Artificial Sweeteners Perturbed Liver Enzymes in Rat Model

Abstract

In the recent time there has been an increased demand of low-fat or low calorie diet universally. In the mean while the availability of low calorie products has also increased like sugar free drinks, beverages, biscuits, jams and jellies. On contrary to this, some studies suggest that the prolong use of non-nutritive sweeteners alters the homeostasis of glucose and insulin. It results in fluctuation of glucose level in blood and increase in bodyweight. This study intends to evaluate the effect of non-nutritive sweeteners on the liver function test and record the alteration in the levels of ALP, AST and ALT. Seventy rats were divided into seven equal groups, controlled group received distilled water and the rest six were given NNS Sucrose, Stevia, Sucralose, Saccharine Aspartame and Acesulfame-k, respectively. On the evaluation of Alanine aminotransferase ALT, saccharine and aspartame markedly increased the level of ALT from 40U/L to 80 U/L. Both of these NNS have shown the most raised level of Alanine aminotransferase. This represents the stress on the liver associated with the use of NNS and suggests the use to be controlled in humans. Key words: Artificial Sweeteners, Liver Enzyme, Bilirubin, Albumin