Zero-Calorie Sweeteners During Pregnancy Can Impact Offspring’s Microbiome
Dr. Hanover MedicalResearch.com Interview with: John A. Hanover, Ph.D Chief: Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology Section Chief: Cell Biochemistry Section, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology Director: Genomics Core, Cores and Support Services The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: We are interested in the impact of early nutrition on metabolic reprogramming in mammals. In particular, we are interested in how the nutritional information may be transferred from mother to offspring. To this end, we have exposed mice to high sugar and high fat diets. One arm of these studies was to examine the effects of exposure of pregnant mice to artificial sweeteners and the subsequent changes in her offspring. This has not been examined and was important control for the studies outlined above. MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings? Response: Since sweeteners are known to be passed on in small amounts via the placenta and breast milk, we asked whether metabolic and microbiome changes occur in offspring following maternal sweetener intake. We fed mouse moms one of three sweetener solutions throughout pregnancy and lactation, and analyzed the effects on their pre-weaned pups. The solutions contained a mixture of sucralose and acesulfame-K at the 'acceptable daily intake' (ADI), double the ADI, or a control (water). The ADI is the maximum consumption deemed safe in humans based on toxicology studies. While the pups' exposure was low, we found significant metabolic changes in both the ADI and 2xADI groups versus the control group. Specifically, these changes indicated impaired liver functioning in clearing toxins from the blood, and a dramatic shift in bacterial metabolites in the gut. In both sweetener groups, for example, we observed the loss of a major beneficial species of gut bacteria, Akkermansia muciniphila. Similar microbiome alterations in humans have been linked to type 2 diabetes and obesity. MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report? Response: The perinatal period is a critical developmental stage for the microbiome and emerging detoxification systems in the rodent and human neonate alike, and our study defines potentially adverse consequences of early exposure to sweeteners. Therefore, based on our findings, zero-calorie sweeteners warrant further investigation in humans in this critical developmental window. MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work? Response: We are following up these studies to examine the long-term metabolic effects on the offspring of sweetener-exposed mothers. The microbiome changes and metabolic changes may render this population very susceptible to metabolic diseases such as obesity and type-2 diabetes. Such a study is hard to conduct in human populations. MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add? Response: No disclosures. Our laboratory continues to study the means by which organisms adjust to nutritional cues across generations. Citation: Front. Microbiol., 20 June 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.01360 Maternal Exposure to Non-nutritive Sweeteners Impacts Progeny’s Metabolism and Microbiome Stephanie Olivier-Van Stichelen, Kristina I. Rother and John A. Hanover The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website. Read the full article