Review paper

Effects of aspartame metabolites on astrocytes and neurons

Karol Rycerz, Jadwiga Elbieta Jaworska-Adamu

Department of Animal Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland

Folia Neuropathol 2013; 51 (1): 10-17

DOI: 10.5114/fn.2013.34191

Abstract
Aspartame, a widespread sweetener used in many food products, is considered as a highly hazardous compound. Aspartame was discovered in 1965 and raises a lot of controversy up to date.
Astrocytes are glial cells, the presence and functions of which are closely connected with the central nervous system
(CNS). The aim of this article is to demonstrate the direct and indirect role of astrocytes participating in the harmful
effects of aspartame metabolites on neurons.
The artificial sweetener is broken down into phenylalanine (50%), aspartic acid (40%) and methanol (10%) during metabolism in the body. The excess of phenylalanine blocks the transport of important amino acids to the brain contributing
to reduced levels of dopamine and serotonin. Astrocytes directly affect the transport of this amino acid and also indirectly by modulation of carriers in the endothelium. Aspartic acid at high concentrations is a toxin that causes hyperexcitability of neurons and is also a precursor of other excitatory amino acid - glutamates. Their excess in quantity
and lack of astrocytic uptake induces excitotoxicity and leads to the degeneration of astrocytes and neurons.
The methanol metabolites cause CNS depression, vision disorders and other symptoms leading ultimately to metabolic acidosis and coma. Astrocytes do not play a significant role in methanol poisoning due to a permanent consumption
of large amounts of aspartame.
Despite intense speculations about the carcinogenicity of aspartame, the latest studies show that its metabolite diketopiperazine is cancirogenic in the CNS. It contributes to the formation of tumors in the CNS such as gliomas, medulloblastomas and meningiomas. Glial cells are the main source of tumors, which can be caused inter alia by the sweetener in the brain.
On the one hand the action of astrocytes during aspartame poisoning may be advantageous for neuro-protection while
on the other it may intensify the destruction of neurons. The role of the glia in the pathogenesis of many CNS diseases is crucial.
Key words: aspartame, aspartate, diketopiperazine, phenyloalanine, receptors, transporters, neurodegeneration.

Introduction
Aspartame (APM) is an artificial sweetener widespread in the world which is used in many food products like chewing gum, desserts, yoghurts, vitamins,

medicines and particularly in diet beverages. It was

found that aspartame is present in 68% of comestible
assortment among sugar-free products in Poland [28].
It is applied by diabetics as tablets instead of sugar
(NutraSweet, Equal, Sugar Free, Canderel). The sweet-

Communicating author:
lek. wet. Karol Rycerz, Department of Animal Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences,
ul. Akademicka 12, 20-950 Lublin, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]

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Folia Neuropathologica 2013; 51/1

Effects of aspartame metabolites on astrocytes and neurons

ener was accidentally discovered by James Schlatter

during his attempts to obtain a gastric ulcer drug in
1965 [9]. This white, crystalline and odourless powder
is 180-200 times sweeter than sucrose. The intense sensation of sweetness allows the use of such small doses so that the product is almost non-caloric although
its energy value is 4 kcal/g of aspartame. The sweetener is a chemical agent, N-L-alpha-Aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (C14H18N2O5) [26]. This substance
is hydrolysed completely to the three main breakdown
products: phenylalanine (50%), aspartic acid (40%) and
methanol (10%) in the intestinal lumen. The use of aspartame as a sweetening agent has been controversial
for years due to the harmful effects of high concentrations of the metabolites. Hence the European Food
Safety Authority established an acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg b.w./day [8,17].
Most articles about harmful effects of the artificial
sweetener are focused primarily on its negative influence on the nerve cells [2,3,5,7,19]. And only in a few
studies the effect of aspartame on glial tissue, which
inextricably accompanies neurons, has been described
[15,29]. Therefore, the aim of this article is to show the
direct and indirect role of astrocytes which participate in the harmful effects of aspartame metabolites.
Among many functions of astrocytes one is to nourish the nerve cells and compose a stroma in the form
of neuropil for them. They set up the blood-brain barrier and also regulate the homeostasis of ions (Ca2+, K+),
maintain water balance (AQP4 aquaporin 4), provide
substrates for the synthesis of neurotransmitters (particularly glutamate Glu, -amino butyric acid GABA,
and serotonin 5-HT) and are involved in their uptake
and metabolism [20]. Aspartame interference in these
functions may directly or indirectly evoke the development of many adverse symptoms such as headaches,
dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms,
rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, vision
problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, tinnitus, memory loss, learning
disabilities and joint pain [1]. Astrocytes can presumably take part in positive and negative effects of aspartame metabolites in view of their functions and participation in metabolism of neurons.

Astrocytes influence on the transportation

of phenylalanine
One of the major metabolite of aspartame is phenylalanine (Phe), the sweeteners breakdown product.

Folia Neuropathologica 2013; 51/1

This naturally essential amino acid after applied with

nutrients to an organism joins the general pool of amino acids present in the blood. It is partly transformed
into tyrosine by phenylalanine hydroxylase and then
to L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), dopamine
(DA), noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) in the
liver. Phenylalanine may be used in protein synthesis
and also to convert into phenylpyruvic acid present in
high concentration in patients with phenylketonuria
(PKU) [21].
The remaining pool of phenylalanine crosses to
the brain by neutral amino acid transporters (NAAT)
mainly situated in capillary vessels, a part of bloodbrain barrier (BBB). These transporters are used to
transport various amino acids: glutamine, histidine,
methionine, serine, threonine, tyrosine and tryptophan, which are important for neurotransmitters synthesis. Astrocytes are involved in the modulation of
the blood-brain barrier and thus influence the transport of amino acids by the endothelium. Under the
influence of astrocytic factors in the endothelial cell
cultures derived from rats brain using an RT-PCR
method, the expression of one of the subunits building amino acid transporters (4F2hc heavy chain) was
shown. These glial cells can modulate transport of
inter alia phenylalanine through the wall of the capillaries. Na+-independent (L1 system transport of
large essential neutral amino acids) and Na+-dependent endothelial transporters hold a subunit in the
form of 4F2hc heavy chain. This suggests that astrocytes are involved in the uptake of neutral amino acids
(NAAs) through functional changes of many NAAT
transporters.
Astrocytic end feet reaching the basilemma of the
endothelium contain many membrane transporters
which participate in the entry of phenylalanine into
the CNS. It was shown that the Na+-dependent large
neutral amino acid transporters (Na+-LNAA system) are
present in the astrocytes and therefore they may be
involved in the penetration of Phe across the bloodbrain barrier. Presumably, astrocytes are directly involved
in the transport of phenylalanine and in the increase
of its concentration in the brain after consumption of
aspartame [4,14,23]. All amino acids which can pass
through the BBB compete for the transporter. The affinity of the carriers is proportional to the concentration
of amino acids in the blood. Higher concentrations of
the amino acid in the blood enhance the ability to bind
a transporter. Consuming aspartame increases the pool

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Karol Rycerz, Jadwiga Elbieta Jaworska-Adamu

Aspartame

Trp, Tyr

Phe (50%)

endothelium

NAAT
c
2h
4F

P h e

55-HT
DA
D

astrocytic
factors

Clinical
symptoms

Astrocyte
Presynaptic
neuron
GABA

GABA transporter

Depolarisation
inhibition
Postsynaptic
neuron

Fig. 1. Aspartame is broken down into phenylalanine (Phe). An excess of Phe in the bloodstream
blocks the NAAT transporters preventing important amino acids (Trp, Tyr) from crossing the
blood-brain barrier (BBB). Astrocytes possess
NAAT transporters and have the ability to modulate carriers with 4F2hc heavy chain subunit in
the endothelium. Phe contributes indirectly to
lower levels of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine
(DA), which causes clinical symptoms. This leads
also to reduced activity of -amino butyric acid
(GABA) transporters, which impairs its uptake
by astrocytes. GABA inhibits the postsynaptic
membrane depolarisation.

of phenylalanine in plasma. It results in binding phenylalanine to the transporters crossing BBB and thus
the saturation of NAAT causes that important amino

12

acids necessary for proteins and neurotransmitters synthesis cannot pass to the brain. One of the essential
amino acids delivered to the CNS by the BBB is tyrosine (Tyr) required for the synthesis of dopamine (DA)
and nonessential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) involved in the formation of serotonin (5-HT). As a result of lack of neutral amino acid transporters after
binding phenylalanine to them, there is a deficiency
of other amino acids resulting in decreased production of these two neurotransmitters (Fig. 1). Low dopamine levels in neurons of the substantia nigra in the
midbrain forming neural pathways reaching the striatum (globus pallidus, putamen and nucleus caudatus)
and brain cortex, lead to a reduction in mobility, balance and walking. These alterations are the first symptoms of Parkinsons disease [3,15,30]. In adult mice it
was shown that the low concentrations of dopamine
in the dopaminergic system also cause disorders in
exploratory behaviour, adipsia and aphagia [32].
Lower levels of serotonin in the hippocampus, raphe
nucleus of the brain stem and substantia nigra in the
midbrain affect sleep, memory, sensory perception, control of mood, temperature regulation disorders, depression and anxiety in adults. The reduction of serotonin
levels in the development of CNS can affect cell proliferation, differentiation and migration of neurons and
synaptogenesis. Serotonin deficiency in the prenatal
period leads to developmental disorders of the respiratory system [6,11,15]. Astrocytes may be involved in
the above alterations caused by phenylalanine derived
from aspartame because they capture, break up, metabolize and exocytose serotonin [10].
Decreased levels of serotonin caused indirectly by
phenylalanine lead to GABA transporters activity reduction in astrocytes which in consequence causes an
excess quantity of GABA neurotransmitter resulting
in continuous depolarisation inhibition of postsynaptic
membranes in neurons [15].
In summary, phenylalanine can directly influence
the reduction of other important amino acids penetration into the CNS by its competition for NAAT transporters. Consequently, it affects indirectly the deficiency
of certain neurotransmitters leading to functional disorders. Astrocytic end feet may be involved in the harmful effects of aspartame on the CNS through modulation of transport properties in the BBB endothelium.
Membrane transporters may lead to penetration of this
amino acid into the astrocytes and influence their functions.

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Effects of aspartame metabolites on astrocytes and neurons

Excitotoxicity of aspartate and glutamate in the uptake of calcium ions. Consequently, it leads
to mitochondrial damage in the cell and energetic disin the CNS
Aspartate, as a nonessential amino acid in brain,
acts as a neurotransmitter responsible for transmission of impulses between neurons. Aspartic acid makes
up 40% of the aspartames breakdown products and
constant consumption of products containing the
sweetener increases its concentration in blood and
brain [7]. Aspartate is the precursor for such amino acids
as asparagine, glutamate and glutamine. The excess
of them, particularly glutamate, leads to hyperexcitability of neurons and is one of the factors that induce
death of neurons and astrocytes. Glutamate (Glu)
a neurotransmitter is present in glutamatergic synapses of all neurons in the mammalian brain. Astrocytes
play a significant role in maintaining proper homeostasis
of these amino acids. Glutamate and aspartate released from neurons in excess are collected by the astrocytic excitatory amino acid transporters: EAAT-1 (GLAST),
EAAT-2 (GLT-1) and EAAT-3. Supersaturation of the carriers with the amino acids leads to the inability to
absorb them by astrocytes. In the glial cells, glutamate
is metabolized to glutamine (Gln), which can then be
used by neurons for resynthesis of glutamate [15,20,24].
Both the uptake and release of these neurotransmitters are dependent on calcium ions. Under the influence of excess excitatory amino acids in astrocytes metabotropic glutamate receptors mGluRs group I (mGluR1
and mGluR5) may become activated and lead to the
ion concentration disorders inside the cell, particularly
Ca2+, Na+ and K+. The increase in intracellular calcium
levels leads to the release of substantial quantities of
glutamate. Alpha glutamate released from astrocytes
activates NR2B subunit of presynaptic and postsynaptic
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA) and presynaptic mGluRs receptors, leading to hyperexcitability
of neurons. As a result, the increased firing causes the
death of neurons by excessive action of Glu on NMDA
receptors [13].
This phenomenon is called excitotoxicity and the
amino acids, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, present
in excess are called excitotoxins. The action of these
neurotransmitters causes subsequent reactions. Proper enzymatic processes in the neurons are then affected. Aspartic acid as a metabolite of consumed aspartame has the ability to bind neuronal NMDA receptors.
As a result of continuous stimulation of nerve cells, intracellular ATP stores become depleted and physiological responses are then affected. This leads to alterations

Folia Neuropathologica 2013; 51/1

orders. Then the cell membrane is damaged and the

reactive oxygen species (ROS) are released causing
oxidative stress and further degeneration of nerve cells
and glia (Fig. 2). The capillary permeability is increased
and the destruction of the CNS cells is continued [3].
Studies have shown that after 2 weeks of a permanent consumption, aspartame in the acceptable
concentration of 40 mg/kg significantly increases the
levels of nitric oxide (NO) in the brain [19]. Excessive
stimulation of glutamate receptors causes the production and accumulation of reactive nitrogen, which
leads to the formation of free radicals including nitric
peroxide. Both reactive species of nitrogen and oxygen formed by the action of excitatory amino acids
contribute to many cell-killing reactions in CNS. They
damage proteins, DNA and particularly mitochondrial
DNA in the cells [2,19].
On the one hand, astrocytes have a protective effect during glutamate-induced neuronal death. On the
other hand, the accumulation of Glu in excess in the
intercellular space results in the activation of astrocytes
and intensification of this amino acid neurotoxicity.
The activated glia produce neurotoxic substances such
as cytokines and nitric oxide. Upon the death of neurons caused by excitotoxicity of glutamate and aspartate, the activation of microglia occurs resulting in the
production of toxic substances (NO, O2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines inter alia IL-1, IL-6, TNF-, PGE2 [13,31].
In summary, a metabolite of aspartame aspartate
affects the excess of glutamate in the CNS and both
of these amino acids are excitotoxins for neurons and
astrocytes. As described above, alterations in neurons
and astrocytes are similar to those occurring in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers disease,
epilepsy, Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis
[15,31].

Methanols slight influence on brain

structures
Another product produced by the metabolism of
aspartame is methanol which constitutes 10% of the
breakdown products of the sweetener. After consumption of aspartame methanol is converted to formaldehyde and then to formic acid. Initially, methyl alcohol,
which is weaker than ethanol, affects the depression
of the central nervous system. This is the latency period after which blurred vision and even blindness occur

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Karol Rycerz, Jadwiga Elbieta Jaworska-Adamu

As p
Astrocyte

Glu
G
Gln

Ca2+
C
EAAT

mGluRs
mGluRs
NMDA
(NR2B)

NMDA
(NR2B)

Glu
G
(Asp)
NMDA
Synapse

Glu
Presynaptic
neuron

Ca2+
C

ROS

Postsynaptic
neuron

Excitatory
effect

Neuron and Glia

degeneration
T NF
PGE2
IL-1
IL-6

Microglia

Astrocyte

Fig. 2. Aspartate (Asp) transported by EAAT carriers in excess causes excitotoxicity by acting on NMDA receptors. It also contributes to the formation of excess glutamate (Glu). In astrocytes, Glu after conversion
to glutamine (Gln), is resynthesized in neurons. Glu released from astrocytes influences the NMDA receptors containing NR2B subunit in the pre- and postsynaptic membrane and glutamate receptors mGluRs in
the presynaptic membrane. As a result, Glu is released to the synaptic space in large quantities and the
ability of astrocytes to uptake the neurotransmitter by EAAT carriers is reduced. mGluRs receptors are stimulated in the membrane of astrocytes. This increases the release of Ca2+ in glial cells which further affects the exocytosis of Glu from astrocytes into the synaptic space. Glu acting on NMDA receptors present
in the postsynaptic membrane, leads to excitotoxicity, free radicals formation (ROS) and neurons and glia
degeneration. Degenerative changes activate also microglia, which releases the factors such as TNF, PGE2,
IL-1, IL-6, which increase the concentration of Ca2+ in astrocytes and intensify Glu exocytosis.

under the influence of the transformation of methanol

to formaldehyde in the retina. As a result of the accumulation of formate, metabolic acidosis occurs and this
may eventually cause CNS depression, coma and death
from respiratory system paralysis. Methanol poisoning can occur after consumption of chilled beverages
containing aspartame after physical exertion or after
losing a large amount of fluid under the influence of
high air temperature [5,7,18].

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Butchko et al. in his review paper concluded The

safety of methanol and methanol derived from aspartame has been extensively evaluated. Based on metabolism studies, it is not possible for a human to ever
consume enough aspartame in products to raise blood
formate concentrations. Because formate is the toxic
metabolite of methanol, the lack of formate accumulation after very large doses of aspartame indicates that
the conversion of aspartame to methanol is not suf-

Folia Neuropathologica 2013; 51/1

Effects of aspartame metabolites on astrocytes and neurons

ficient to induce any toxicity from methanol or its

metabolites [5].

Diketopiperazine aspartame metabolite

formed as a result of prolonged storage
of food products
It has been suggested recently that the derivative
of aspartame: diketopiperazine (DKP) is a major carcinogenic factor [29]. It arises as a result of prolonged
storage of products containing the sweetener in high
temperature and pH above 6. Studies on aspartamesweetened beverages in the Polish market showed the
highest concentrations of phenylalanine and diketopiperazine in energy drinks and cola [27]. The European Food Safety Authority established the DKP acceptable daily intake of 7.5 mg/kg b.w./day [8].
One major cause of perennial speculation about
the safety of aspartame was its carcinogenic effect on
the brain. The debate on carcinogenicity of the sweetener started in the 1980s after approval of aspartame
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an acceptable food product. On the strength of studies conducted
by the FDA, Onley et al. concluded that aspartame may
be a carcinogen [5]. Researches on Sprague-Dawleys
rats revealed the presence of minor amounts of brain
tumours originating mainly from the glial tissue, including the astrocytes. They were gliomas: astrocytomas,
oligodendrogliomas and also medulloblastomas and
meningiomas. The FDA commissioner denied this speculation and officially stated that aspartame is not carcinogenic. In 1996, Onley et al. presented further arguments in favour of the fact that the artificial sweetener
can cause cancer [22]. Their assertion was based on the
data from the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology and End
Results (SEER) Program, supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). They noticed that the incidence of
brain tumours has increased with the appearance of
aspartame on the market. Moreover, based on the findings of Shepard et al., they assumed that the cause
of the brain tumours is the nitrosated aspartame [22].
Both the FDA and NCI, as well as other entities such
as the United Kingdom Department of Health, the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Union and
the Australia/New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) have
not confirmed Onleys fears and accepted aspartame
as a sweetener suitable for consumption [5,22]. Probably aspartame has no cancerogenic effect on the structure of the brain in children [12].

Folia Neuropathologica 2013; 51/1

Some sources suggest that the possible pathogenesis of the brain tumours arising as a result of the artificial sweetener is the direct and indirect activation of
oncogenes that increase the risk of uncontrolled cell
division [25]. Another reason may be a lack of glucose
in the CNS caused by the consumption of dietetic foods.
The brain is sensitive to glucose deficiency [25].
In 2006, Soffritti et al.s results appeared indicating
a significant carcinogenic effect of aspartame. They indicate that aspartame is a carcinogenic agent, even at
a much lower dose (20 mg/kg) than the acceptable daily intake (40 mg/kg) [29]. The main source of brain tumours caused by the artificial sweetener are astrocytes,
hence the highest percentage of tumours are gliomas.
Moreover, medulloblastomas and meningiomas were
observed. Diketopiperazine derived from aspartame may
cause cancer in various tissues and mammals organs.
The highest proportion of cancers were lymphomas
occurring mainly in the lungs and lymph nodes and
peripheral leukemias. Moreover, the histiocytic sarcomas
of the lungs, liver, spleen and nodes were shown. A large
number of malignancies derived from the renal pelvis
and ureter. In the peripheral nervous system, schwannomas mainly from cranial nerves were present. Neoplastic lesions were also related to the olfactory epithelium [29]. Studies in humans show a higher incidence
of glioma in people who consume aspartame [25]. However, some authors do not provide assurance that the
cancer can be caused by other factors [16].

Conclusions
This article analyses the direct and indirect role of
astrocytes participating in the toxic effects of metabolites of aspartame. These glial cells modulate BBB by
functional changes in endothelial neutral amino acid
transporters. As a result of consuming aspartame,
phenylalanine shows a significant affinity for the NAAT
transporters in the BBB blocking access for the essential amino acids necessary to the synthesis of dopamine and serotonin in the CNS. Astrocytes may play
an indirect role in this process.
Aspartate present in excess as a metabolite of
aspartame is neurotoxic and it is a substrate for glutamate. This amino acid acting on neuronal mGluR
receptors and NMDA receptors leads to hyperexcitability of cells, free radicals release, oxidative stress and
neuronal degeneration. Initially astrocytes are the protectors of neurons and later, with an excess of gluta-

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Karol Rycerz, Jadwiga Elbieta Jaworska-Adamu

mate in the extracellular space, they are activated and

release toxic substances intensifying neurodegeneration.
The methanol, contained in aspartame, is insufficient to bring about alterations in the CNS.
Astrocytes are the source of cancers such as astrocytoma caused by the carcinogenic effect of diketopiperazine.
Further research of aspartames impact on the morphology and function of astrocytes and neurons is necessary to be carried out.
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