Evaluation of morphological changes of the pancreas in the conditions of experimental action of sodium glutamate

Abstract

Sodium glutamate, also known as monosodium glutamate (MSG), is frequently used as a flavor enhancer in the food industry. Excessive consumption of sodium glutamate can be harmful to human health. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological features of the exocrine part of the pancreatic gland under experimental conditions with prolonged exposure to sodium glutamate in the diet. In the experimental study on rats after modeling the action of monosodium glutamate (sodium glutamate) at a dose of 70 mg/kg body weight, the exocrine part of the pancreatic gland was examined using light and electron microscopy after 2, 3, and 5-7 weeks. The experimental study was conducted on white male laboratory rats of reproductive age with an average weight of 168.0±5.0 g. The animals were randomized into two groups: group 1 (n=6) included intact rats and group 2 (n=15) consisted of animals receiving sodium glutamate in their diet. Histological specimens were stained with hematoxylin, eosin, and azan, and electron microscopy samples were stained using the Reynolds method. The results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA analysis with Statistics 20.0.0.2 software. At the early stage of the experiment, changes were observed in the acini with the formation of small clusters comprising 2-3 acinar cells exhibiting increased accumulation of zymogen, which is an early important sign of pancreatitis. Swelling and replacement of the pancreatic gland with connective and adipose tissue progressed over the study period and were accompanied by structural alterations in the pancreatic gland. Round-cell infiltrates appeared in the areas where ducts and vascular bundles were located starting from the 5th week of observation, indicating the development of an inflammatory process. Histopathological changes at the 6th and 7th weeks following prolonged administration of sodium glutamate were similar to the pattern of pancreatitis in humans. Atrophy, degenerative changes, and inflammation were observed in the exocrine part of the pancreatic gland after 6-7 weeks of prolonged oral sodium glutamate intake. Thus, prolonged inclusion of sodium glutamate at a dose of 70 mg/kg body weight in the diet leads to irreversible destructive, degenerative, and inflammatory changes in the pancreatic gland.