Artificial Sweeteners Impair Endothelial Vascular Reactivity: Preliminary Results In Rodents

Abstract Background and Aims Prospective epidemiological studies highlighted recently the link between artificial sweeteners (AS) consumption and the risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. However, underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Thus, the aim of this preliminary study was to characterize, in a healthy rat population, the effect of chronic AS consumption on body composition and vascular function, an early marker for cardiovascular disease. Methods and Results Healthy Wistar rats followed a 10 weeks standard diet including the consumption of water sweetened or not with a sucralose/acesulfame potassium solution at different concentrations: for moderate consumption at 1 and 2 mg.kg-1.day-1 respectively or high intake at 15 and 15 mg.kg-1.day-1 for both molecules (Acceptable Daily Intake). Body fat composition has been evaluated and ex vivo aortic vasomotor function has been investigated with a pharmacological approach. Conclusion Both groups of AS-treated rats showed a significant increase in subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissue mass storage, without changes in total body mass. However, rats that have consumed AS at Acceptable Daily Intake concentration revealed a significative vascular endothelial dysfunction compared to the other groups. These results are interesting since they will help to better explain the observed increase in cardiometabolic risk.