[Changes in cytomembrane and surface cells of the large intestine resulting from the action of sweetening agents].

Saccharin and cyclamates have been proved to cause organic damage. This work attempt to describe drug-induced changes brought about by drugs in 1/1000 saccharin and cyclamate-fed rats for 90 days. The ultrastructural findings show: microvilli hypertrophy; membranous mitochondrial increase in absorptive cells; and secretion changes in calciform cells. Such changes are cell-response phenomena to interference or mutagenic action on nuclear DNA or on cytoplasmatic metabolism.