EFFECT OF SODIUM SACCHARIN ON THE TRACHEA L EPITHELIUM OF THE MOUSE

The present study evaluated the effect of sodium saccharin on mouse tr acheal epithelium, in relation to its possible structural alterations. Mice of the C3H strain were fed with standard pellets supplemented wi th sodium saccharin for 180 days. At that time the mice were sacrifice d and their trachea were processed for transmission electronic microsc opy. We demonstrated that sodium saccharin produces alterations in cel lular surface cilia, with cytoplasmic excrescences and ciliar malforma tions. These results suggest that sodium saccharin is not an innocuous sweetener and that it may cause structural alterations in epithelial tissues.