Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancing food additive that may be present in packaged food without appearing on the label. This could increase the possibility of its inadvertent consumption in high concentration. The study investigated the effects of MSG on some serum markers of renal functions in adult male Wistar rats by daily oral exposure to 3 ml kg^-1 dose distilled water (DW) and 15 mg kg^-1 MSG for 4 weeks. In the serum, MSG treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased urea and creatinine concentrations, whereas it markedly increased the computed urea to creatinine (Urea: Creatinine) ratio. The results appear to suggest that exposure to MSG (15 mg kg^-1) significantly altered the renal functions in rats by way of compromised urea and creatinine metabolism. The nutritional and health implications of the results may be significant in animals and therefore warrant further and better controlled investigation in humans.

Key words: Monosodium glutamate, Wistar rats, renal functions, urea, creatinine.