ability to activate glutamate receptors, as well as carcinogenic risks due to the increased production of reactive oxygen species. Within this review, we critically evaluate reports concerning the safety of aspartame. Some studies evidenced subtle mood and behavioral changes upon daily high-dose intake below the admitted limit. Epidemiology studies also evidenced associations between daily aspartame intake and a higher predisposition for malignant diseases, like non-Hodgkin lymphomas and multiple myelomas, particularly in males, but an association by chance still could not be excluded. While the debate over the carcinogenic risk of aspartame is ongoing, it is clear that its use may pose some dangers in peculiar cases, such as patients with seizures or other neurological diseases; it should be totally forbidden for patients with phenylketonuria, and reduced doses or complete avoidance are advisable during pregnancy. It would be also highly desirable for every product containing aspartame to clearly indicate on the label the exact amount of the substance and some risk warnings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shurooq Asaad Abdulameer Shaher
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 005095 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.A.S.); (D.F.M.)
- Department of Medical Laboratories, Babylon Technical Institute, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Najaf 54001, Iraq
| | - Dan Florin Mihailescu
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 005095 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.A.S.); (D.F.M.)
| | - Bogdan Amuzescu
- Department of Biophysics and Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 005095 Bucharest, Romania; (S.A.A.S.); (D.F.M.)
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Zhang P, Qiao Z, Pan S, Yang P, Zha Z, Sun S, Xu Q, Liu X, Xu N, Liu Y. Activation of spinal ephrin-B3/EphBs signaling induces hyperalgesia through a PLP-mediated mechanism. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2022; 36:262-276. [PMID: 34904278 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Ephrin B/EphB signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of pain caused by spinal cord injury. However, the role of ephrin-B3/EphBs signaling in regulation of nociceptive information is poorly understood. In the present study, formalin-induced inflammatory pain, mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, was measured using Efnb3 mutant mice (Efnb3-/- ) and wild-type (Efnb3+/+ ) mice. The spinal cord (L4-6) was selected for molecular and cellular identification by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Efnb3 mutant mice showed a significant increased the thermal and mechanical threshold, followed by aberrant thin myelin sheath. Furthermore, expression of proteolipid protein (PLP) was significantly lower in L4-6 spinal cord of Efnb3-/- mice. These morphological and behavioral abnormalities in mutant mice were rescued by conditional knock-in of wild-type ephrin-B3. Intrathecal administration of specific PLP siRNA significantly increased the thermal and mechanical threshold hyperalgesia in wild-type mice. However, overexpressing PLP protein by AAV9-PLP could decrease the sensitivity of mice to thermal and mechanical stimuli in Efnb3-/- mice, compared with scrabble Efnb3-/- mice. Further, Efnb3lacz mice, which have activities to initiate forward signaling, but transduce reverse signals by ephrin-B3, shows normal acute pain behavior, compared with wild type mice. These findings indicate that a key molecule Efnb3 act as a prominent contributor to hyperalgesia and essential roles of ephrin-B3/EphBs in nociception through a myelin-mediated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei Zhang
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhen Qiao
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shu Pan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengxia Zha
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Suya Sun
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Neuroscience Division, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiongming Xu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xingjun Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
- Pain and Related Diseases Research Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Nanjie Xu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Neuroscience Division, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanli Liu
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Elberry AA, Sharkawi SMZ, Wahba MR. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of N-acetylcysteine and verapamil in Wistar rats. Korean J Pain 2019; 32:256-263. [PMID: 31569917 PMCID: PMC6813896 DOI: 10.3344/kjp.2019.32.4.256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Antinociceptive anti-inflammatory drugs have many adverse effects. The goal of this investigation is to study the probable anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of verapamil and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in experimental rats. Methods Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups in the antinociceptive study, each containing 6 rats; the normal control group, which received saline (1 mL/kg); the diclofenac group, which received diclofenac sodium (5 mg/kg); the NAC group, which received NAC (125 mg/kg); and the verapamil group, which received verapamil (8 mg/kg). In the anti-inflammatory study, 5 groups were used, the 4 previous groups with the addition of an edema control group, received saline and were subjected to formalin test. Hot plate latency time was recorded for antinociceptive evaluation. Paw edema thickness and biochemical parameters were recorded for anti-inflammatory evaluation. Results Administration of NAC showed significant prolongation of hot plate latency time at 1 hour when compared to the control group while verapamil showed a significant prolongation of hot plate latency time at 1 and 2 hours when compared to the control group and NAC group values. Administration of NAC and verapamil significantly decreased paw edema thickness at 2, 4, and 8 hours when compared to edema control values. Regarding biochemical markers, NAC and verapamil significantly decreased serum nitric oxide synthase, C-reactive protein, and cyclooxygenase- 2 levels compared to the edema control value. In accordance, a marked improvement of histopathological findings was observed with both drugs. Conclusions NAC and verapamil have antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects comparable to diclofenac sodium.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mariam Rofaiel Wahba
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
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Shahlaee A, Farahanchi A, Javadi S, Delfan B, Dehpour AR. Sucrose-induced analgesia in mice: role of nitric oxide and opioid receptor-mediated system. Indian J Pharmacol 2014; 45:593-6. [PMID: 24347767 PMCID: PMC3847249 DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.121370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Revised: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The mechanism of action of sweet substance-induced analgesia is thought to involve activation of the endogenous opioid system. The nitric oxide (NO) pathway has a pivotal role in pain modulation of analgesic compounds such as opioids. Objectives: We investigated the role of NO and the opioid receptor-mediated system in the analgesic effect of sucrose ingestion in mice. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the effect of intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/kg of NO synthase inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and 20 mg/kg of opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone on the tail flick response in sucrose ingesting mice. Results: Sucrose ingestion for 12 days induced a statistically significant increase in the latency of tail flick response which was unmodified by L-NAME, but partially inhibited by naltrexone administration. Conclusions: Sucrose-induced nociception may be explained by facilitating the release of endogenous opioid peptides. Contrary to some previously studied pain models, the NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway had no role in thermal hyperalgesia in our study. We recommend further studies on the involvement of NO in other animals and pain models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abtin Shahlaee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Farahanchi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shiva Javadi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Delfan
- Department of Pharmacology, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Khoram Abad, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Zamani MJ, Sharifzadeh M, Rezaie A, Mashayekhi F, Abdollahi M. Effects of sildenafil on rat irritable bowel syndrome. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.2217/14750708.2.2.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Rezaie S, Rezaie A, Minaiee B, Khorasani R, Abdollahi M. On the relation of nitric oxide to nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia and impaired submandibular glands function in rats in vivo. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2005; 19:65-71. [PMID: 15660961 DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2004.00313.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Calcium-channel blockers such as nifedipine could be associated with gingival overgrowth. The aim of this study was to examine the role of nitric oxide (NO) on nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia along with submandibular secretory function in rats. Animals in divided groups received nifedipine (250 mg/kg diet) alone and in combination with L-arginine (2.25% w/v) or N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (0.7% w/v) in drinking water for 20 days. Controls received only tap water. Pure submandibular saliva was collected intraorally by micropolyethylene cannula and the mandibular gingiva was examined by means of dissecting microscope for signs of redness, thickness, inflammation and exuda. Twenty-day nifedipine treatment induced gingival hyperplasia accompanied with reduced salivary flow rate and concentrations of total protein, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and calcium in comparison with controls. Co-treatment of animals with nifedipine and L-arginine protected from gingival hyperplasia and retained flow rate, and concentrations of total protein, EGF and calcium in normal levels. Co-treatment of animals with nifedipine and L-NAME potentiated nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia and reductions in flow rate and concentrations of total protein, EGF, and calcium. It is concluded that nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia is associated with salivary dysfunction. Activation of cGMP-dependent positive signal-transduction mechanisms in salivary glands might be the mechanism for protective effects of NO against nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shourangiz Rezaie
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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