Sucralose, A Synthetic Organochlorine Sweetener: Overview Of Biological Issues

Abstract

Sucralose is a synthetic organochlorine sweetener (OC) that is a common ingredient in the world's food supply. Sucralose interacts with chemosensors in the alimentary tract that play a role in sweet taste sensation and hormone secretion. In rats, sucralose ingestion was shown to increase the expression of the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and two cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isozymes in the intestine. P-gp and CYP are key components of the presystemic detoxification system involved in first-pass drug metabolism. The effect of sucralose on first-pass drug metabolism in humans, however, has not yet been determined. In rats, sucralose alters the microbial composition in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), with relatively greater reduction in beneficial bacteria. Although early studies asserted that sucralose passes through the GIT unchanged, subsequent analysis suggested that some of the ingested sweetener is metabolized in the GIT, as indicated by multiple peaks found in thin-layer radiochromatographic profiles of methanolic fecal extracts after oral sucralose administration. The identity and safety profile of these putative sucralose metabolites are not known at this time. Sucralose and one of its hydrolysis products were found to be mutagenic at elevated concentrations in several testing methods. Cooking with sucralose at high temperatures was reported to generate chloropropanols, a potentially toxic class of compounds. Both human and rodent studies demonstrated that sucralose may alter glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) levels. Taken together, these findings indicate that sucralose is not a biologically inert compound.

Sucralose Destabilization of Protein Structure

“…10−17 It is widely believed that because of its low bioavailability any presence in the environment would have minimal impact; however, as has been recently shown for animal studies, 14,17,18 and as we demonstrate in this work, sucralose can interact strongly with biomolecules. We compare its physical interactions with those of the natural disaccharide sucrose.…”

Glycemic impact of non-nutritive sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…In addition to having a range of sweetness intensities, the structural differences lead to different amounts of NNSs absorbed and post-ingestive behaviors [55][56][57][58][59][60][61]. Despite these differences, our results suggest no differential glycemic impact by type of NNS.…”

Physiological and Ethological Disruptions Induced by a Mixture of Saccharose/Sucralose 99.5/0.5 - A Study on Ants as Models

“…Contrary to some reviews stating the safety of sucralose 5,32 , a recent review shows that this substance is not biologically inert and may be harmful 33 , even if not hydrolyzed in chloropropanols. Sucralose even affects the insuline responses in obese people, although it is used for losing weight 34 .…”