Effects of Chronic Consumption of Monosodium Glutamate in Sprague Dawley Rats’ Liver

The safety of monosodium glutamate (MSG) usage has generated much controversy, because of the toxic nature of monosodium glutamate which is often added to food to improve taste and the fear that this may have deleterious effect on many organs of the body is on the increase. The evaluation of the effect of monosodium glutamate (analytical and commercial grade) on the liver of Sprague-Dawley rats was carried out. Monosodium glutamate administration caused significant increase in the body weight of experimental rats also the sera revealed that the transaminases level were significantly up-regulated. Evidence from histological data confirmed structural changes like hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes, periportal cellular infiltration by mononuclear cells, severe portal and central venous congestion which is an indication that the liver functions may have been affected.