Effects of chronic aspartame consumption on MPTP-induced Parkinsonism in male and female mice

Abstract

Background: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Aspartame (l-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester), a low calorie sweetener used in foods and beverages.

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of chronic aspartame intake on Parkinsonism induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP).

Method: Forty-eight mice (24 males and 24 females): control, aspartame, MPTP, and aspartame + MPTP groups tested by Y-maze, stepping, forced swimming and olfactory preference tests. Brain tissues examined for dopamine content, tyrosine hydroxylase, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), glutathione peroxidase, phosphorylated tau and α-synuclein protein. Histopathological evaluation of brain sections at the level of basal ganglia was done.

Results: Decreased dopamine content, tyrosine hydroxylase expression, glutathione peroxidase expression and increased iNOS, tau and α-synuclein expression in groups received aspartame, MPTP or both agents simultaneously in both males and females group.

Conclusions: Increased dopaminergic degeneration and complications with chronic aspartame consumption and more injury in male groups.

Keywords:

• Parkinsonism
• MPTP
• aspartame
• behaviour
• memory

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the technicians at Medical Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University for their kind help.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.