Sucralose-6-acetate and sucralose in lab tests on cells
What it found
In lab tests, sucralose-6-acetate damaged DNA and altered genes linked to inflammation and cancer in human gut cells.
Both it and sucralose weakened the gut lining barrier.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
DNA damage in lab tests
Two lab screening tools showed that sucralose-6-acetate damages DNA. The damage worked by breaking DNA strands.
Formed in animal guts
Rodent studies found sucralose-6-acetate in feces at levels up to 10% relative to sucralose. This suggests the intestines convert sucralose into this chemical.
Gene changes in gut cells
Exposing human gut lining cells to sucralose-6-acetate raised activity in genes tied to inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer. The largest increase was in a gene called MT1G.
Weakened gut barrier
Both sucralose-6-acetate and sucralose weakened the barrier in human colon cells in lab tests. Electrical resistance and permeability measurements showed this impairment.
Blocked liver enzymes
Sucralose-6-acetate blocked two enzymes from the cytochrome P450 family in lab tests. These enzymes are called CYP1A2 and CYP2C19.
Other findings
Impurity in sucralose products
Sucralose-6-acetate is formed during manufacturing and found as an impurity. Recent commercial samples contained up to 0.67% of it.
What the authors conclude
- They say their findings raise major health concerns about sucralose itself because of the sucralose-6-acetate it contains or produces.
- They note that one daily sucralose-sweetened drink might deliver far more sucralose-6-acetate than the genotoxicity concern threshold of 0.15 µg/person/day.
- They call for a review of the regulatory status of sucralose.
How it was done
The authors wanted to check how a chemical called sucralose-6-acetate behaves in the body. This chemical is made during sucralose production and can also form inside the gut.
They tested sucralose-6-acetate and sucralose using screening tools for DNA damage. They also exposed human gut lining cells to both chemicals and measured changes in gene activity and barrier strength. Rodent studies were used to check if the chemical forms in the intestines.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These are lab tests on cells and rodents, so they cannot show what happens in people who eat or drink sucralose.
- Lab tests measure short-term cell responses rather than long-term health outcomes.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- University of North Carolina/North Carolina State University, USA; University of North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State University, USA
The paper
- Title
- Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Schiffman SS, Scholl EH, Furey TS, Nagle HT (2023). Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays. Journal of toxicology and environmental health. Part B, Critical reviews. doi:10.1080/10937404.2023.2213903PubMed 37246822DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error