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Methods

This was a double-blind randomized cross over study conducted in a clinical research unit in United Kingdom. Forty-eight individual who has self reported sensitivity to aspartame were compared to 48 age and gender matched aspartame non-sensitive individuals. They were given aspartame (100mg)-containing or control snack bars randomly at least 7 days apart. The main outcome measures were acute effects of aspartame measured using repeated ratings of 14 symptoms, biochemistry and metabonomics.

Results

Aspartame sensitive and non-sensitive participants differed psychologically at baseline in handling feelings and perceived stress. Sensitive participants had higher triglycerides (2.05 ± 1.44 vs. 1.26 ± 0.84mmol/L; p value 0.008) and lower HDL-C (1.16 ± 0.34 vs. 1.35 ± 0.54 mmol/L; p value 0.04), reflected in 1H NMR serum analysis that showed differences in the baseline lipid content between the two groups. Urine metabonomic studies showed no significant differences. None of the rated symptoms differed between aspartame and control bars, or between sensitive and control participants. However, aspartame sensitive participants rated more symptoms particularly in the first test session, whether this was placebo or control. Aspartame and control bars affected GLP-1, GIP, tyrosine and phenylalanine levels equally in both aspartame sensitive and non-sensitive subjects.

Study Design

Aspartame (100mg, equivalent to that consumed in a can of diet soda and less than the Acceptable Daily Intake maximum (ADI) recommended by FDA of 40mg/kg body weight/day) was incorporated into cold pressed cereal bars (Campden BRI, United Kingdom). In a prior taste trial, 40 healthy controls could not distinguish between aspartame or control bars. Randomisation was performed by Campden BRI. The study was unblinded only after all of the analyses had been undertaken.

Study Procedures

Following an 8 hour overnight fast participants were given the aspartame or control bar, and crossed over at least 1 week apart. Bars were consumed within 5 minutes. Standard questionnaires were used to assess psychological condition at baseline, and 14 symptoms were rated repeatedly over 4 hours after consuming bars (see section “”). Blood samples were taken at baseline and at 4 hours: urine specimens were provided at baseline, at 4, 12 and 24 hours.

Abstract

We demonstrated a facile and environmental-friendly approach to form gold nanoparticles through the reduction of HAuCl4 by aspartame. The single-crystalline structure was illustrated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results indicated that aspartame played a pivotal role in the reduction and stabilization of the gold crystals. The crystals were stabilized through the successive hydrogen-bonding network constructed between the water and aspartame molecules. Additionally, gold nanoparticles synthesized through aspartame were shown to have good catalytic activity for the reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4.

Synthesis of APM-AuNPs

To obtain APM-AuNPs, 0.4 ml of APM aqueous solution (5 mg/ml) and 200 μl of NaOH (100 mM) were added to 9.3 ml of deionized water and incubated in a water bath (Julabo, Seelbach/Black Forest, Germany) (60°C, 200 rpm) for 10 min. Then, 100 μl of HAuCl4 (100 mM) was added followed by vigorous stirring for 30 s. Finally, the mixture was incubated for an additional 50 min (60°C, 200 rpm). The effects of several parameters, such as APM concentration (3.4 × 10−6 M to 1.7 × 10−4 M), HAuCl4 concentration (1.0 × 10−4 M to 9.0 × 10−4 M), pH (2.0 to 12.0), and temperature (25°C/37°C/60°C/90°C) were systematically investigated.