Uterotoxicity of monosodium glutamate exposure in wistar rats: protective role of alpha-tocopherol

Abstract

Despite the common usage of monosodium glutamate (MSG) as flavor enhancer, its excessive consumption has been linked to oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and disruptions in cellular function, including within the reproductive systems. This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of Vitamin E against monosodium glutamate-induced utero-toxicity in Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group A served as Control and received 1 ml of distilled water; Group B was administered 200 mg/kg of monosodium glutamate only; Group C received 100 IU/kg body weight of vitamin E and 200 mg/kg of monosodium glutamate; and Group D was given 100 IU/kg body weight of vitamin E only. Administration lasted for 28 days, after which the animals were sacrificed and the uterus were collected for histological assessments. Results from this study showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in final body weight when compared to the initial body weight in the Control and Vitamin E only groups. There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in body weight changes in the MSG+ Vit. E and the Vitamin E only groups when compared to control. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in uterine weight and utero-somatic index across the experimental groups. Histological assessment showed that MSG induced histological alterations evidenced as dilated uterine lumen, thin endometrium, and myometrial layers as well as reduced number and size of endometrial. However, in the group given MSG + vitamin E, there was significant improvement as evidenced by normal histological features similar to the control group; slit-like uterine lumen, endometrium containing several endometrial glands in the lamina propria, myometrium and perimetrium. In conclusion, findings from this study shows that Vitamin E attenuates MSG-induced uterotoxicity in Wistar rats.