Histological and immunohistochemical effects of chronic intraperitoneal monosodium glutamate at doses equivalent to human consumption in cerebellar cortex of the adult mice

Abstract

Background: Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer, is one of the most widely used commercial food additives. MSG produces oxidative stress in various tissues including cerebellar cortex. There is a paucity if data on the histological and immunohistochemical changes of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) on chronic administration of MSG at doses equivalent to human consumption (i.e., 40 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg, and 80 mg/kg daily for 3-month duration), hence this study. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the histological and immunohistochemical effects produced by MSG at doses equivalent to human consumption (40mg/kg/day, 60 mg/kg/day, and 80 mg/kg/day) in cerebellar cortex of adult mice. Materials and Methods: Study commenced after the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee approval. 40 Swiss-albino mice were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 served as the negative control and received distilled water i.p. Groups 2, 3, and 4 received MSG at increasing doses. Animals were euthanized at 3 months, cerebellar samples were examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Results: Degeneration of the layers of cerebellar cortex in histopathology and reduction in the GFAP activity was observed in immunohistochemistry. Conclusion: MSG due to its wide consumption can cause degenerative changes in the cerebellum.