Investigating In Vitro Genotoxic Effects of Sweetener Xylitol

Abstract

Xylitol (XYL) is a sweetener used as a food additive in the food industry. In the present study, four different genotoxicity assays (chromosomal aberration=CA, sister chromatid exchange=SCE, cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome=CBMN-Cyt, and comet assays) were conducted to assess the potential genotoxicity of XYL in human lymphocytes. Four concentrations (125, 250, 500, and 1000 ?g mL-1) of XYL were applied to lymphocytes obtained from three healthy young donors. The frequency of CA was not significantly affected by 24-h administration of XYL (except 1000 ?g mL-1 for the number of CAs). 48 h treatment of XYL increased the frequency of CAs and abnormal cells. However, this increase was significant at only two highest concentrations. XYL significantly increased SCE/cell rate at the two highest concentrations at both treatment times (24 and 48h). Similarly, the frequency of MN, Nuclear buds (NBUDs), and Nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) significantly increased by XYL only at the high concentrations. It raised the comet parameters at the two highest concentrations. These observations showed that XYL, only at high concentrations, may have a genotoxic effect on human lymphocytes in vitro. For this reason, it can be concluded that its use at low concentrations may not cause DNA or chromosomal damage.