Saccharin and Sucralose Protect the Glomerular Microvasculature In Vitro against VEGF-Induced Permeability.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become a global health concern, with about 40% of people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus developing DKD. Upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the kidney is a significant pathology of DKD associated with increased glomerular vascular permeability. To date, however, current anti-VEGF therapies have demonstrated limited success in treating DKD.

Activation of the sweet taste receptor T1R3 by sucralose attenuates VEGF-induced vasculogenesis in a cell model of the retinal microvascular endothelium.

Background: One of the most prevalent microvascular complications for patients with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy (DR) associated with increased retinal endothelial blood vessel formation. Treatments to reduce vascularisation in the retinal endothelium are linked to improved sight in patients with DR. Recently, we have demonstrated the novel protective role of the artificial sweetener, sucralose, and the sweet taste receptor, T1R3, in the pulmonary endothelium to reduce vascular leak.