Abstract
BackgroundNon-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) have been associated with increased prevalence of obesity. In previous studies, we demonstrated that saccharin could induce an increase in weight gain either when compared to sucrose or to a non-sweetened control at a similar total caloric intake. These data raised the hypothesis that reduced energy expenditure (EE) could be a potential mechanism explaining greater weight gain with saccharin use in rats. The aim of the present study was to compare long-term energy expenditure at rest between rats using saccharin or sucrose and correlate it with weight gain. MethodsIn the present study, we examine the potential impact of saccharin compared to sucrose in the EE of Wistar rats. In a controlled experiment of 17 weeks, 24 Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: saccharin-sweetened yogurt (SAC) or sucrose-sweetened yogurt (SUC), plus a free chow diet. Only rats that consumed at least 70% of the offered yogurt were included. EE (kcal/day) was determined at rest through open circuit indirect calorimetry system in the early post-absorptive period with determinations of both VO2 consumption and CO2 production. Measurements were evaluated at baseline, 5 and 12 weeks of dietary intervention. Weight gain, caloric intake (from yogurt, from chow and total) were determined weekly.ResultsBody weight and EE were similar between groups at baseline: (p = .35) and (p = .67) respectively. At the end of the study, SAC increased total weight gain significantly more in relation to SUC (p = .03). Cumulative total caloric intake (yogurt plus chow) was similar between groups during the whole period (p = .54). At 12 weeks, the EE was smaller in SAC compared to SUC (p = .009). Considering both groups, there was a strong negative correlation between total weight gain and change in EE observed [r(20) = −.61, p = .003]. However, when analyzing the groups separately we found that SUC maintained this inverse correlation [r(8) = −.68, p = .03], while SAC did not [r(10) = −.33, p = .29].ConclusionThese data support the hypothesis that long-term use of saccharin may blunt post-absorptive EE at rest in Wistar rats, which is related to weight gain. On the other hand, long-term sucrose intake can increase energy expenditure in rats. This effect combined can explain, at least partially, the weight gain increases associated to saccharin in relation to sucrose in these animals.
Highlights
Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) have been associated with increased prevalence of obesity
After 17 weeks, Saccharin group (SAC) showed greater weight gain compared to Sucrose group (SUC), respectively: 146.25 ± 10.30 vs 105.70 ± 14.62; t(20) = −2.32, p =
This corresponded to an increase from baseline of 71% and 48% in SAC and SUC, respectively
Summary
Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) have been associated with increased prevalence of obesity. We demonstrated that saccharin could induce an increase in weight gain either when compared to sucrose or to a non-sweetened control at a similar total caloric intake These data raised the hypothesis that reduced energy expenditure (EE) could be a potential mechanism explaining greater weight gain with saccharin use in rats. We demonstrated that, in Wistar rats, saccharin can induce greater weight gain both in relation to sucrose [10] and to non-sweetened supplements [11], in spite of a similar total caloric intake These experiments informed that, when rats receive saccharin-sweetened yogurt along with free chow intake, a compensatory increase in chow intake occurs. Significant increases in weight gain in the saccharin group could not be explained by increases in total caloric intake
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