Poster Presentation ANZOS-ASLM-ICCR 2019

Metabolic effects in offspring exposed to maternal non-nutritive sweetener consumption during pregnancy : A systematic review and meta-analysis in animal models (#153)

Heidi L Morahan 1 , Cathalijn H Leenaars 2 , Robert A Boakes 3 , Kieron B Rooney 1
  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Hannover Medical School, Hannover University, Hannover, Germany
  3. School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background:

Consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners has dramatically increased over the last decade, largely due to public health policies advocating a reduction to added sugar intakes. Yet research has suggested a link between NNS consumption and obesity, poor appetite control and altered glycaemic homeostasis. The association with obesity extends to children exposed during pregnancy through the maternal diet. However, this has largely been observed in human cohort studies. Therefore we look to animal models, which have yielded widely varying results. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the relationship between maternal NNS diet during pregnancy and offspring bodyweight (BW), glycaemic control and sweet preferences in rodent models.

 

Methods:

Four databases were searched (PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Web of Science) to identify studies investigating maternal NNS consumption during gestation and/or lactation. Methodological quality was assessed using the SYRCLE Risk of Bias tool and reporting quality by adherence to the ARRIVE Guidelines. Extracted data were pooled and meta-analyses conducted for maternal and offspring BW and litter outcomes. Heterogeneity was further explored by sub-group analyses for sex and strain.

 

Results:

Results from 24 included papers identified exposure to NNS reduced maternal BW during pregnancy (SMD=-0.34, 95% CI-0.59,-0.08, I2=12%), with no effect on litter outcomes (p>0.05). Offspring BW during weaning and adulthood observed decreases in both sexes (Males: SMD=-0.70; 95% CI=-1.19,-0.21; I2=72%; Females: SMD=-0.84; 95% CI=-1.36,-0.32; I2=68%;)  Subgroup analyses revealed reductions in BW of rat (SMD=-0.54; 95% CI=-1.00,-0.07; I2=84%), but not mouse models (SMD=0.07; 95% CI=0.13,0.27; I2=0%). High NNS dosage may be a moderating factor for reduced feed palatability, which could confound BW results. Conclusions could not be drawn for glycaemic control and sweet preference outcomes due to the limited number of studies.

 

Conclusion:

Despite many papers being predisposed to bias, the balance of evidence suggests a maternal NNS diet reduced BW in pregnant dams and their offspring.