Search Results (215)

Aspartame, a widely used artificial sweetener, has been linked to various cancers, including kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study employed network toxicology and molecular docking to investigate potential mechanisms of aspartame-induced KIRP. Differentially expressed genes from TCGA were intersected with aspartame targets and KIRP-related genes, yielding 61 common targets. GO and KEGG analyses revealed enrichment in extracellular matrix degradation, signaling pathways, and immune microenvironment regulation. Univariate Cox regression identified 23 prognostically significant genes, from which multifactorial Cox regression with stepwise selection determined 8 core genes (APLNR, CYP2C19, EDNRA, KLK5, F2R, RAD51, AURKA, and TLR2). A risk model was constructed and validated through VIF analysis, Schoenfeld residual testing, and internal validation using a training–validation split. SHAP analysis identified EDNRA as the primary driver gene. Survival analysis demonstrated that the model effectively stratified KIRP patients, with risk score and tumor stage serving as independent prognostic factors. Molecular docking confirmed stable binding between aspartame and core target proteins. These findings provide mechanistic insights into aspartame-induced KIRP pathogenesis and establish a foundation for future experimental validation. Full article

The use of sweeteners in e-cigarette liquids has become increasingly common, aiming to enhance the sensory appeal of vaping products. Compounds like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose are added to provide a sweet taste without any calories, especially in flavored e-liquids popular among younger users. However, recent studies suggest that these additives may pose significant health risks when vaporized and inhaled. Sucralose, in particular, can break down into potentially harmful chlorinated by-products at high temperatures typical of vaping devices. Moreover, there is growing concern about the synergistic effects of sweeteners like sucralose, one sweetener with another and when combined with other e-liquid components. It has been observed that the presence of sucralose may amplify oxidative stress; genotoxicity, including mutations; and overall toxicity, along with environmental impact. This is not limited to nicotine- and smoke-related harm, as it may strengthen the toxic effect of the substances used in e-liquids that are not present in traditional cigarettes. The combined exposure to these heated compounds can intensify cytotoxicity, potentially increasing the risk of respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological effects over time. While marketed as safer alternatives to tobacco, e-cigarettes containing sweeteners like sucralose may introduce new and poorly understood toxicological hazards that deserve urgent regulatory attention. Full article

Green microalgae are widely used as model organisms in ecotoxicology due to their sensitivity to environmental stressors and their critical role in aquatic ecosystems as primary producers at the bottom of the food web. Pulse-Amplitude Modulated (PAM) chlorophyll fluorometry is a non-destructive, rapid and informative method for assessing photosynthetic efficiency and culture health, particularly through parameters such as the maximum photochemical activity of PSII (F_v/F_m) and effective PSII activity (Φ_PSII). Despite the growing number of studies utilizing PAM as an indicator rather than as a direct tool to evaluate microalgal stress responses, there remains a lack of standardized, accessible data for these key photosynthetic indicators. In this review, we analyze 38 sources, including 35 original research articles and 3 foundational references, to compile and compare reported values of F_v/F_m and Φ_PSII across various green microalgae species exposed to a wide range of chemical and environmental stressors. We highlight species-specific differences in sensitivity, identify underrepresented contaminants such as ionic liquids and artificial sweeteners, and emphasize the need for systematic numerical reporting in future research. PAM is an excellent and reliable technique for rapidly assessing culture health of green microalgae and their photosynthetic performance in various culture conditions and the vast array of chemical and physical stressors. Full article

Background: Excessive fructose intake has been linked to adverse metabolic outcomes, yet few studies have comprehensively described the clinical, behavioral, and nutritional patterns associated with different intake levels using machine learning. Methods: In this study, unsupervised and supervised algorithms were applied to a healthy Mexican cohort to examine features related to high fructose consumption, defined as intake above 25 g per day. Results: K-Means clustering identified three distinct profiles, with one subgroup showing less favorable anthropometric, biochemical, and behavioral characteristics. Supervised models, including Extreme Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, and Histogram-based Gradient Boosting, distinguished fructose intake levels with balanced accuracies around 80% and AUC up to 88.1%. Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAPs)-based interpretation highlighted body mass index, triglycerides, sleep duration, alcohol consumption, and anxiety indicators as features most consistently associated with high intake. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the multifactorial nature of fructose consumption and illustrate the utility of machine learning for uncovering dietary and metabolic patterns that warrant further investigation and may guide future nutrition-focused strategies. Full article

Ensuring food safety and quality has become increasingly critical due to the complexities introduced by globalization, industrialization, and extended supply chains. Traditional analytical methods for food quality control, such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, while accurate, face limitations including high costs, lengthy analysis times, and limited suitability for on-site rapid monitoring. Electrochemical sensors integrated with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have emerged as promising alternatives, combining high selectivity and sensitivity with portability and affordability. MIPs, often termed ‘plastic antibodies,’ are synthetic receptors capable of selective molecular recognition, tailored specifically for target analytes. This review comprehensively discusses recent advancements in MIP-based electrochemical sensing platforms, highlighting their applications in detecting various food quality markers. It particularly emphasizes the detection of antioxidants—both natural (e.g., vitamins, phenolics) and synthetic (e.g., BHA, TBHQ), artificial sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, acesulfame-K), colorants (e.g., azo dyes, anthocyanins), traditional contaminants (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals), and toxicants such as mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxins, ochratoxins). The synthesis methods, including bulk, precipitation, surface imprinting, sol–gel polymerization, and electropolymerization (EP), are critically evaluated for their effectiveness in creating highly selective binding sites. Furthermore, the integration of advanced nanomaterials, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and metallic nanoparticles, into these platforms to enhance sensitivity, selectivity, and stability is examined. Practical challenges, including sensor reusability, regeneration strategies, and adaptability to complex food matrices, are addressed. Finally, the review provides an outlook on future developments and practical considerations necessary to transition these innovative MIP electrochemical sensors from laboratory research to widespread adoption in industry and regulatory settings, ultimately ensuring comprehensive food safety and consumer protection. Full article

Unlike sucrose, sucralose is a non-cariogenic artificial sweetener, commonly included in dental care products such as chewing gums, toothpastes, and mouth rinses to enhance palatability for consumers. While its non-cariogenic action is well established, there is limited evidence regarding the potential anti-cariogenic mechanisms of sucralose. This study investigated whether sucralose interferes with QS involved in oral bacterial biofilm formation. A representative LuxR-type QS regulator, LasR, was expressed in the presence of sucralose and/or its native ligand, N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL). The expressed protein was purified using nickel-affinity chromatography and quantified by the Bradford assay. The findings reveal that sucralose significantly inhibits AHL-dependent signaling, presumably by disrupting receptor–ligand interactions. These results provide insights into a possible molecular mechanism underlying the anti-cariogenic action of sucralose, highlighting its potential as a functional additive in oral health formulations. Full article

The growing consumption of synthetically manufactured sugar substitutes, coupled with the lack of adequate national and international regulations, has led to the presence of various compounds, in different environmental matrices. Within this group, artificial sweeteners, despite their prevalence in mass consumption products, are one of the least studied pollutants. The high consumption of artificial sweeteners, together with the low efficiency of wastewater treatment plants, facilitates their detection in various aquatic ecosystems at concentrations ranging from ng to µg L⁻¹. These concentrations have shown to generate adverse effects on the organisms that inhabit these aquatic ecosystems. The main objective of this review is to provide updated information on the global consumption of sweeteners, reported concentrations in various environmental matrices, and, in particular, the effects of exposure to these compounds on aquatic organisms. Full article

The environmental persistence of sucralose (SUC), a recalcitrant artificial sweetener, has raised significant ecological concerns owing to its notable resistance to both thermal and biological degradation. This study focused on the eight major river basins in Zhejiang Province and used the LC-MS/MS external standard method to systematically detect the environmental occurrence of SUC. Significant spatial variations were observed. The highest concentration recorded in the river was 6.60 μg/L in the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. In contrast, the Ou River showed almost no detectable concentration. Higher contamination levels were consistently found in urban-adjacent areas, particularly near Hangzhou metropolitan region. Distinct seasonal patterns were also identified, with peak concentrations occurring during summer months. Through the application of the seasonal Kendall trend analysis, an increasing trend was projected for seven of the eight river systems studied, with the Ou River being the sole exception. Furthermore, the accuracy of the model’s prediction results was verified by comparing the data from the 2024 experimental tests with the model’s predicted results. By comparing the data from the experimental tests in 2024 with the model’s predictions, the results showed that, except for the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the relative deviations of the other rivers were all less than 5.00%. This indicates that the model had a high accuracy in predicting the changing trend of concentrations. This study provided fundamental data for understanding sucralose’s environmental behavior in the Yangtze River Delta watersheds, serving as a critical baseline data for ecological risk assessments and contributing to water resource sustainability. And the ecological or toxicological implications of SUC pollution require further study. Furthermore, this study developed a transferable methodological framework for monitoring artificial sweetener contamination across diverse aquatic ecosystems. Full article

Background: FDA-approved artificial sweeteners (ASs) are widely used in food products due to their low-calorie content and high sweetness. However, growing evidence links them to adverse metabolic effects, including stroke and coronary heart disease. The musculoskeletal system, as a key metabolic target organ, has gradually gained attention, but the potential impact of ASs on its health remains unclear. Objective: This systematic review aims to assess the effects of ASs on bone and muscle, explore the underlying biological mechanisms and provide guidance for future research. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science using relevant keywords from inception to 25 June 2025. Studies written in English, available in full text, and investigating FDA-approved ASs in relation to the musculoskeletal system were included. Two independent reviewers screened and selected the eligible studies. The findings were summarized using a narrative synthesis approach. Results: A total of 15 studies (12 preclinical, 3 clinical), covering aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, and saccharin were included from an initial pool of 662 articles identified across PubMed (168), Embase (368), and Web of Science (126). Among them, twelve studies focused on skeletal effects, four on muscles, and two on joints; three studies reported multiple outcomes. No studies investigated ligaments or tendons. Conclusions: Based on our search, this review provides a narrative synthesis of the available evidence on ASs influencing skeletal structure, development, biomechanical strength, and skeletal muscle metabolism. Potential mechanisms involve gut microbiota, oxidative stress, and signaling pathways such as SIRT1/FOXO3a and PGC-1α/UCP3. Further research is warranted to clarify these mechanisms and to assess the chronic health effects of long-term AS exposure on the musculoskeletal system in human populations. Full article

Industrialized processing has increased the complexity of the food supply chain. Concerns about food-related risks have increased consumer interest in food traceability. Traceability systems are regarded as effective tools for mitigating information asymmetry and enhancing food quality and safety. However, the design of traditional food traceability systems overlooks the risk of information overload. Based on information overload theory, this study designs an artificial intelligence (AI) traceability assistant as an innovative tool to optimize traditional food traceability systems and examines its positive effects. This study focuses on prepared foods as the research objects, selecting three types of prepared foods (Kung Pao chicken, fish-flavored shredded pork, and pickled fish) and three food traceability tasks (preservatives, sweeteners, and drug residues) as experimental stimuli. Through three online scenario experiments, 747 valid responses were collected. This study explores the impact of AI traceability assistant design on positive consumer engagement behaviors and its underlying mechanism. The results reveal that the AI traceability assistant significantly promotes positive consumer engagement behaviors. This positive effect is mediated by perceived system ease of use. Furthermore, perceived product risk positively moderates the impact of the AI traceability assistant on perceived system ease of use. Perceived product risk strengthens the mediating effect of perceived system ease of use. This study contributes a novel theoretical perspective for research on food traceability systems and reveals the underlying mechanism through which the AI traceability assistant exerts its positive effect. In practice, it provides actionable guidance for food producers implementing digital traceability solutions. Full article

The global rise in obesity and metabolic disorders has intensified the demand for safe and effective sugar alternatives. Monellin, a naturally sweet protein derived from Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii, serves as an excellent sugar alternative, but its broader application has been constrained by poor thermal stability and limited evaluation of long-term metabolic effects. In this study, we evaluated the metabolic effects of MNEI-Mut6, a boiling-resistant single-chain monellin variant, in male C57BL/6 mice fed standard chow supplemented with either 4% sucrose or an equivalent sweetness concentration of MNEI-Mut6 for 16 weeks. Compared with sucrose, MNEI-Mut6 did not promote weight gain, preserved insulin sensitivity, and maintained glucose homeostasis. In addition, MNEI-Mut6 reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and adipocyte hypertrophy without inducing hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic effects. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that MNEI-Mut6, a thermally stable and metabolically neutral sweetener, is a promising and safer alternative to sucrose and artificial sweeteners suitable for application in food processing and product formulation. Full article

Artificial sweeteners, or non-caloric sweeteners (NCSs), are widely consumed as sugar substitutes to reduce energy intake and manage obesity. Once considered inert, accumulating evidence now shows that NCSs interact with host physiology, altering gut microbiota composition and neural circuits that regulate feeding. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how NCSs disrupt the gut–brain axis (GBA), with particular focus on microbiota-mediated effects and neural reward processing. In homeostatic regulation, NCS-induced dysbiosis reduces beneficial taxa such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, diminishes short-chain fatty acid production, impairs gut barrier integrity, and promotes systemic inflammation. These changes blunt satiety signaling and favor appetite-promoting pathways. Beyond homeostasis, NCSs also rewire hedonic circuits: unlike caloric sugars, which couple sweet taste with caloric reinforcement to robustly activate dopaminergic and hypothalamic pathways, NCSs provide sensory sweetness without energy, weakening reward prediction error signaling and altering neuropeptidergic modulation by orexin, neurotensin, and oxytocin. Microbial disruption further exacerbates dopaminergic instability by reducing precursors and metabolites critical for reward regulation. Together, these top-down (neural) and bottom-up (microbial) mechanisms converge to foster maladaptive food seeking, metabolic dysregulation, and increased vulnerability to overeating. Identifying whether microbiome-targeted interventions can counteract these effects is a key research priority for mitigating the impact of NCSs on human health. Full article

Background: Artificial sweeteners, widely used as non-nutritive sugar substitutes, are increasingly prevalent in ultra-processed products. Although promoted for weight management due to their minimal caloric content, their impact on systemic inflammation remains uncertain. This systematic review of animal studies aims to evaluate the association between artificial sweetener consumption and inflammatory biomarkers. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted up to May 2025 across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, following PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251084004). Risk of bias was assessed using the ARRIVE guidelines and SCYRCLE’s risk of bias tool. Results: Thirty-seven animal studies were included: aspartame (n = 17), sucralose (n = 16), acesulfame potassium (n = 5), and saccharin (n = 4). Protocols varied in terms of dosage, exposure duration, animal models, and assessment of inflammatory outcomes, including C-reactive protein, interleukins (IL-6 and IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Aspartame and sucralose could elevate inflammatory markers, with sucralose also disrupting gut integrity and microbiota. Acesulfame K and saccharin showed variable, dose-dependent effects. Conclusions: This systematic review of animal studies suggests a possible mechanistic association between the consumption of certain artificial sweeteners and systemic inflammation. However, this relationship remains to be clarified and warrants exploration through well-designed, large-scale randomized controlled trials. Full article

The increasing consumption of artificially sweetened beverages among young people, coupled with prevalent digital technology use, presents growing public health concerns regarding potential effects on health and behavior. This study aimed to determine the concentrations of three commonly used artificial sweeteners—acesulfame K, saccharin, and aspartame—in soft drinks available on the market in Osijek, Croatia, to assess their compliance with European Union regulations, and to investigate the consumption patterns and possible associations with internet addiction among university students. Laboratory analysis of 43 beverages was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection, while a cross-sectional survey of 792 students collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, beverage consumption, and internet use. Acesulfame K was the most frequently detected sweetener, followed by aspartame and saccharin, with mean concentrations of 50.1 mg/L, 22.7 mg/L, and 19.76 mg/L, respectively. Overall, 85.7% of the students stated that they consumed artificially sweetened drinks, with an average consumption of 0.2 L/day. Internet addiction was found in 39.8% of the participants, but no significant correlation was found between beverage consumption and internet addiction (p = 0.177). All measured concentrations of sweeteners were below the legal limits. These results suggest that while exposure to artificial sweeteners in beverages is within safe limits, further research is needed to assess cumulative intake and its potential impact on behavioral health in young adults. Full article

Non-nutritive artificial sweeteners (NASs) are xenobiotics widely used in the food industry as sugar substitutes, since they provide few to no calories compared to sucrose. While NASs are considered safe at the acceptable daily intake (ADI) established by regulatory agencies, there is increasing controversy regarding their potential ability to promote metabolic derangements, especially to disrupt the gut microbiome balance. In this study, we analyzed a large cohort of the most commonly consumed beverages in Spain, categorizing them by the type of soda to determine the composition and content of the most frequently used NASs in the food industry. All commercial NAS formulations analyzed contained mixtures of different NASs. The NAS contents were always within regulated limits, although some samples yielded values close to these thresholds. Most soda samples analyzed contained NASs, even though the majority were not labeled as “zero sugars”, “no sugar added”, or “reduced calories”, which may mislead consumers. A preliminary statistical evaluation of the obtained results (cluster analysis) suggests that beverages can be grouped into three distinct clusters based on the total amount of NAS present in the samples. Differences in the total NAS content were significant among the three groups, with one cluster showing two- and four-fold higher levels than the others. Full article