Evaluation of genotoxic potential of aspartame

The present study was planned to investigate the genotoxic potential of aspartame. Bone marrow and peripheral blood micronucleus, bone marrow chromosomal aberration and sperm morphology test were conducted. In micronucleus and chromosomal aberration tests the drug was administered in four different doses (250, 455, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) in a single dose (p.o) to four different groups of animals. (455 mg/kg, selected on the basis of conversion of human adequate daily intake (ADI) dose which is 50 mg/kg to animal dose). Cyclophosphamide (CP), single dose was injected (i.p) at 100 mg/kg to one group which was used as a standard and distilled water treated group was maintained as control. Bone marrow slides were prepared at 24, 48 and 72 h respectively in all groups. In sperm morphology test the drug was administered in four different doses (250, 455, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) in a single dose (p.o) to four different groups of animals everyday for one week. Cyclophosphamide (CP), single dose was injected (i.p) at 100 mg/kg to one group which was used as a standard and distilled water treated group was maintained as control. Percentage of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, percentage of total aberrations induced and percentage of abnormal sperms were determined and the results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnet's test. Aspartame at doses 455, 500 and 1000 mg/kg showed significant (P<0.01) increase in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, total aberrations and abnormal sperms in 24, 48 and 72 h treatments.These results clearly indicate aspartame to be clastogenic.