Long-term sorbitol consumption affects the hippocampus and alters cognitive function in aged mice
Haruna Yokoi1,2, Jingshu Wang1, Yoriko Ikuyo1,3
1Department of Oral Disease Research, Geroscience Research Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan.
Abstract:
The systemic effects of the artificial sweetener sorbitol on older adult individuals have not been elucidated. We assessed the effects of sorbitol consumption on cognitive and gingival health in a mouse model. Aged mice were fed 5% sorbitol for 3 months before their behavior was assessed, and brain and gingival tissues were collected. Long-term sorbitol consumption inhibited gingival tissue aging in aged mice. However, it caused cognitive decline and decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus. Sorbitol consumption did not affect homeostatic function; however, it may exert effects within the brain, particularly in the hippocampus.
