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Introduction: Aspartame is the most widely used artificial sweeteners. Stevia is a worldwide natural sweetener plant with medicinal and commercial importance. Stress responses are mediated both in the central and peripheral nervous system. The principal effectors of the stress response are localized in the hypothalamus, the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, and the adrenal gland. This is commonly referred to as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Aim: To compare the effect of aspartame and stivea on the pituitary adrenal axis. Material and Methods: A total of 30 adult male albino rats were equally divided into three groups. Group I was the Control Group. Group II (ASP Group) received aspartame (ASP), at daily oral dose 250 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Group III (stevia Group) received stevia at daily oral dose 250 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Results: In aspartame-treated group there was apoptosis of zona fasciculata cells with subsequent corticotrophic hyperplasia. In stevia treated groups minimal changes were observed with no significant changes in number of corticotrophes. Conclusion: As a natural sweetener, stevia is safer than aspartame on the adrenal pituitary axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Monosodium glutamate is widely used either as preservatives or enhancer of palatability. It is toxic to both human and experimental animals. Ascorbic acid is a natural antioxidant and has broad spectrum pharmacological properties. Aim of the work: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of monosodium glutamate on the structure of the spleen and to detect the efficacy of ascorbic acid to counteract these changes. Material and methods: Thirty adult albino rats were divided equally into three groups. Group I was the control group; group II rats were intraperitonialy injected with monosodium glutamate (4mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks; and group III, were treated with the same previous dose of monosodium glutamate and 500 mg/kg/day ascorbic A for 2 weeks. At the end of the experiment, specimens from the spleen were taken and prepared for H&E, Gomori silver stain and immunohistochemical stains (CD4 and CD68). Results: In group II, there were loss of architecture of the spleen and significant increase in area % of the reticular fibers. Megakaryocytes were frequently noticed. There was a significant decrease in the number of both CD4+ T helper cells and CD68+ macrophages in comparison with the control group. In group III, a marked improvement in the structure of the spleen was observed, and the number of both CD4+ and CD68+ cells were significantly increased as compared to group II. Conclusion: Monosodium glutamate had an immunosuppressive effect. Treatment with ascorbic acid was found to have protective role against this toxic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]