Understanding the link between aspartame and cancer.

Introduction: Aspartame, invented in 1965 by GD-Searle, is an intense artificial sweetener taste approximately 200 times as sweet as sucrose and used as an additive in more than 6,000 products. Aspartame (APM) was submitted for pre-marketing safety evaluation in early 1980. The studies, performed by GD-Searle, produced controversial results.

A call from 40 public health scientists for an end to the continuing humanitarian and environmental catastrophe in Gaza.

An under-recognised aspect of the current humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is the impact of the war on the environment and the associated risks for human health. This commentary contextualises these impacts against the background of human suffering produced by the overwhelming violence associated with the use of military force against the general population of Gaza. In calling for an immediate cessation to the violence, the authors draw attention to the urgent need to rebuild the health care system and restore the physical and human infrastructure that makes a liveable environment possible and promotes human health and well-being, especially for the most vulnerable in the population.

The Critical Importance of Molecular Biomarkers and Imaging in the Study of Electrohypersensitivity. A Scientific Consensus International Report.

Clinical research aiming at objectively identifying and characterizing diseases via clinical observations and biological and radiological findings is a critical initial research step when establishing objective diagnostic criteria and treatments. Failure to first define such diagnostic criteria may lead research on pathogenesis and etiology to serious confounding biases and erroneous medical interpretations. This is particularly the case for electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and more particularly for the so-called "provocation tests", which do not investigate the causal origin of EHS but rather the EHS-associated particular environmental intolerance state with hypersensitivity to man-made electromagnetic fields (EMF).

The carcinogenic potential of non-ionizing radiations: The cases of S-50 Hz MF and 1.8 GHz GSM radiofrequency radiation.

Epidemiological studies have suggested that human exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields from the electric power and to mobile phone radiofrequency electromagnetic fields induce an increased risk of developing malignant tumours. However, no adequate laboratory data, in particular long-term carcinogenicity bioassays to support the epidemiological evidence, have yet been available. This motivated the Ramazzini Institute to embark on a first project of four large life-span carcinogenic bioassays conducted on over 7000 Sprague Dawley rats exposed from prenatal life until natural death to S-50 Hz MF alone or combined with gamma radiation or formaldehyde or aflatoxin B1.

Timescales of developmental toxicity impacting on research and needs for intervention.

Much progress has happened in understanding developmental vulnerability to preventable environmental hazards. Along with the improved insight, the perspective has widened, and developmental toxicity now involves latent effects that can result in delayed adverse effects in adults or at old age and additional effects that can be transgenerationally transferred to future generations. Although epidemiology and toxicology to an increasing degree are exploring the adverse effects from developmental exposures in human beings, the improved documentation has resulted in little progress in protection, and few environmental chemicals are currently regulated to protect against developmental toxicity, whether it be neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption or other adverse outcome.

A transcriptomic analysis of black cohosh: Actein alters cholesterol biosynthesis pathways and synergizes with simvastatin.

Previous studies indicate that the herb black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) and the triterpene glycoside actein inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells and activate stress-associated responses. This study assessed the transcriptomic effects of black cohosh and actein on rat liver tissue, using Ingenuity and ToxFX analyses.

Synergism between sinusoidal-50 Hz magnetic field and formaldehyde in triggering carcinogenic effects in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background: Experimental rodent bioassays performed up to now have failed to provide conclusive confirmation of the carcinogenicity of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMF).

Objectives: To evaluate the potential synergistic carcinogenic effects of concurrent exposure to ELFMF and formaldehyde in four groups of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Methods: One group was exposed from prenatal life until natural death to S-50 Hz MF and to formaldehyde in drinking water from 6 weeks of age for 104 weeks, two groups were treated only with formaldehyde or only with MF and one group served as untreated control.

Life-span exposure to sinusoidal-50 Hz magnetic field and acute low-dose γ radiation induce carcinogenic effects in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background In 2002 the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMF) as a possible carcinogen on the basis of epidemiological evidence. Experimental bioassays on rats and mice performed up to now on ELFMF alone or in association with known carcinogens have failed to provide conclusive confirmation. Objectives To study the carcinogenic effects of combined exposure to sinusoidal-50 Hz (S-50 Hz) magnetic fields and acute γ radiation in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Life-span carcinogenicity studies on Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to γ-radiation: design of the project and report on the tumor occurrence after post-natal radiation exposure (6 weeks of age) delivered in a single acute exposure.

Background: Experimental long-term carcinogenicity bioassays conducted on rats and mice proved that ionizing radiation can induce a variety of tumor types. However few studies have been conducted on rats.

Methods: This report deals with the effects of γ-radiation in groups of 416-1,051 6-weeks old Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to 0, 0.

The carcinogenic effects of aspartame: The urgent need for regulatory re-evaluation.

Aspartame (APM) is an artificial sweetener used since the 1980s, now present in >6,000 products, including over 500 pharmaceuticals. Since its discovery in 1965, and its first approval by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) in 1981, the safety of APM, and in particular its carcinogenicity potential, has been controversial. The present commentary reviews the adequacy of the design and conduct of carcinogenicity bioassays on rodents submitted by G.

Chemopreventive potential of black cohosh on breast cancer in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background/aim: This study examines the chemopreventive potential and action of the herb black cohosh on Sprague-Dawley rats.

Materials And Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with an extract of black cohosh enriched in triterpene glycosides (27%) at 35.7 (Group I), 7.

Pharmacological mechanisms of black cohosh in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background: Studies indicate that extracts and purified components from black cohosh inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells, but the molecular targets and signaling pathways have not yet been defined.

Purpose: This study examines the pharmacological mechanisms and toxicological effects in the short term of the herb black cohosh on female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Materials And Methods: To assess effects on gene activity and lipid content, we treated female Sprague-Dawley rats with an extract of black cohosh enriched in triterpene glycosides (27%) at 35.

Aspartame administered in feed, beginning prenatally through life span, induces cancers of the liver and lung in male Swiss mice.

Background: Aspartame (APM) is a well-known intense artificial sweetener used in more than 6,000 products. Among the major users of aspartame are children and women of childbearing age. In previous lifespan experiments conducted on Sprague-Dawley rats we have shown that APM is a carcinogenic agent in multiple sites and that its effects are increased when exposure starts from prenatal life.

The case for a global ban on asbestos.

Background: All forms of asbestos are now banned in 52 countries. Safer products have replaced many materials that once were made with it. Nonetheless, many countries still use, import, and export asbestos and asbestos-containing products, and in those that have banned other forms of asbestos, the so-called "controlled use" of chrysotile asbestos is often exempted from the ban.

Effects of different electromagnetic fields on circadian rhythms of some haematochemical parameters in rats.

Objective: To investigate the effects of different electromagnetic fields on some haematochemical parameters of circadian rhythms in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Methods: The study was carried out in 18 male and 18 female rats in good health conditions exposed to 50 Hz magnetic sinusoid fields at the intensity of 1000 microT, 100 microT, and 0 microT (control group) respectively, and in 18 male and 18 female rats in good health conditions exposed to 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields at the intensity of 50 V/m, 25 V/m and 0 V/m (control group), respectively.

[The role of scientific research in the identification of occupational carcinogenic agents: the contribution of the Cesare Maltoni Cancer research center of the European Ramazzini Foundation].

Nowadays tumours represent one of the major problems of public health, both for their epidemiological dimension as for the causes that are at their origin, represented by three important factors: people ageing, general and occupational environmental pollution, including incongruous individual behaviour, and individual genetic susceptibility. The strategies followed till today in order to check tumours have privileged the role of therapeutic interventions: the results achieved show the great limits. On the contrary, current scientific experiences indicate the need to re-orientate present strategies, developing prevention programmes for the identification of carcinogenic risks (primary prevention), and early diagnosis of preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions (secondary prevention).

Consequences of exposure to carcinogens beginning during developmental life.

The increased incidence of cancer over the last 50-60 years may be largely attributed to two factors: the ageing of the population and the diffusion of agents and situations presenting carcinogenic risks. Today, we have entered into a new era in which populations are ever-increasingly exposed to diffuse carcinogenic risks, present not only in the occupational, but also in the general environment. We must now also consider an additional factor in the carcinogenic process, that is, the age in which exposure to carcinogenic risks begins.

Life-span exposure to low doses of aspartame beginning during prenatal life increases cancer effects in rats.

Background: In a previous study conducted at the Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center of the European Ramazzini Foundation (CMCRC/ERF), we demonstrated for the first time that aspartame (APM) is a multipotent carcinogenic agent when various doses are administered with feed to Sprague-Dawley rats from 8 weeks of age throughout the life span.

Objective: The aim of this second study is to better quantify the carcinogenic risk of APM, beginning treatment during fetal life.

Methods: We studied groups of 70-95 male and female Sprague-Dawley rats administered APM (2,000, 400, or 0 ppm) with feed from the 12th day of fetal life until natural death.

Results of long-term carcinogenicity bioassays on Coca-Cola administered to Sprague-Dawley rats.

Coca-Cola was invented in May 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia by a pharmacist who, by accident or design, mixed carbonated water with the syrup of sugar, phosphoric acid, caffeine, and other natural flavors to create what is known as "the world's favorite soft drink." Coca-Cola is currently sold in more than 200 countries and in early 2000, the company sold its 10 billionth unit case of Coca-Cola branded products. Given the worldwide consumption of Coca-Cola, a project of experimental bioassays to study its long-term effects when administered as substitute for drinking water on male and female Sprague-Dawley rats was planned and executed.

Results of a long-term carcinogenicity bioassay on Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to sodium arsenite administered in drinking water.

Arsenic (As) is a metal found in nature whose acute and chronic toxic effects have been known for decades. Hundreds of millions of people are at risk of exposure to As and its various chemical forms which can occur in the occupational and general environment in air, water, soil, food, and medicines. Several epidemiological studies have shown that prolonged exposure to As can induce various types of malignant tumors in humans, namely, skin, lung, liver, kidney, and bladder cancers.

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.

First experimental demonstration of the multipotential carcinogenic effects of aspartame administered in the feed to Sprague-Dawley rats.

The Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center of the European Ramazzini Foundation has conducted a long-term bioassay on aspartame (APM), a widely used artificial sweetener. APM was administered with feed to 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (100-150/sex/group), at concentrations of 100,000, 50,000, 10,000, 2,000, 400, 80, or 0 ppm. The treatment lasted until natural death, at which time all deceased animals underwent complete necropsy.