Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Modulated Creatinine and Urea Levels in White Albino Rats

Artificial sweeteners, also known as nonnutritive sweeteners have many benefits like low calories count. It is frequently used for reducing weight, controlling blood sugar levels and decreasing the chances of dental decay. This study evaluated the effects of NNS in the kidney function. Using the blood sample of the albino rats, the level of creatinine and urea was calculated after the use of NNS for 3 weeks. 70 rats were equally divided into 7 groups. The groups were given Stevia 200mg/kg/day, 10% solution of sucrose, Sucralose 3g/kg/day, Saccharine, Aspartame 250mg/kg/day and Acesulfame-k 250mg/kg/day respectively. In the controlled group, distilled water was used as a placebo. The results indicated that saccharin and aspartame both caused the urea to increase to 37±0.5 mg/dl from initial 30±1.5mg/dl and acesulfame-k represented the most increase in the urea, which elevated the levels from 30 mg/dl to 38±1.5 mg/dl. Additionally, saccharine and aspartame increased the creatinine levels from from 0.1 to 0.85±0.05 mg/ dl and sucralose elevated the level of creatinine from 0.1 mg/dl to 1.3±0.2 mg/dl. In the stevia group, the results remained the same as in the controlled group. This indicates the nephrotoxic effects of NNS and proves Stevia safe for the daily use as an alternative.