Background: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Aspartame (l-aspartyl-l-phenylalanine methyl ester), a low calorie sweetener used in foods and beverages.
Objectives: This study investigated the effect of chronic aspartame intake on Parkinsonism induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP).
Method: Forty-eight mice (24 males and 24 females): control, aspartame, MPTP, and aspartame + MPTP groups tested by Y-maze, stepping, forced swimming and olfactory preference tests. Brain tissues examined for dopamine content, tyrosine hydroxylase, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), glutathione peroxidase, phosphorylated tau and α-synuclein protein. Histopathological evaluation of brain sections at the level of basal ganglia was done.
Results: Decreased dopamine content, tyrosine hydroxylase expression, glutathione peroxidase expression and increased iNOS, tau and α-synuclein expression in groups received aspartame, MPTP or both agents simultaneously in both males and females group.
Conclusions: Increased dopaminergic degeneration and complications with chronic aspartame consumption and more injury in male groups.
Keywords: MPTP; Parkinsonism; aspartame; behaviour; memory.