Could aspartame exacerbate caffeine effects on renal maturation in rat's offspring? A biochemical and histological study.

Background: Caffeine and aspartame (ASP) are mostly used as a diet regimen to reduce overweight. The risk increase if used during critical life periods that may affect the development of fetal organs.

Objective: To evaluate the individual and combined effects of maternal exposure to caffeine and ASP during gestation and lactation on the kidneys' development of rats' offspring.

Methods: Pregnant rats were divided randomly into four groups; Group I (control group). Group II (ASP group): ASP was given at a dose of 40 mg of /kg/day. Group III (Caffeine group): caffeine was given at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day. Group IV (ASP & caffeine group); where previous doses of ASP and caffeine were given at the same time. All the treatments were given by oral gavage from the first day of pregnancy until postnatal day 30. Kidneys of rats' offspring were dissected and tested for detection of oxidative stress markers and for histopathological & immunohistochemical examination.

Results: This study showed a high significant increase in oxidative load (malondialdehyde) in renal tissues in group IV associated with decreased activities of total glutathione and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase). Histological and morphometric examination results showed delayed maturation of renal tissues in Group II and III, but more deleterious effects were observed in group IV with a lot of pathological changes in renal tissues.

Conclusion: The extensive use of caffeine and ASP should be controlled to avoid the risk of their toxicity.