Evaluation of renal function in saccharin treated rats

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Toxicology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Sodium saccharin is a widely used artificial sweetener.
• Understanding its long-term effects on renal physiology is crucial for public health.
• Previous studies have suggested potential impacts on kidney function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of chronic sodium saccharin exposure on renal function and transport in rats.
• To determine dose-dependent effects and reversibility of saccharin-induced changes.

Main Methods:

• Male and female rats were fed diets containing 0%, 1%, 5%, or 7.5% sodium saccharin for up to 6 months.
• Renal function parameters (urine volume, osmolality, ion excretion) and renal slice transport of p-aminohippurate (PAH) and tetraethylammonium (TEA) were assessed at various time points.
• Reversibility was studied after a 24-hour withdrawal from the saccharin diet.

Main Results:

• Sodium saccharin at 5% and 7.5% significantly reduced renal accumulation of PAH and TEA in rats aged 30 days and older.
• Dietary sodium saccharin (≥1%) consistently enhanced sodium excretion across all age groups.
• Increased urine volume, decreased urine osmolality, and elevated potassium excretion were observed at 60 days of age.
• All observed effects were rapidly and fully reversible within 24 hours of removing saccharin from the diet.

Conclusions:

• Chronic high-dose sodium saccharin exposure adversely affects renal transport and function in rats.
• The observed renal effects, including impaired PAH and TEA transport, are reversible.
• Competitive inhibition may explain the effects on PAH transport, while mechanisms for other changes require further investigation.