Evaluation of the cardiac effect of monosodium glutamate (Ajinomoto) in albino rats

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a common food ingredient and taste enhancer, but consuming large amounts of it has prompted many questions about its safety and potential negative effects, particularly on the heart. Therefore, this present study evaluated the effect of MSG on the heart. Eighteen (18) albino rats were randomly grouped according to their body weight into 3 groups A, B, and C with 6 rats in each group. Group A were used as controls. Group B received high dose (4 mg/kg) of the monosodium glutamate concentration while group C received a low dose (2 mg/kg) of the monosodium glutamate concentration for twenty-one (21) days. The activity of the heart was assessed by determining the level of CK-MB, LDH and AST in the serum. It was observed that rats on high dose of MSG gained significant weight when compared to control group. A non-significant (P>0.05) decrease in CK-MB, statistically significant (P<0.05) increase in LDH and statistically significant decrease in AST were seen in the high dose MSG group when compared to the control group. Low dose MSG group did not show any significant alterations in the biochemical parameters measured. The histopathology analysis showed that the myocardial fibres of the high dose and low dose MSG group are normal. These results showed that MSG can cause weight gain at high dose, but there was no observable damage to the heart at high and low doses.