The effects of artificial sweeteners (AS) on the peptide hormone-producing enteroendocrine cells (EEC) of the gastrointestinal tract are controversial (contradictory studies in humans, animals and cells)( Reference Steinert, Frey and Töpfer 1 ). Recently, sucralose, a highly potent AS, has been shown to induce secretion of the insulin regulating and blood glucose lowering hormone, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), from intestinal in vitro models( Reference Margolskee, Dyer and Kokrashvili 2 ). It is suggested that it may be interacting with the sweet taste-receptors found on EECs( Reference Jang, Kokrashvili and Theodorakis 3 ). However the effects of other commonly used AS in the UK, such as aspartame, acesulfame-k and Canderel® (1.4 % aspartame; 0.95 % acesulfame-k) have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of these AS on GLP-1 secretion in GLUTag cells (mouse EEC line).
GLUTag cells were incubated with test reagents for 2 hours at 37o C and the supernatant collected. GLP-1 was measured from the supernatant using a GLP-1 (Active) ELISA assay (EMD Millipore®, UK). Data is presented as means and standard deviation.
At dietary relevant doses (0.25-5 mM) the individual AS, aspartame and acesulfame-k, and the AS mixture, Canderel® significantly induced GLP-1 secretion in GLUTag cells when compared to baseline (except for 0.25 mM acesulfame-k) and values were similar to glucose-induced GLP-1 secretion (table 1). Cells incubated in a combination of Canderel® and glucose (0.4 mM and 5 mM) showed the highest secretion of GLP-1 (table 1); indicating a potential synergistic effect of AS and other nutrients in EEC function. In conclusion, our in vitro data suggests certain AS given alone and in combination with glucose may result in a GLP-1 response.
Table 1. Values are means (n = 6; different passage numbers). Mean values were significantly different compared to baseline (ANOVA* or Student's T test□); *,□P < 0.05; a: Canderel® dose = 0.4 mM aspartame and 0.4 mM acesulfame-k.
