Scientists link sugar substitute Sorbitol to liver disease, in zebrafish

Summary

Scientists are uncovering surprising ways alternative sweeteners interact with metabolism and the gut microbiome. The results hint that these substitutes may influence the body in ways not previously recognized. Credit: Stock New research reveals that sorbitol, a common sugar alcohol used in “low-calorie” foods, can behave much like fructose once inside the body, potentially contributing to liver strain and metabolic dysfunction. Sweeteners such as aspartame, found in Equal packets, sucralose (Splenda), and various sugar alcohols are often viewed as better choices than foods containing refined sugar (glucose). However, new research is beginning to question that belief. Recent findings show that the sugar alcohol sorbitol may not be as harmless as many assumed. A study published in Science Signaling adds to ongoing work from the laboratory of Gary Patti at Washington University in St. Louis, which has been investigating how fructose affects the liver and other parts of the body. Patti, the Michael and Tana Powell Professor of Chemistry in Arts & Sciences and a professor of genetics and medicine at WashU Medicine, has previously shown that fructose processed in the liver can be used by cancer cells to fuel their growth. Earlier studies have also linked fructose to steatotic liver disease, a condition that affects about 30% of adults worldwide. Sorbitol as a Stealth Source of Fructose One of the most unexpected results from the new research is the discovery that sorbitol is “one transformation away from fructose,” which allows it to trigger similar biological responses, according to Patti. Experiments in zebrafish revealed that sorbitol, which appears in “low-calorie” candies and gum and occurs naturally in stone fruits, can be produced by enzymes in the gut and later converted into fructose once it reaches the liver. The research team found that the body can reach fructose through many different metabolic pathways. These routes can vary based on how much sorbitol and ...