Effect of monosodium glutamate on liver of pregnant rats and their fetuses (Histological and histochemical studies)

Background: monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavor enhancer and stabilizer in readymade or packaged foods. The excessive use of MSG increases the oxidative stress in the different body systems and causes teratogenic effects on fetuses of mothers treated with it in the gestational periods. Aim of the work: this study investigated effects of MSG on maternal and fetal liver tissue. Material and Methods: the present work was carried out on fifty mature pregnant Albino rats (Weight 200 ± 20 g) and six male rats in the reproductive age (Older than 60 days). The first group was served as the control group. The remnant pregnant rats were categorized into two sub- groups. Animals of the 1st sub group were dissected on day 15th of gestation (C15) and the second was dissected on day 19th (C19) of gestation. The second group was administrated monosodium glutamate daily with the dose of 7 g/10mL/kg body weight from the 9th to 14th of gestation. Then the pregnant mothers were categorized into two sub- groups, the first was dissected on the 15th day (G15) and the second on the 19th day (G19) of gestation. The pregnant mothers were dissected after anesthesia which was performed by Halothane produced by Pharco. Comp. The uterine horns were removed from the surrounding fats then fetuses were removed from the surrounding amniotic membranes.  Histopathological and histochemical studies were done on the   maternal and fetal liver tissue through hematoxylin-eosin stain and Feulgen reaction. Results: numerous degenerative changes were detected in both maternal and fetal liver tissues of G15 and G19 groups. These changes included: vacuolation in hepatocytes, degenerative and necrotic areas and atrophied size of hepatocytes with pyknotic nuclei. These changes were observed in the centrolobular zones and the portal zones. Conclusions: This study showed that short-term MSG exposure in the gestational periods caused several histological and histochemical changes in the maternal and fetal liver tissues. These findings should be re-evaluated in additional long-term studies.