Abstract
Obesity is a major public health problem that is highly associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, two conditions associated with circadian disruption. To date, dieting is one of the only interventions that result in substantial weight loss, but restricting caloric intake is difficult to maintain long-term. The use of artificial sweeteners, particularly in individuals that consume sugar sweetened beverages (energy drinks, soda), can reduce caloric intake and possibly facilitate weight loss. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of the artificial sweetener, rebaudioside A (Reb-A), on circadian rhythms, in vivo insulin action, and the susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. Six month old male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to a control or Reb-A (0.1% Reb-A supplemented drinking water) group for six months. Circadian wheel running rhythms, body weight, caloric intake, insulin action, and susceptibility to diet-induced obesity were assessed. Time of peak physical activity under a 12:12 light-dark (LD) cycle, mean activity levels, and circadian period in constant dark were not significantly different in mice that consumed Reb-A supplemented water compared to normal drinking water, indicating that circadian rhythms and biological clock function were unaltered. Although wheel running significantly reduced body weight in both Reb-A and control mice (P = 0.0001), consuming Reb-A supplemented water did not alter the changes in body weight following wheel running (P = 0.916). In vivo insulin action, as assessed by glucose, insulin, and pyruvate tolerance tests, was not different between mice that consumed Reb-A treated water compared to normal drinking water. Finally, Reb-A does not appear to change the susceptibility to diet-induced obesity as both groups of mice gained similar amounts of body weight when placed on a high fat diet. Our results indicate that consuming Reb-A supplemented water does not promote circadian disruption, insulin resistance, or obesity.
Highlights
Obesity is an increasingly prevalent metabolic disease [1] that is associated with elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a disease that affects approximately 24 million Americans [2] and adds an estimated $245 billion to total health care costs in the United States [3]
The consumption of sugar sweetened beverages likely contributes to the obesity epidemic [8]. Artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame, stevia, and sucralose are thought to provide a method to reduce energy intake without reducing food intake, thereby creating an energy deficit that would result in weight loss and avoiding the homeostatic response that triggers weight regain
Since obesity and insulin resistance are associated with circadian disruption [11], it is feasible that artificial sweeteners may promote weight gain by altering circadian rhythms
Summary
Obesity is an increasingly prevalent metabolic disease [1] that is associated with elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a disease that affects approximately 24 million Americans [2] and adds an estimated $245 billion to total health care costs in the United States [3]. The consumption of sugar sweetened beverages likely contributes to the obesity epidemic [8] Artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame, stevia, and sucralose are thought to provide a method to reduce energy intake without reducing food intake, thereby creating an energy deficit that would result in weight loss and avoiding the homeostatic response that triggers weight regain. One mechanism by which artificial sweeteners may lead to weight gain and impaired insulin action is by altering circadian rhythms This idea is supported by the observation that obesity and insulin resistance are associated with circadian disruption [11]. Since obesity and insulin resistance are associated with circadian disruption [11], it is feasible that artificial sweeteners may promote weight gain by altering circadian rhythms
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