Hygeia Public Health 2016, 51(2): 221-225pl

Effect of sweet taste carrier on postprandial activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and antioxidant status in rat aortic wall

Sylwia Biegańska-Hensoldt, Ewelina Pałkowska-Goździk, Danuta Rosołowska-Huszcz

Zakład Fizjologii Żywienia, Katedra Dietetyki, Wydział Nauk o Żywieniu Człowieka i Konsumpcji, Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie

Summary
Introduction. Postprandial increase in blood glucose causes oxidative damage in endothelial cells leading to the development of atherogenic changes. Replacing sugar by artificial sweeteners is widely used in human nutrition and food industry. The effect of artificial sweet taste carriers on the vascular endothelium is still unclear.
Aim. To examine the postprandial changes in the antioxidant status (total antioxidant status - TAS and glutathione peroxidase activity - GPx) and the level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the abdominal aorta walls depending on the kind of carbohydrates and a carrier of sweet taste in the diet.
Material & method. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=70) were randomly divided into 2 groups. Each group was provided with isoenergetic diets with the same sweet taste intensity: Ma - maltodextrin, Sc - sucralose. After 3 weeks, rats were sacrificed as follows: after a 12-hour fast and 30, 60, 120, 180 min. after an appropriate meal.
Results. The Sc group consumed more feed and had a significantly higher body weight as compared to the Ma group. The postprandial TAS levels and the eNOS concentration in the group Sc decreased, whereas the GPx activity increased significantly as compared to the Ma group.
Conclusion. The results indicate that replacement of maltodextrin with artificial sweetener can increase postprandial formation of free radicals, as evidenced by lower TAS and increased GPx activity, and also cause a decrease in activity of nitric oxide synthase.

Key words:  endothelium, sweeteners, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, glutathione peroxidase, postprandial period