Abstract
Background: Direct relation between excessive sugar consumption and multiple systemic disorders was suggested. Artificial sweeteners whether natural or synthetic have been used as prophylactic or curative agents against these disorders.
Aim: The present study investigated the histopathological effects of high doses of Aspartame or Stevia on the alveolar bone of albino rats.
Materials and method: This study was carried out using ninety-eight adult healthy male albino rats. The rats were divided into seven main equal groups) each consisted of fourteen rats. Aspartame groups (group I, group II, group III) that were given Aspartame in a daily dose of 40, 62, 125 mg/kg body weight, and Stevia groups (group I, group II, group III that were given Stevia in a daily dose of 4, 62, 125 mg/kg body weight dissolved in distilled water via gastric tube over a period of 12 weeks. Control group: consisted of fourteen rats that were given distilled water orally daily during the experimental period.
Results: The histopathological results revealed marked destructive changes in the alveolar bone from rats administrated high doses of Stevia or Aspartame in the form of widening in the marrow spaces with thin interconnected bone trabeculae. Histomorphometrically, a significant difference in the bone area % has been recorded between Aspartame groups (II, III), Stevia groups (II, III), and the control group.
Conclusion: The histomorphometric analyses and qRT-PCR results confirmed the histopathological findings and proved more deleterious biological effects of high doses of Stevia on the alveolar bone of albino rats than high doses of Aspartame.
Keywords: Alveolar bone, Aspartame, Stevia,