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1: In Vivo. 2007 Jan-Feb;21(1):89-92.Click here to read Links
Erratum in:
In Vivo. 2007 Nov-Dec;21(6):1172.

The effect of aspartame administration on oncogene and suppressor gene expressions.

Gombos K, Varjas T, Orsós Z, Polyák E, Peredi J, Varga Z, Nowrasteh G, Tettinger A, Mucsi G, Ember I.

Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Public Health University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary. katalin_gombos@yahoo.com

BACKGROUND: Aspartame (L-phenylalanine N-L-alpha-aspartyl-1-methyl ester) is an artificial sweetener with widespread applications. Previously published results have shown that among rats receiving aspartame a significant increase of lymphoreticular neoplasms, brain tumours and transitional cell tumours occurred. The aim of our short-term experiment was to investigate the biological effect of aspartame consumption by determining the expressions of key oncogenes and a tumour suppressor gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After one week per os administration of various doses of aspartame to CBA/CA female mice, p53, c-myc, Ha-ras gene expression alterations were determined in individual organs. RESULTS: The results showed an increase in gene expressions concerning all the investigated genes especially in organs with a high proliferation rate: lymphoreticular organs, bone-marrow and kidney. CONCLUSION: Aspartame has a biological effect even at the recommended daily maximum dose.

PMID: 17354619 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]