A histological study on the effect of prenatal and postnatal administration of monosodium glutamate on the developing renal cortex of male albino rats

Abstract

Background Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavour enhancer. Its use in high concentration could affect vital functions, including those of the kidney. Aim of work The present study is concerned with evaluation of the effect of prenatal and postnatal MSG administration on the developing male albino rat renal cortex. Materials and methods Twenty pregnant female albino rats were divided into two equal groups: group I (control) and group II (treated). In group II, MSG was administered orally at a dose of 2 mg/kg/day from the 12th day of gestation until the 21st day postnatally. After delivery, the offspring of both groups were sacrificed at the newborn stage, at 3 weeks and at 3 months. Kidney specimens were processed for examination by light and scanning electron microscopy. Results Maternal MSG administration affected both the renal glomeruli and tubules of the offspring. In the newborn stage, the glomeruli at the subcapsular zone appeared immature and crowded. The foot processes showed apparent elongation and disruption of their interdigitations. In weaned rats, apparent widening of Bowman’s space in some glomeruli, detachment of podocytes and effacement of foot processes were noticed. In adult rats, the glomeruli showed hypercellularity with apparent elongation and fusion of the foot processes. The renal tubules at the different ages studied showed degenerative changes with sloughs inside the lumen of some tubules accompanied by proliferative changes. The proximal tubules showed partial loss of the brush border. Conclusion MSG causes a delay in the development of glomeruli. Some glomeruli showed hypercellularity with affection of podocytes, which makes the glomeruli liable to glomerulosclerosis.