Aspartame

Aspartame is a synthetic non-caloric sweetener that is metabolized to phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol in the gut. Aspartame (80 mg/kg per day for 90 days) increases plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, induces hepatocyte degeneration and leukocyte infiltration in the liver, and reduces hepatic levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and γ-glutamylcysteine (γ-GC) in mice. Formulations containing aspartame have been used as sweetening agents and flavor enhancers in foods and beverages.