The purpose of the study was to analyze the available published data on the effects of monosodium glutamate on structure and function of different organs and systems of a living organism, as well as the role of monosodium glutamate in the development of certain pathologic conditions. Special attention was dedicated to the data pertaining the reported morphological manifestations of monosodium glutamate unfavorable effects on cardiovascular, digestive and reproductive systems, as well as metabolic processes. Data about suspected genotoxicity of monosodium glutamate was also analyzed with the effects on cancerogenesis in focus. Careful attention was paid to general design of specific studies, doses of monosodium glutamate administered and the rout of administration applied to facilitate estimation of relevance and clinical significance of the data obtained in any given study. Materials and methods. The search was done in the databases of Google Scholar, NCBI, PUBMED and Web of Science using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis PRISMA) Guidelines. The depth of the search was 10 years but several older papers that were significant for understanding the background of the monosodium glutamate research were also included. Results and discussion. Monosodium glutamate is a flavor enhancer that is widely used and is consumed by adults and children on a daily basis. Despite monosodium glutamate is generally considered to be safe for consumption and is permitted for use in many countries, numerous studies have shown its various toxic effects on organs and tissues that resulted in impaired structure and function. That is why scientific research on monosodium glutamate effects on the structure and function of certain organs and systems of a living organism remains relevant, especially given the variety and somewhat ambiguity of the data available. Available evidence of monosodium glutamate induced morphological changes has special clinical significance, as it is the structural disturbances that are the main underlying cause of impaired functions that result in development of pathologic processes and diseases. So determination of relevance and estimation of quality of the data available is crucial for its interpretation and determination of its possible clinical extrapolation. Conclusion. The data shows that monosodium glutamate consumption may be associated with adverse effects, particularly with cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity, metabolic disorders, obesity, diabetes mellitus, chronic inflammation, behavioral changes and even genotoxicity. However, taking into account different design and methodology of the studies and various doses of monosodium glutamate administered, certain difficulties that arise while extrapolating the studies’ results to wider population and their sometimes limited clinical application point towards the need for further research and generalizations on the effects of short-term and long-term administration of various doses of monosodium glutamate and their effects on molecular, biochemical and structural levels
Carotid artery pathology is one of the leading causes of cerebral stroke. Among the pathogenetic factors in the development of carotid artery damage, disorders of lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome occupy a prominent place. The alimentary factor is extremely important in this context. Monosodium glutamate is one of the most common food additives, which is often used uncontrollably and can cause changes in the structure and functions of organs and tissues. The purpose of the study: to analyze the dynamics of morphological changes in the carotid sinus area under the influence of monosodium glutamate when administered orally in an experiment. The area of the carotid sinus of 20 male laboratory white rats that received sodium glutamate orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks was studied by morphological methods at the macro- and microstructural levels after 6 and 8 weeks of the experiment. The obtained data are compared with the results of a morphological study of the same area in 20 animals of the control group. Statistical processing of animal weight was performed using MS Excel 2007 software. Mean ± standard deviation was determined. After 6 weeks of the experiment, when evaluating the histological structure of the wall of the internal carotid artery in the area located directly above the bifurcation, when compared with the control group, multiplication and folding of the intima were found in the experimental group, presumably associated with the proliferation of endothelial cells under the influence of sodium glutamate, detachment of the endothelium and lysis of individual endotheliocytes, as well as uneven thickening of elastic media fibers and disruption of their structure. Attention was drawn to the accumulation of white fat perivasally and in the zone of the carotid glomus, as well as the disorganization of nerves and the expansion of vessels of the microcirculatory channel. After 8 weeks of the experiment, the negative dynamics of structural changes were noticeable: signs of increased inflammatory infiltration, deformation of the vessels of the microcirculatory bed with thickening of their walls and narrowing of the lumen, stasis, noticeable degranulation of cells of type I carotid glomus cells, the appearance of single labrocytes (mast cells) in the infiltrate. The amount of adipose tissue (white fat) in the area of the carotid sinus and the perivasal bifurcation of the carotid arteries, as well as in the immediate vicinity of the carotid glomus, also increased markedly, and a tendency towards thickening of adipose tissue was noted. Thus, monosodium glutamate with systematic oral use can cause a violation of the structural organization of the carotid sinus, the wall of the carotid arteries and the carotid glomus, and the severity of changes in dynamics increases. Further research is needed to clarify the nature of the structural changes in the carotid sinus under the conditions of withdrawal of monosodium glutamate, as well as to find possible ways of correction.
The increase in global burden of stroke is hard to overestimate. Every year it continues to be a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Extracranial pathology of the carotid arteries is a major underlying reason of stroke. Given the role of alimentary factors in the development of atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries, possible influence of food additives on the carotid sinus structure is of special interest. Monosodium glutamate is one of the most common food additives that is allowed for consumption in many countries due to it being considered relatively safe. Recent scientific research however points towards the possible adverse effects of monosodium glutamate on the living organism. The aim of this study was to analyze qualitative and quantitative parameters of carotid sinus structural organization of white male albino rats under normal conditions, in the setting of oral monosodium glutamate consumption and after its withdrawal. Carotid sinuses of 30 white male albino rats that had been daily consuming 10 mg/kg of monosodium glutamate for 4 or 8 weeks with subsequent withdrawal for 2 weeks were subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis at different time-points of the experiment. The data obtained was compared with the results of morphologic and morphometric study of carotid sinuses of 9 rats of the control group. For morphometric analysis, the following parameters were considered: intima thickness, media thickness, adventitia thickness, diameters of the arterioles, venules and capillaries of the carotid sinus vasa vasorum. Summarizing the morphometric analysis results, it is worth noting that, for the duration of 8 weeks of the experiment, steady increase in the thickness of all layers of the vascular wall, but especially intima and adventitia, was observed in the study group. At the same time, the diameter of the arterioles located in the carotid sinus adventitia was decreasing, while venules and capillaries demonstrated invariable increase of their lumen diameter. After 2 weeks of monosodium glutamate withdrawal, the thickness of intima and adventitia continued to increase, while media thickness had somewhat decreased, probably due to fibrosis and dystrophy. The tendency towards narrowing of the arterioles’ lumen and widening of the venules and capillaries persisted for at least 2 weeks despite discontinuation of monosodium glutamate. Therefore, systematic consumption of monosodium glutamate may lead to impairment of carotid sinus structural organization, particularly endothelial proliferation, fibrotic and dystrophic changes of media, adventitia thickening as well as microcirculatory vessels damage, that continue to persist despite the food additive withdrawal.
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