Investigation into the short-term effect of ingestion of different concentrations of saccharin sodium on some hematological and biochemical profile of rats

Saccharin is a crystalline, non-caloric artificial sweetener that is normally added in foods and pharmaceutical products. Its use as an artificial sweetener has generated so much controversy with respect to toxicity. This work investigated the short-term effects of this sweetener on some hematological and biochemical profile of rats. The rats weighing between 150-180 g were divided into groups A, B, C, and D of five animals each. Group A received water and served as the control. Groups B, C, and D received per os 10%, 15%, and 20% of saccharin in water. The treatment lasted for 28 days. Blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analyses before dissection of internal organs. The relative weights of liver, spleen, lungs, heart, and kidney were determined. No significant difference was found in the mean levels of the packed cell volume, red blood cell count, differential leukocyte counts, and hemoglobin concentration in comparison with the controls that received equal volume of distilled water. Significant (p < 0. 05) decrease was found in the level of total white blood cell count in the group that received 20% saccharin in comparison with the control. The decrease is still within the normal range found in rats. There was also no significant difference between the activities of the serum enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. The mean relative weights did not change significantly in all the organs studied. The level of creatinine did not also differ significantly. Based on the findings in this work, exposure to saccharin may not pose any serious risk to humans. © 2010 Springer-Verlag London Limited.