title: Aspartame-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.
abstract: Aspartame is an artificial sweetner added to many low-calorie foods. The safety of aspartame remains controversial even though there are many studies on its risks. In this study, to understand the physiological effects of trace amounts of artificial sweetners on cells, the effects of aspartame on apoptosis were investigated using a PC12 cell system. In addition, the mechanism of apoptosis induced by aspartame in PC12 cells and effects on apoptotic factors such as cytochrome c, apoptosis-inducing factor, and caspase family proteins were studied by Western blotting and RT-PCR. Aspartame-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, aspartame exposure increased the expressions of caspases 8 and 9, and cytochrome c. These results indicate that aspartame induces apoptosis mainly via mitochondrial pathway involved in apoptosis due to oxigen toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Adaptation Science, Division of Environmental Science Development, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Horio
authors.affiliation: Environmental Adaptation Science, Division of Environmental Science Development, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
authors.forename: Yongkun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Environmental Adaptation Science, Division of Environmental Science Development, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan.
authors.forename: Chuang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.affiliation: Environmental Adaptation Science, Division of Environmental Science Development, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan; Group of Environmental Adaptation Science, Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan. Electronic address: kura@ees.hokudai.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurasaki
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D001218:Aspartame / Q000633:toxicity*; D053181:Caspase 8 / Q000235:genetics; D053453:Caspase 9 / Q000235:genetics; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage; D016716:PC12 Cells; D051381:Rats; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: C494831:Aifm1 protein, rat; D051033:Apoptosis Inducing Factor; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D045304:Cytochromes c; D053181:Caspase 8; D053453:Caspase 9; D001218:Aspartame
keywords: AIF; Apoptosis; Aspartame; Caspases; Cytochrome c; PC12