Chronic Consumption of Sweeteners and Its Effect on Glycaemia, Cytokines, Hormones, and Lymphocytes of GALT in CD1 Mice

Abstract

Background: The consumption of sweeteners has increased in recent years, being used to control body weight and blood glucose. However, they can cause increased appetite, modification of immune function, and secretion of hormones in the GALT.

Objective: To assess the effect of chronic sweetener consumption on glycaemia, cytokines, hormones, and GALT lymphocytes in CD1 mice.

Material and methods: 72 CD1 mice divided into 3 groups were used: (a) baseline, (b) middle, and (c) final. Groups (b) and (c) were divided into 4 subgroups: (i) Control, (ii) Sucrose, (iii) Sucralose, and (iv) Stevia. The following were determined: body weight, hormones (GIP, insulin, and leptin), lymphocytes CD3⁺T cells and CD19⁺B cells, IgA⁺ plasma cells, and cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ, and TNF-α).

Results: Sucralose reduces secretion of GIP and glycaemia but does not modify insulin concentration, increases body weight, and reduces food intake. Stevia increases the secretion of GIP, insulin, leptin, body weight, and glycaemia but keeps food consumption normal. Sucralose and Stevia showed a higher percentage of CD3⁺T cells, CD19⁺B cells, and IgA⁺ plasma cells in Peyer's patches, but only Stevia in lamina propria.

Conclusion: Sweeteners modulate the hormonal response of cytokines and the proliferation of lymphocytes in the intestinal mucosa.

Figure 1

Percentage of Peyer's patches lymphocytes from the small intestine of CD1 mice, supplemented with sweeteners at 3 (baseline), 9 (middle), and 15 (final) weeks of age. (a) CD3⁺ lymphocytes, (b) CD19⁺ lymphocytes, and (c) IgA⁺ plasma cells. The values represent the mean ± SD. One-way ANOVA^∗ was performed to compare the differences between the subgroups. The differences were considered significant with a value of p < 0.05^∗. CL (Control), SUC (Sucrose), SUCL (Sucralose), and ST (Stevia). Peyer's patches B and T cells from the small intestine of CD1 mice supplemented with sweeteners for 9th weeks. (d) Representative Dot-Plots of CD3⁺, CD19⁺/B220⁺, and IgA⁺ plasma cells on lamina propria lymphocytes isolated from small intestine at 9th weeks of age supplemented with sweeteners as described in Material and Methods.

Figure 2

Percentage of lamina propria lymphocytes from the small intestine of CD1 mice, supplemented with sweeteners at 3 (baseline), 9 (middle), and 15 (final) weeks of age. (a) CD3⁺ lymphocytes, (b) CD19⁺ lymphocytes, and (c) IgA⁺ plasma cells. The values represent the mean ± SD. One-way ANOVA^∗ was performed to compare the differences between the subgroups. The differences were considered significant with a value of p < 0.05^∗. CL (Control), SUC (Sucrose), SUCL (Sucralose), and ST (Stevia). Lamina propria B and T cells from the small intestine of CD1 mice supplemented with sweeteners for 9th weeks. (d) Representative Dot-Plots of CD3⁺, CD19⁺/B220⁺, and IgA⁺ plasma cells on lamina propria lymphocytes isolated from small intestine at 9th weeks of age supplemented with sweeteners as described in Material and Methods.