EJMS

Abstract

Introduction: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a substance that is widely used as flavoring agent. It is added to a broad range of food categories with no limit although it was reported to have toxic effects in different organs. Aim of the work: This study was performed to investigate the histological, immunohistochemical and serological effects of MSG on the renal cortex of adult male albino rats and to study the possible protective role of vitamin C supplementation after MSG treatment. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 45 adult male albino rats, which were divided into three groups: group I, which was considered as control; group II (monosodium glutamate-treated group), which received 6g of MSG thoroughly mixed with 550 g foods daily for 2 weeks; group III (vitamin C supplemented group), which received the same dose of MSG for 2 weeks then MSG administration was stopped and the rats received 250 mg/kg of vitamin C for one week via orogastric tube. At the time of sacrifice, blood samples were collected for serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen estimation. The kidneys were dissected and tissue samples were processed for both light and electron microscopic studies. Immunohistochemical study for detection of apoptosis using Caspase 3 protein was also performed and the area percent of positively stained cells was morphometrically estimated and statistically analyzed. Results: Examination of MSG-treated group revealed degenerated glomeruli and widened Bowman's spaces. The tubules were degenerated with widened lumena containing exfoliated cells. The lining epithelial cells of the renal tubules were resting on a thickened basement membrane. They had shrunken heterochromatic nuclei and swollen mitochondria. Regarding the vitamin C supplemented group, there was an improvement in the renal cortex structure except exfoliated cells were seen in some tubular lumena and shedding of cellular fragments. Conclusion: Administrations of MSG induced a degenerative effect on the renal cortex which was accompanied by elevation in the serum creatinine and BUN. On the other hand, vitamin C can improve that toxic manifestation occurred by MSG through its antioxidant effects.