Effect of long intake of aspartame on ionic imbalance in immune organs of immunized wistar albino rats

Aspartame was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981 for dry food in 1983 for soft drinks and in 1996 for all foods. In 2006, it was approved for use throughout the European Union [EFSA] on safety dose (40 mg/kg b.w). The artificial dipeptide sweetener aspartame [APM; L- aspartyl-L- phenylalanine methyl ester] is present in many products especially unsweetened and sugar products. These products are frequently utilized by people trying to lose weight or patients with diabetes. Concern relating to the possible adverse effect has been raised due to aspartame metabolic components. Aspartame is rapidly and completely metabolized in humans and experimental animals to aspartic acid (40%), phenylalanine (50%) and methanol (10%). Methanol, a toxic metabolite is primarily metabolized by oxidation to formaldehyde and then to formate these processes are accompanied by the formation of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. This study focus is to understand whether the oral administration of aspartame (40 mg/kg b.w.) for 90 days, have any effect on membrane bound ATPase's, which may cause ionic disproportion and imbalance the homeostasis of immune organs in wistar albino rats. To mimic human methanol metabolism, folate deficient rats were used. After 90 days of aspartame administration, showed a significant alteration in membrane bound ATPase's and serum ions. Excess free radical generation is confirmed by increase in lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide level. This study concludes that oral administration of aspartame (40 mg/kg b.w.) for longer duration altered the homeostasis of immune organs, may cause oxidative stress in immune organs of wistar albino rats.