Aziz F. Al-Sayed, Ghali R. Abdel Malek And Salem. Z. Amin,

ABSTRACT
Aim Of The Study: Artificial Sweeteners Such As�aspartame (APM) Are Widely Consumed Nowadays, Yet Their Long-term Health Impact Is Uncertain. The Present Work Aimed To Investigate The Effect Of Long Term Administration Of High Dose Of APM (80mg/kg.b.w) On The Structural Features Of Von Ebner�s Salivary Glands, Circumvallate Papillae And Taste Buds.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-two Male Adult Albino Laboratory Rats With Weight Range From 200 To 250 G Were Utilized In The Present Study. The Animals Were Divided Into 2 Groups; Group I: Consisted Of Eleven Rats And They Were Considered As Control Group. Group II: Consisted Of Eleven Rats And They Were Given APM (80 Mg/kg.b.w) Dissolved In Distilled Water Orally And Daily By Means Of Gastric Tube. The Rats Were Sacrificed At The End Of The Sixth Months Under Chloral Hydrate Anesthesia. The Tongue Was Subsequently Dissected And Prepared For Histological Examination Using H&E Stain, Immunohistochemical Staining Using PCNA Antibody And Finally Histomorphometric And Statistical Analysis Were Performed.

Results: The Histopathological Results After Long Term Administration Of APM Showed Partially Obliterated Trough Of Circumvallate Papilla With Hyperkeratinization. Abnormal Morphology Of The Excretory Duct Was Observed, The Ductal Lining Showed Squamous Hyperplasia With Collapsed Lumen. Severe Degeneration In The Von Ebner�s Salivary Glands With Loss Of The Normal Architecture Of The Serours Acini Were Observed With Appearance Of Signs Of Premalignancy. Immunohistochemical Results Showed Very High Rate Of Proliferative Activity After Long Term Administration Of APM In Comparison To Control Group. Conclusion: Aspartame Is Considered As A Very Harmful Premalignant Drug On Long Term Administration. So, The Public Should Be Alerted About The Adverse Effects Of Aspartame.