One of the food additives that are used extensively in the food industry is monosodium glutamate which has a flavor enhancer that is considered a doubleedged sword on human health. Tannic acid (TA) is a natural antioxidant that works against many toxic substances. The current study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of MSG on rat liver with a possible protective role of TA. Forty adult male albino rats were used. They were divided into 4 equal groups, 10 rats each. Group, I was the control group, Group II received TA (100 mg/kg) by oral gavage, Group III received MSG (2 g/kg) by oral gavage and Group IV received (TA and MSG) by oral gavage for 4weeks. At the end of the study, biochemical analysis was done and revealed that Group III showed a significant increase in the body weight and significant elevation in the serum levels of ALT and AST enzymes compared to group I with p > 0.001. While, there was a non-significant difference in relative liver weight with p> 0.05. Histopathological examination revealed that group III showed a severe complete loss in hepatic architecture such as congestion and dilatation in the blood vessels with different cellular changes such as necrosis and apoptosis as compared to group I. All these deleterious effects of MSG were greatly ameliorated by TA administration in group IV as compared to group III.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a widely used food additive that has several deleterious effects on different body organs. Tannic acid (TA) is a naturally occurring antioxidants with several pharmacological properties. The present study was designed to study the toxic effects of MSG on the pancreas with the possible ameliorative role of TA. Forty male albino rats were used in this study in the form of four groups, 10 rats each. Group I, was the control group, fed on the standard diet, Group II received TA (100mg/kg), Group III received MSG (2g/kg) and Group IV received TA and MSG orally by gavage for 4weeks. Biochemical analysis revealed that MSG affected the pancreatic function by a significant increase in the serum levels of amylase and lipase enzymes, as well as, the blood sugar level (p < 0.001) meanwhile it did not significantly affect plasma insulin level (p>0.05). Histopathological examination showed severe destruction in the pancreatic architecture with hypertrophy and hyperplasia in the pancreatic islets as well as a decrease in the number of acinar cells in addition to congestion and dilation in the blood vessels. Co-administration of TA with MSG attenuated these effects; this role may be explained by its anti-oxidative effects that need future research to explain the mechanism of action. It is concluded that MSG has a deleterious effect on the pancreas functionally and morphologically and TA act as a good antioxidant agent against MSG toxicity.
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