Role of Monosodium Glutamate in Antioxidant Modulations and Structural Alterations in Skeletal and Smooth Muscles of Male Wistar Rats

 Kalyebi Isaac

School of Pharmacy, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

MSG is a salt of sodium and glutamic acid used all over the world to enhance flavour in various food. MSG increases the appetite by stimulating the appetite centre in the brain but nowadays it has been debated for its safety and harmful effects as it affects almost every major organ in the body. The aim of this study is to assess the role of Monosodium glutamate in modulating skeletal and smooth muscle Tissue calcium levels, and histopathological changes in muscles of Male wistar Rats.30 adult 7 week old male wistar rats was used and were grouped into 6 groups which include; group A fed with regular feed + MSG Sub-cut at 6 g/kg/day, group B fed with powdered feed* + 5% MSG in feed, group C fed with Powdered feed + 2% MSG in feed, group D fed with Sub-cut at 6 mg/kg/day and groupE fed with Regular feed + water. Rats were kept for a total of 30 days and sacrificed at the end. Biochemical analysis of tissue calcium was done using commercial calcium test kits and the absorbance of the specimen and standard were measured against reagent blank using standard methods. Histopathological analysis on sections of skeletal and smooth muscle blocks of each rat were done using the standard Haematoxylin and Eosin technique and morphometric changes were assessed using light microscopy and ImageJ®. Levels of calcium in the skeletal muscles were higher in the control group showing that MSG was not associated with high levels of calcium. Levels of MSG in smooth muscles at low concentrations and dosages did not show any significant structural alterations. Catalase levels in both skeletal and smooth muscles were not affected while levels of MDA were severely affected following MSG treatment at high dosages. Concentrations of MSG used in this study were not associated with any toxic effects in rats and usage of MSG at these low concentrations through feed supplement should be encouraged.

Keywords: Monosodium glutamate, histopathological, rats, smooth muscles, antioxidant

CITE AS: Kalyebi Isaac (2024). Role of Monosodium Glutamate in Antioxidant Modulations and Structural Alterations in Skeletal and Smooth Muscles of Male Wistar Rats. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES 3(1):138-144.