title: Effects of three intense sweeteners on fat storage in the C. elegans model.
abstract: Beverages sweetened with caloric sweeteners (CS), glucose, sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup, are associated with weight gain. Beverages sweetened with intense sweeteners (IS) are marketed as low-calorie substitutes to prevent beverages-associated weight gain. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, the effects on intestinal fat deposition (IFD) and pharyngeal pumping rate (PPR) of cola beverages sweetened with glucose, aspartame, or aspartame plus acesulfame-potassium (AceK) were compared. Control groups received Escherichia coli (OP50) only. Study I: the nematodes received additional glucose- or IS-sweetened beverages. Study II: the nematodes received additional glucose, aspartame, or aspartame plus AceK (AAK). Beverages containing CS or IS (aspartame or AAK) did not alter IFD in wild type (N2) or in daf-16 deficiency. The CS cola increased IFD in sir-2.1 deficiency (P<0.05). The AAK-cola increased IFD in daf-16/daf-2 deficiency and sir-2.1 deficiency (P<0.05). Glucose increased IFD in N2 and daf-16 deficiency (P<0.05). Aspartame showed a tendency towards reduced IFD in N2 and decreased IFD in daf-16/daf-2 deficiency (P<0.05). AAK increased IFD in daf-16 deficiency and sir-2.1 deficiency (P<0.05), and reversed the aspartame-induced reduction in IFD. The aspartame-sweetened cola increased the PPR in daf-16/daf-2 deficiency and daf-16 deficiency (P<0.05); similar results were obtained in N2 with both IS (P<0.05). AAK increased the PPR in daf-16/daf-2, daf-16, and sir-2.1 deficiencies (P<0.05). Thus, IS increased the PPR, a surrogate marker of lifespan. Aspartame may have an independent effect in reducing IFD to assist humans desiring weight loss. AceK may increase IFD in presence of insulin resistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States; Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, United States. Electronic address: zhengz@lsu.edu.
authors.forename: Jolene
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, United States.
authors.forename: Frank L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Greenway
authors.affiliation: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, United States.
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Heymsfield
authors.affiliation: Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, United States.
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States.
authors.forename: Jason F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States.
authors.forename: Chenfei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: PepsiCo Global R&D, Barrington, IL 60010, United States.
authors.forename: Yi-Fang
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Finley
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008136:Longevity / Q000187:drug effects; D011972:Receptor, Insulin / Q000172:deficiency; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013549:Sweetening Agents; D011972:Receptor, Insulin
keywords: Insulin sensitivity; Intense sweetener; Lipids; Metabolism