nutrients Article Saccharin and Sucralose Protect the Glomerular Microvasculature In Vitro against VEGF-Induced Permeability Emmanuella Enuwosa 1, Lata Gautam 2, Linda King 1 and Havovi Chichger 1,* 1 Biomedical Research Group, Faculty of Science & Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK;
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[email protected] (L.K.) 2 Forensic Science Research Group, Faculty of Science & Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK;
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[email protected] Abstract: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has become a global health concern, with about 40% of people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus developing DKD. Upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the kidney is a significant pathology of DKD associated with increased glomerular vascular permeability. To date, however, current anti-VEGF therapies have demonstrated limited success in treating DKD. Recent studies have shown that artificial sweeteners exhibit anti-VEGF potential. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the effects of aspartame, sac- charin, and sucralose on VEGF-induced leak using an in vitro model of the glomerular endothelium. Saccharin and sucralose but not aspartame protected against VEGF-induced permeability. Whilst the sweeteners had no effect on traditional VEGF signalling, GC-MS analysis demonstrated that the sweetener sucralose was not able to enter the glomerular endothelial cell to exert the protective effect. Chemical and molecular inhibition studies demonstrated that sweetener-mediated protection of the glomerular endothelium against VEGF is dependent on the sweet taste receptor, T1R3.