Consumption of Non-Nutritive Sweetener, Acesulfame Potassium Exacerbates Atherosclerosis through Dysregulation of Lipid Metabolism in ApoE-/- Mice.

Cheng-Hsin Lin,Yang-Ching Chen,Shu-Huei Wang,Hung-Tsung Wu,Yue-Hwa Chen,Hung-Yuan Li

doi:10.3390/nu13113984

Abstract

Obesity is associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease, and non-nutritive sweetener, such as acesulfame potassium (AceK) has been used to combat obesity. However, the effects of AceK on cardiovascular disease are still unclear. In this study, high cholesterol diet (HCD)-fed ApoE−/− mice had dysregulated plasma lipid profile, and developed atherosclerosis, determined by atherosclerotic plaque in the aorta. Supplement of AceK in HCD worsened the dyslipidemia and increased atherosclerotic plaque, as compared with HCD-fed ApoE−/− mice. Since treatment of AceK in RAW264.7 macrophages showed no significant effects on inflammatory cytokine expressions, we then investigated the impacts of AceK on lipid metabolism. We found that AceK consumption enhanced hepatic lipogenesis and decreased β-oxidation in ApoE−/− mice. In addition, AceK directly increased lipogenesis and decreased β-oxidation in HepG2 cells. Taken together, a concurrent consumption of AceK exacerbated HCD-induced dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic lesion in ApoE−/− mice, and AceK might increase the risk of atherosclerosis under HCD.

Highlights

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of AceK on the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE−/−) mice
It was known that high cholesterol diet (HCD) accelerated the development of atherosclerosis, as compared with chow diet in ApoE−/− mice
A notably atherosclerotic plaque was formed in the aortic sinus in HCD-fed ApoE−/− mice

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is a multifactorial disease that is linked with high prevalence rates of noncommunicable diseases [1–3]. The growing trend of obesity makes it as a serious public health threat that exhibits no boundaries [4]. The global prevalence of obesity has almost tripled since 1975 and obesity has a serious impact on human health [4]. Ample evidence has disclosed that sugar consumption is fueling the epidemic of obesity, elevating the risk of obesity-related morbidities [5]. Obesity contributes directly to the incidence of cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and hypertension [6]. Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death globally [7]. The public health issue of obesity should be taken seriously

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