Effects of Ascorbic Acid on Aspartame Induced Nephrotoxicity: An Experimental Rat Model

Abstract

Objective: To assess the nephroprotective role of Ascorbic Acid against Aspartame induced nephrotoxicity in Albino Wistar rats. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Postgraduate research laboratory at ISRA University, Hyderabad from August 2018 until November 2018. Materials and Methods: Thirty albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Group I (Control group), Group II (Aspartame only), and Group III (aspartame and ascorbic acid combination). Pre and post-experiment body weight, the biochemical analysis was done through ANOVA. While Fisher's exact test was used for histological analysis in SPSS version 22. Results: Statistically significant difference in mean post-experimental body weight was observed in all three groups (P-value<0.05). Marked reduction in mean body weight was observed in group II (171.4±17.5) as compared to group III (191.80±15.1). A statistically significant difference in mean serum levels of serum biomarkers was also observed in all three groups (P-value<0.05). Marked elevation in serum levels of urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein while the decline in serum levels of glutathione peroxidase was seen in group II as compared to group III. Histological alterations (mean diameter of proximal and distal renal tubules) were also more pronounced in group II (110.3±7.4 and 185.98±5.9) respectively as compared with group III (89.59±6.1 and 95±6.8). Conclusion: Aspartame consumption causes significant nephrotoxicity and disturbs normal renal functions. Ascorbic acid used as a potent antioxidant can limit and/or decrease the toxic effects caused by aspartame.

Keywords

• ascorbic acid, aspartame, biochemical, histological, nephrotoxicity