Results of long-term carcinogenicity bioassay on Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to aspartame administered in feed.

Aspartame (APM) is one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners in the world. Its ever-growing use in more than 6000 products, such as soft drinks, chewing gum, candy, desserts, etc., has been accompanied by rising consumer concerns regarding its safety, in particular its potential long-term carcinogenic effects.

Results of long-term carcinogenicity bioassay on vinyl acetate monomer in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) was administered in drinking water supplied ad libitum at doses of 5,000, 1,000, and 0 ppm (v/v) to 17-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (breeders) and to 12-day embryos (offspring). Treatment lasted for 104 weeks; thereafter, animals were kept under control conditions until spontaneous death. VAM was found to cause an increase in total malignant tumors and in carcinomas and/or precursor lesions of the oral cavity, lips, tongue, esophagus, and forestomach.

Results of long-term carcinogenicity bioassays on tert-amyl-methyl-ether (TAME) and di-isopropyl-ether (DIPE) in rats.

Tert-amyl-methyl ether (TAME) was administered by gavage in extra virgin olive oil solution at concentrations of 750, 250, or 0 mg/kg bw to groups of 100 male and 100 female Sprague-Dawley rats 8 weeks old at the start of the experiment. Di-isopropyl ether (DIPE) was administered in the same manner at the doses of 1000, 250, or 0 mg/kg body weight to groups of 100 male and 100 female Sprague-Dawley rats. TAME and DIPE were each delivered in 1-mL solution 4 days a week for 78 weeks.

Ramazzini Foundation cancer program: history and major projects, life-span carcinogenicity bioassay design, chemicals studied, and results.

The Ramazzini Foundation research program was started over thirty years ago. The features of this program are: (1) systematic and integrated project design; (2) consistency over time; (3) homogeneity of approach: key members of the team remain unchanged; and (4) choice to work on new frontiers of scientific research. The program centers mainly on three projects: Project 1: experimental carcinogenicity bioassays; Project 2: experimental anticarcinogenesis assays to identify factors and active principles (compounds) capable of opposing the onset of tumors while being suitable for preventive/chemopreventive intervention; Project 3: epidemiological studies, both descriptive and analytical, on tumor incidence and mortality in persons professionally and environmentally exposed to industrial carcinogenic risks.