The Effect of Long-term Exposure to Aspartame on Histomorphology, Histomorphometry, Histochemistry and Expression of Caspase-3 Gene in the Small Intestine of Mice

Aspartame is a member of the artificial sweetener family, which is increasingly used in diet products, low-calorie foods, and various types of foods, medications, and hygiene products. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of aspartame on the small intestine of mice. In this experimental study, 36 adult male mice were randomly divided into four groups of nine each. Three groups received aspartame orally via gavage at doses of 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg.BW, respectively, for 90 days. Additionally, a control group was included. 24 hours after the last treatment, serum, and tissue samples were collected for biochemical, histomorphological, histomorphometrical, histochemical, and gene expression analyses. Significant changes in carbohydrate compositions were not observed in the histochemical studies between the groups, but the amount of fibrous tissue increased in the groups receiving aspartame. In histomorphometric evaluations of the small intestine, aspartame at doses of 80 and 160 mg/kg. BW caused a significant reduction in histomorphometrical parameters compared to the control group. Aspartame administration dose-dependently led to significant changes in oxidative parameters compared to the control group. Additionally, the expression of the Caspase-3 gene showed a significant increase in the group receiving aspartame at a dose of 160 mg/kg. BW compared to the control group. It seems that aspartame can cause negative effects on histomorphology, histomorphometry, histochemistry, and oxidative parameters in a dose-dependent manner and increases the expression of the Caspase-3 gene in the small intestine.