Light and Electron Microscopic Study on the Effect of Aspartame on the Cerebellar Cortex of Male Albino Rat

Introduction: Aspartame (ASP) is the most widely used artificial sweeteners entering in the component of many foods and beverages. There was a great matter of controversy about the effect of aspartame on body cells. Aim of the Work: Was to evaluate the effect of aspartame on the structure the cerebellar cortex in rats. Materials and Methods: Fifteen male adult albino rats were used. The animals were divided into three groups, each containing five rats. Group I served as control. Group II included the animals which received ASP orally in a dose of 250 mg/kg daily for 8 weeks. Group III included the animals which received the same dose of ASP for 8 weeks, then left for recovery for 4 weeks after stoppage of ASP. The specimens of cerebellum were processed for H&E, Golgi-cox, immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and caspase-3 and electron microscopic study. Morphometric and statistical study were done to measure area percentage for GFAP immuno-stained sections. Results: Group II (ASP) sections of the cerebellar cortex showed that some of the Purkinje cells lost their characteristic pyriform shape, had condensed nuclei with affection of their processes. Some vacuolations were seen in the granular and the molecular layer. There was a significant increase in area percentage of the GFAP immuno-staining sections. Few Purkinje cells appeared positive to caspase-3 immuno-reaction. Electron microscopic examination revealed affection of some Purkinje cell nucleus and organelles, of granule cells and of neuronal processes. Group III (Recovery) sections showed incomplete restoration of the normal structure of the cerebellar cortex. Conclusion: It was concluded that aspartame consumption had a harmful effect on the structure of the cerebellar cortex of the rat. The period of 4 weeks stoppage of aspartame administration was not enough to get a complete recovery. Original Article