Sub-Acute Study on the Cardiotoxic Effects of Monosodium Glutamate Ingestion in Albino Rat

Objective: Many studies has shown that monosodium glutamate (MSG) causes Chinese restaurant syndrome which is associated with significant numbness in the neck, arms, and back, as well as headaches, dizziness, and palpitations especially in high doses. This present study evaluated the sub-acute study on the effect of MSG on the heart. Method: Eighteen (18) albino rats were randomly grouped according to their body weight into 3 groups A, B and C with 6 animals in group A and 7 rats in groups B and C respectively. Group A rats were used as controls. Group B received high dose (1ml/kg) of the monosodium glutamate concentration while group C received a low dose (0.5ml/kg) of the monosodium glutamate concentration for twenty one (21) days. The functionality of the heart was established by estimating the serum level of CK-MB (U/L), LDH (U/L) and AST (U/L), data analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 21 and results from the biochemical assay were reported as mean +/- SEM. The level of significance was tested using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey post hoc analysis and the probability levels less than 0.05 (p<0.05) were considered significant. Result: A statistically non-significant (P>0.05) decreased levels of CK-MB, statistically significant (<0.05) increased levels of LDH (U/L) and statistically significant (<0.05) decreased levels of AST (U/L), were seen in the High dose of MGS (1ml/ kg) group B when compared with group A (normal control). It was observed that Low dose of MSG (0.5ml/kg) did not show any significant alterations in the biochemical parameters measured. The histopathological results showed a concomitant agreement with the biochemical results. Results showed a significant weight gain at high dose but no serious observable danger to the heart at the doses studied. Conclusion: : Cardiotoxicity by monosodium glutamate is dose-dependent, therefore it could pose a great risk to the heart if ingested in high amount.