Effect of Non-nutritive Sweeteners on Vascular Function in Humans
Effect of Non-nutritive Sweeteners on Vascular Function in Humans
In recent decades, low-to-null caloric, non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) have been increasingly used, replacing and offering an alternative to food and beverages sweetened by high-energy, added sugars. Indeed, by providing consumers with products that have a sweet taste with low energy content, NNS appear to be the magic bullet to enhance weight loss and reduce cardio-metabolic diseases. However, a recent meta-analysis of randomized trials does not show any benefit of NNS consumption on body weight loss. Moreover, epidemiological, descriptive and experimental studies have recently reported that NNS consumption is paradoxically associated with weight gain, glucose intolerance and increased risk of type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular events. Among the approved NNS, sucralose and AceK, both high intensity (respectively ~500-600 and 200 times sweeter than sugar) are the most widely used in foods and drinks, accounting more than 62 % of the global artificial sweetener market. Recent experimental data show an effect of sucralose and AceK (and other NNS) consumption on vascular reactivity in response to a physiological stress (hyperglycemic load) in rats. Since sweet taste receptors (T1R) have been recently found in the endothelium, investigators hypothesize that NNS, and especially sucralose and AceK, a potent T1R agonist, impairs micro- and macrovascular reactivity in humans, which, to the best of our knowledge, has never been explored.
In recent decades, low-to-null caloric, non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) have been increasingly used, replacing and offering an alternative to food and beverages sweetened by high-energy, added sugars. Indeed, by providing consumers with products that have a sweet taste with low energy content, NNS appear to be the magic bullet to enhance weight loss and reduce cardio-metabolic diseases. However, a recent meta-analysis of randomized trials does not show any benefit of NNS consumption on body weight loss. Moreover, epidemiological, descriptive and experimental studies have recently reported that NNS consumption is paradoxically associated with weight gain, glucose intolerance and increased risk of type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular events. Among the approved NNS, sucralose and AceK, both high intensity (respectively ~500-600 and 200 times sweeter than sugar) are the most widely used in foods and drinks, accounting more than 62 % of the global artificial sweetener market. Recent experimental data show an effect of sucralose and AceK (and other NNS) consumption on vascular reactivity in response to a physiological stress (hyperglycemic load) in rats. Since sweet taste receptors T1R have been recently found in the endothelium, investigators hypothesize that NNS, and especially sucralose and AceK, a potent T1R agonist, impairs micro- and macrovascular reactivity in humans, which, to the best of our knowledge, has never been explored.
This is a prospective, single-center, controlled, randomized, double-blind, three-period crossover study
The principal objective is to evaluate the effect of a NNS daily consumption (sucralose or AceK) during 4 weeks on macrovascular endothelial function, in lean and obese subjects compared to placebo.
The principal outcome / endpoint will be based on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, expressed as a percent change from baseline diameter, and corrected for shear rate, according to current recommendations, after 4 week of NNS (sucralose or AceK) daily consumption compared to placebo
CONDUCT OF THE RESEARCH : Patients will be screened and, if eligible, proposed a 3-period crossover trial (sucralose, AceK, placebo). The order will be randomized. These 3 periods will be separated with wash out periods between one and two weeks. The 3 periods of 4 weeks will be with one visit at the beginning and at the end of each period, i.e. a total of 6 visits. During each beginning and end of period visit, microvascular and macrovascular reactivity tests will be conducted. At the first visit only, microdialysis will be performed.
Number of subjects : 40 Length of the inclusion period: 24 months Length of treatment: 3 one-month periods, and maximum 4 weeks of wash-outs Length of participation for each subject: 4 months Total length of the study (with statistical analysis): 36 months
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ; The analysis of the primary outcome will be carried on using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), adjusted on baseline FMD, with a risk alpha of 0.05 and a power of 80%, two-sided. Investogators estimated within-subject correlation to be close to 0.7, as shown in previous results by our group.5 In order to maximise power, for secondary objectives, the effects of sucralose, AceK, sex, and obesity, will be assessed using mixed-effects models, with the subject as a random factor.
EXPECTED IMPACT : This is a hot topic since recent studies in animals and humans do not support the claims previously submitted to regulatory agencies that NNS, including sucralose and AceK, are stable compounds that are not metabolized in vivo; and have no effect on metabolism. Questioning the physiological inactivity of these extensively used molecules is mandatory since there is a rise in the consumption of NNS-containing products. Moreover, very recent studies are observing an increase in the consumption of diet products, especially in vulnerable groups (obese, diabetic patients, children or pregnant women). New data on the effect of chronic NNS consumption will help revisit the regulatory status of NNS and bring extensive knowledge on the role of T1R receptors on vascular function, which has been hardly ever studied so far. Finally and importantly, vascular function is largely recognized as a strong precursor of cardiovascular disease.
Inclusion Criteria:
Male or female aged≥ 18 years
Signed informed consent
Body mass index:
Person who is affiliated to a social security scheme or who is a beneficiary of such a scheme
Exclusion Criteria:
MRoustit@chu-grenoble.fr04 76 76 92 60
aguigui@chu-grenoble.fr04 76 76 92 60