Effects of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) On the Histological Features of the Spinal Cord of Adult Wister Rat

Abstract

An investigation was carried out on the effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG), a commonly used food additive, on the spinal cord of adult Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult Wistar rats weighing between 180-250g were divided into four groups of six rats per group. Graduated does of 6mg, 12mg and 18mg per kilogram body weight were administered orally to three groups of animals labeled A, B and C. The fourth group served as control and received normal physiological saline. The spinal cord of the animals were dissected out and fixed in 10% formal saline. Spinal cord tissues were processed and stained by the Haematoxyline Eosine method. The results showed increased weight in the experimental animals, which is dose dependent. Histological examination of spinal cord ‘tissues revealed a decreased haematoxylin uptake, which is suggestive of increased metabolic activities. This increase was also observed to be dose dependent. Evidence of cell damage and degeneration within the group also seem to be dose dependent.