Studies on the Genotoxic Effects of Sucralose in Laboratory Mice

Forty female (Swiss albino) mice were divided into 4 groups of ten animals each. Mice of groups I, II and III were fed sucralose 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm, respectively in feed. Group IV was fed sucralose free diet. Five animals were sacrificed from each group on 30 and 60 day of study and metaphase spreads prepared for evaluation of mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations. Liver and kidney samples of mice were also collected on 30 and 60 day of experiment for histopathological study. Among the chromosomal aberrations observed, polyploidy and monosomy were most common. The differences in mitotic indices and chromosomal aberrations between the 4 groups at different intervals were found to be statistically nonsignificant. Histopathological changes were observed in the liver and kidney of all treated groups. It is concluded from the present study that sucralose consumption up to 1500 ppm for two months did not produce any genotoxicity but it is hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic. However, its effect at higher doses and longer duration needs to be studies. * Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, CCS HAU, Hisar. INTRODUCTION In India, a large quantity of milk produced is diverted for the manufacturing of sweet milk products. Disease related to lifestyle and dietary habits of human population, account for most of the mortality and morbidity in developed countries. Obesity is a growing concern and has been associated with many other manifestations like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. A large segment of Indian population (30 million) is suffering from diabetes, the single most important metabolic disorder that may effect nearly every organ and system of body. The consumers today have become more health conscious and also the high calorie food is loosing favour fast. Hence, there is an urgent need to formulate food products with the view to suit most of the requirements of the vulnerable groups. Replacement of sugar with nonnutritive artificial sweeteners has gained momentum in Indian food industry. A number of such sweeteners having low calories, namely aspartame, saccharine, acesulphame-k, sucralose have been introduced in Indian market. On one hand, many food processing companies have requested to be granted permission for the application of these sweeteners in processed food products, whereas, on the other hand, some of these sweeteners are carcinogenic and have toxic effects. Hence, the safety and regulatory aspects of these compounds are yet to be established. Sucralose is biodegradable, white, odourless, zero calorie compound and 600 times sweeter than sucrose. It has excellent chemical and biological stability under various processing conditions that make it an ideal sugar replacer in dairy products. Sucralose is a chlorinated sugar and like chlorinated pesticides, there is every possibility that it may have toxic effects (Sasaki and Tsuda, 2002). However, no conclusive studies have been conducted on potential genotoxicity of sucralose. Genetic hazards of a vast array of substances are now becoming evident and numerous sensitive methods for detecting and measuring genotoxic effects have been developed. The chromosomal studies assume special significance as they deal with the Indian J. Anim. Res., 41 (1): 1 8, 2007