ABSTRACT
In the present study, the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of the low-caloric artificial sweetener maltitol, which is a sugar alcohol (polyol), were investigated in the bone marrow cells of rats using the chromosome aberration (CA) test. In addition, the teratogenicity and embryotoxicity of maltitol was also investigated in rats. To reveal the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of maltitol, rats were intraperitoneally administered 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg body weight (bw) concentrations of maltitol for 6, 12 and 24 h treatment period. The pregnant females were intraperitoneally treated with 1, 2 and 4 g/kg bw/day concentrations of maltitol during the first 7 days of gestation (first trimester) to investigate the teratogenicity of maltitol. The embryos were collected after killing the dams by cervical dislocation under ether anaesthesia on gestation day 19. Maltitol did not induce the CA and did not decrease the mitotic index in bone marrow cells of rats at all concentrations and treatment periods. In addition, maltitol was not teratogenic; however, it decreased the foetuses weight and at the highest dose (4 g/kg bw) caused growth retardation.
Subject(s)
Chromosome Aberrations/drug effects , Maltose/analogs & derivatives , Mutagens/toxicity , Sugar Alcohols/toxicity , Teratogens/toxicity , Animals , Bone Marrow Cells , Cells, Cultured , Embryo, Mammalian/drug effects , Female , Fetal Weight/drug effects , Maltose/toxicity , Mitotic Index , Mutagenicity Tests , Pregnancy , RatsABSTRACT
Natamycin (pimaricin) (E235) is an antifungal that can be used as an antibiotic to treat most fungus infections. It has been globally used in a variety of foods and beverages. In the present study, the effects of natamycin on chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), and micronucleus (MN) formation in human lymphocytes cells were investigated. The human lymphocytes were treated with 13, 18, 23, and 28 microg/mL of natamycin for 24 and 48 h. Natamycin induced the SCE frequency at the highest concentration for 48 h only; however, it induced the structural CA and MN frequency at all concentrations when compared to control and at all concentrations, except the lowest concentration (13 microg/mL), when compared to solvent control. Natamycin showed a cytotoxic effect by decreasing the replication index, mitotic index, and nuclear division index (NDI), especially at the highest concentrations for two treatment periods.
Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents/toxicity , Lymphocytes/drug effects , Natamycin/toxicity , Antifungal Agents/administration & dosage , Chromosome Aberrations/drug effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Humans , Male , Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective/chemically induced , Micronucleus Tests , Natamycin/administration & dosage , Sister Chromatid Exchange/drug effects , Time Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
The effects of the low-calorie artifical sweetener maltitol (E965), a sugar alcohol (Polyol), on sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosome aberration (CA), and micronucleus formation (MN) were investigated in human peripheral lymphocytes. Maltitol did not induce SCE at all concentrations (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL) and treatment periods (24 and 48 h). Maltitol induced CA, although not statistically significantly. Maltitol induced the frequency of MN at 24 and 48 h in a non-dose-dependent manner. In addition, maltitol did not decrease the replication index (RI) and the mitotic index (MI) at all concentrations and treatment periods. Maltitol did not alter the pH and osmolality of the medium. In conclusion, it can be concluded that maltitol has a weak genotoxic potential and it appears non-cytotoxic to human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro.
