Effects of continuous intake of Mg-deficient diet with sweetener solution on serotonin levels in the brains of mice

Abstract

Focusing on magnesium (Mg), insulin, and the neurotransmitter serotonin, we conducted an animal experiment on serotonin secretion in the brain under the conditions of continuous intake of Mg-deficient diet both with and without intake of sweetener solution, which has been shown to affect insulin metabolism.

Experimental animals comprised 5 or 6-weeks male ddY mice. As Mg-deficient diet groups, AIN-93G Mg-deficient diet was given accompanied by the following solutions: 1 distilled water; 2 sucrose; 3 aspartame; 4 stevioside; 5 minerals-trehalose; or 6 trehalose. As controls, groups corresponding to the Mg-deficient diet groups 1 through 6 were set using AIN-93G diet. Each diet was provided ad libitum, and each sweetener solution was prepared to have a sweetness level of 10% . Levels of serotonin and protein in the brain were then measured.

As a result, under the present experimental conditions, continuous intake of Mg-deficient diet tended to reduce serotonin levels in the brains of mice. The present findings also suggest a tendency for this phenomenon to be promoted with simultaneous continuous intake of sweetener solution.