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Gebremichael B, Lassi ZS, Begum M, Zhou SJ. Association between low-calorie sweetener consumption during pregnancy and child health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2024:e13737. [PMID: 39344708 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
We examined the association between low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) consumption during preconception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding and child health outcomes. A systematic search of electronic databases in PubMed, Embase, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ProQuest Health and Medical, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Google Scholar was conducted up to 21 September 2023. A random effects model with restricted maximum likelihood estimation was used for the meta-analysis. Seventeen eligible studies were included. The standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in birth weight between those who frequently consumed LCS (≥1 serve/day) during pregnancy and those who did not consume LCS was 0.04 (0.00, 0.08) (four cohort studies). Any LCS consumption during pregnancy compared with no consumption was not associated with birth weight [SMD (95% CI) = 0.03 (-0.03, 0.08)] (four cohort studies). Any LCS consumption during pregnancy was not associated with body mass index z-scores. The weighted mean difference (95% CI) was 0.00 (-0.05, 0.06) at birth, 0.06 (-0.29, 0.40) at 6 months, -0.04 (-0.19, 0.10) at 1 year, 0.00 (-0.16, 0.17) at 3 years, and 0.10 (-0.15, 0.34) at 7 years of the child age, compared with no intake (five cohort studies). The odds of being overweight at 1 year among children exposed to LCS during pregnancy was 1.19 (OR [95% CI]: 1.19 [0.81, 1.58]) compared with unexposed children (two cohort studies). The effect sizes were not precise for all the outcomes as the 95% CI indicated the effect estimates could range from small protective to a higher risk. The effect of LCS consumption on child behaviour and cognition was inconsistent. There is not enough evidence to confirm LCS consumption during pregnancy affects birth weight and risk of overweight in children. However, frequent consumption increased birth weight and the risk of overweight at different ages, though the effects were imprecise. More robust research evidence is required as the quality of evidence is low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bereket Gebremichael
- Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Zohra S Lassi
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mumtaz Begum
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Shao Jia Zhou
- Department of Food and Nutrition, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Wu Y, Lin Z, Chen F, Zhang X, Liu Y, Sun H. Evaluation of aspartame effects at environmental concentration on early development of zebrafish: Morphology and transcriptome 1. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 361:124792. [PMID: 39182820 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
The use of aspartame as an artificial sweetener is prevalent in a wide range of everyday food products, potentially leading to health complications such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, autism spectrum disorders, and neurodegeneration. Aspartame has also been detected in natural water bodies at a concentration of 0.49 μg/L, yet research on its ecotoxicological effects on aquatic life remains scarce. This study aimed to investigate the potential negative effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of aspartame on the development of various tissues and organs in zebrafish embryos. We used a zebrafish model to treat embryos with aspartame at environmental concentration and those higher than in the environment-up to 1000 times. We observed that after exposure to aspartame body length increased, pigmentation was delayed, and neutrophil production inhibited in zebrafish. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed that early exposure of zebrafish embryos to aspartame affected the transcriptomics of various systems, primarily by downregulating genes related to immune cell production, eye and optic nerve development, nervous system development, and growth hormone-related transcription. Most of the genes associated with ferroptosis were upregulated. This study provides new insights into the ecotoxicological effects of aspartame on aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yitian Wu
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Ziyuan Lin
- SCU-CUHK Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Zebrafish Research Platform, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Feng Chen
- SCU-CUHK Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Zebrafish Research Platform, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
| | - Huaqin Sun
- SCU-CUHK Joint Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Zebrafish Research Platform, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China; Children's Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, China.
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Chen D, Hou X. Aspartame carcinogenic potential revealed through network toxicology and molecular docking insights. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11492. [PMID: 38769413 PMCID: PMC11106323 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62461-w] [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: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The research employed network toxicology and molecular docking techniques to systematically examine the potential carcinogenic effects and mechanisms of aspartame (L-α-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester). Aspartame, a commonly used synthetic sweetener, is widely applied in foods and beverages globally. In recent years, its safety issues, particularly the potential carcinogenic risk, have garnered widespread attention. The study first constructed an interaction network map of aspartame with gastric cancer targets using network toxicology methods and identified key targets and pathways. Preliminary validation was conducted through microarray data analysis and survival analysis, and molecular docking techniques were employed to further examine the binding affinity and modes of action of aspartame with key proteins. The findings suggest that aspartame has the potential to impact various cancer-related proteins, potentially raising the likelihood of cellular carcinogenesis by interfering with biomolecular function. Furthermore, the study found that the action patterns and pathways of aspartame-related targets are like the mechanisms of known carcinogenic pathways, further supporting the scientific hypothesis of its potential carcinogenicity. However, given the complexity of the in vivo environment, we also emphasize the necessity of validating these molecular-level findings in actual biological systems. The study introduces a fresh scientific method for evaluating the safety of food enhancers and provides a theoretical foundation for shaping public health regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Chen
- Fenghua Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xianbing Hou
- Fenghua Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
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Ayoub-Charette S, Khan TA, Chiavaroli L, Magnuson BA, Sievenpiper JL. Lack of Biological Plausibility and Major Methodological Issues Cast Doubt on the Association between Aspartame and Autism. Comment on Fowler et al. Daily Early-Life Exposures to Diet Soda and Aspartame Are Associated with Autism in Males: A Case-Control Study. Nutrients 2023, 15, 3772. Nutrients 2024; 16:675. [PMID: 38474803 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The case-control study by Fowler et al [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Ayoub-Charette
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials Unit, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5C 2T2, Canada
| | - Tauseef Ahmad Khan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials Unit, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5C 2T2, Canada
| | - Laura Chiavaroli
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials Unit, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5C 2T2, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| | | | - John L Sievenpiper
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Toronto 3D Knowledge Synthesis and Clinical Trials Unit, Clinical Nutrition and Risk Factor Modification Centre, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5C 2T2, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON M5C 2T2, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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Fowler SP, Gimeno Ruiz de Porras D, Swartz MD, Granados PS, Heilbrun LP, Palmer RF. Reply to Ayoub-Charette et al. Lack of Biological Plausibility and Major Methodological Issues Cast Doubt on the Association between Aspartame and Autism. Comment on "Fowler et al. Daily Early-Life Exposures to Diet Soda and Aspartame Are Associated with Autism in Males: A Case-Control Study. Nutrients 2023, 15, 3772". Nutrients 2024; 16:676. [PMID: 38474804 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the concerns raised by Ayoub-Charette et al [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Parten Fowler
- Department of Medicine, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - David Gimeno Ruiz de Porras
- Center for Research in Occupational Health (CiSAL), Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health Network (CIBER) of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, UT School of Public Health San Antonio, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Michael D Swartz
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Paula Stigler Granados
- Division of Environmental Health, San Diego State University School of Public Health, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Lynne Parsons Heilbrun
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health in San Antonio, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Raymond F Palmer
- Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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Prescott SL, Logan AC, D’Adamo CR, Holton KF, Lowry CA, Marks J, Moodie R, Poland B. Nutritional Criminology: Why the Emerging Research on Ultra-Processed Food Matters to Health and Justice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:120. [PMID: 38397611 PMCID: PMC10888116 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
There is mounting concern over the potential harms associated with ultra-processed foods, including poor mental health and antisocial behavior. Cutting-edge research provides an enhanced understanding of biophysiological mechanisms, including microbiome pathways, and invites a historical reexamination of earlier work that investigated the relationship between nutrition and criminal behavior. Here, in this perspective article, we explore how this emergent research casts new light and greater significance on previous key observations. Despite expanding interest in the field dubbed 'nutritional psychiatry', there has been relatively little attention paid to its relevancy within criminology and the criminal justice system. Since public health practitioners, allied mental health professionals, and policymakers play key roles throughout criminal justice systems, a holistic perspective on both historical and emergent research is critical. While there are many questions to be resolved, the available evidence suggests that nutrition might be an underappreciated factor in prevention and treatment along the criminal justice spectrum. The intersection of nutrition and biopsychosocial health requires transdisciplinary discussions of power structures, industry influence, and marketing issues associated with widespread food and social inequalities. Some of these discussions are already occurring under the banner of 'food crime'. Given the vast societal implications, it is our contention that the subject of nutrition in the multidisciplinary field of criminology-referred to here as nutritional criminology-deserves increased scrutiny. Through combining historical findings and cutting-edge research, we aim to increase awareness of this topic among the broad readership of the journal, with the hopes of generating new hypotheses and collaborations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Prescott
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Alan C. Logan
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
| | - Christopher R. D’Adamo
- Nova Institute for Health, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA;
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Kathleen F. Holton
- Departments of Health Studies and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA;
| | - Christopher A. Lowry
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA;
| | - John Marks
- Department of Criminal Justice, Louisiana State University of Alexandria, Alexandria, LA 71302, USA;
| | - Rob Moodie
- School of Population and Global Health (MSPGH), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia;
| | - Blake Poland
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5R 0A3, Canada;
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