Monosodium glutamate (MSG), one of the most widely used food additives worldwide, has been associated with harmful effects on different organs in animal models and human clinical volunteers. The present study evaluated the median lethal dose (LD50) and the effect of sub-chronic MSG consumption on plasma markers of pancreatic function in adult male Wistar rats. Seventy-six adult Wistar rats weighing 200 ± 50 g were randomly assigned into three groups viz: LD50, n=12, MSG-treated, n=32 and non-MSG-treated control, n=32. At weekly intervals, blood was collected from four randomly selected rats in each group for plasma markers (glucose, insulin, lipase and amylase) assays. Morbidity and mortality were not observed in the LD50 group. The glucose, insulin, lipase and amylase levels of MSG-treated group were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of non-MSG-treated control group. These findings suggest that MSG caused changes in the plasma activities of lipase and amylase, the absence of gross and microscopic lesions of congested blood vessel point to possible physiochemical alterations in the pancreatic acini with consequent enzyme leakage.
Key words: LD50, Monosodium glutamate, Pancreas, Plasma, Wistar rats
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