(PO72) Zero Calorie Sweeteners Alter Gingival Fibroblast Transcript Expression

Abstract: Zero calorie sweeteners (ZCS) have long been used as sugar substitutes in food products. Despite their ubiquity in our lives, little is known about the effects various ZCS have on the cells of the oral cavity. This study aims to discover if any of the commonly used ZCSs alter oral cell gene expression that may have a detrimental effect on healing and maintenance of the oral cavity. ZCS were diluted in MEMα containing 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics. Gingival fibroblasts were treated for 24 hours with ZCSs. Cell survival was assessed fluorometrically. Transcript expression was assessed via RT-PCR, focusing on bone formation, collagens, growth factors, integrins, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). ZCSs had no effect on gingival cell survival. Stevia enhanced the expression of 50% of transcripts, while aspartame, erythritol, and sucralose all reduced the expression of >50% of transcripts. Notably, stevia increased the expression of osteocalcin, Collagen-10, BMP2, BMP7, integrins α2, α3, and α4, and MMP2. In contrast, aspartame and sucralose significantly reduced the expression of alkaline phosphatase while increasing BMP2. Aspartame, erythritol, and sucralose all inhibited the expression of multiple collagens, osteogenic proteins, growth factors, integrins, and MMP1. Zero calorie sweeteners did not alter cell survival but differentially regulated numerous transcripts involved in tissue healing. In general, aspartame, erythritol, and sucralose were inhibitory, while stevia was excitatory. Therefore, the choice of ZCS may have profound effects on the cells of the oral wound healing.