A histological assessment of effects of sucralose on liver of albino rats

Abstract

Objective of the study: Sucralose is an artificial sweetener freely available under different brand names over the counter. This study is aimed at evaluating the histopathological changes in the liver after administration of sub lethal dose of pure sucralose.

Materials and methods: Inbred adult Wistar albino rats weighing about 150-200g of either sex, were divided into 6 control rats and 6 experimental rats. Experimental rats were given sucralose orally by gavage in the dose of 3g/kg/day dissolved in distilled water for 30 days whereas Control rats received equal quantity of distilled water by the same route. The animals were anesthetized with anesthetic ether and then perfused with 10% formal saline. Livers were dissected out. Pieces each having thickness 5mm were taken for paraffin sectioning. 5 micron thick sections were cut using a rotary microtome. Hundred slides were made from each liver and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-schiff (PAS) and Masson's trichrome stain. Slides were evaluated for histomorphological changes.

Results: Experimental rats showed features of patchy degeneration of hepatocytes along with Kupffer cells hyperplasia, lymphocytic infiltration, sinusoidal dilatation and fibrosis indicating a definite hepatic damage on regular ingestion of sucralose. Sinusoidal width was also found to be increased in experimental animals as compared to controls.

Conclusion: It is suggestive that sucralose should be taken with caution to avoid hepatic damage. Effects of ingestion of sucralose on human subjects should be investigated further.

Keywords: Artificial sweetener; Histomorphology; Sucralose; Sugar free.