The Abnormal Skin Structure of Newborn Wistar Rats Maternally Treated with Aspartame: Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

The study investigated the effects of aspartame, an artificial sweetener, on the skin structure of newborn Wistar rats whose mothers were treated with aspartame during pregnancy. Twelve pregnant female rats were divided into two groups: a control group given saline solution and an experimental group given 40mg of aspartame/kg body weight from the 4th day of pregnancy until birth. The results showed that the skin of aspartame-treated neonatal rats had significantly thinner epidermis and dermis, shallower hair follicles, hypertrophied cells, and signs of cell damage compared to the control group. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased expression of apoptosis and angiogenesis markers (Caspase-3, P53, VEGF) and decreased expression of Caspase-7 and CK17 in the aspartame group. Flow cytometric analysis showed a significant increase in apoptotic cells. The study concluded that maternal consumption of aspartame during gestation caused notable histological damage and increased apoptosis risk in the skin of their offspring.