Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the levels of arterial blood pressure (ABP) and renal excretory function. Male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups (n = 24 each) namely sham operation (SO) and 2-kidneys-1-clip (2K1C) to develop the normotensive and hypertensive model, respectively. Four weeks after the operation, each group of rats were further divided into 4 subgroups (n = 6 each) which were orally administered of either distilled water or MSG at the doses of 80, 160, or 320 mg/kg BW/day once a day for 8 weeks. The body weight, the 24-hour water intake, and the 24-hour urine output were recorded weekly. Then, each rat was anesthetized and the ABP was measured via carotid artery. The renal excretory function was examined by using the clearance technique to measure the levels of the glomerular filtration rate and the renal blood flow. The levels of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of oxidative stress were analyzed. The expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the kidneys was also investigated using immunohistochemistry. It was found that all doses of MSG significantly increased the ABP in both SO and 2K1C groups. All doses of MSG significantly increased the serum MDA levels and the expression of TNF-α in the kidneys of the SO groups. Long-term intake of 320 mg/kg BW MSG significantly decreased the renal excretion of salt and water in both SO and 2K1C groups. As a whole, this study demonstrated that MSG consumption contributed to an increase in oxidative stress which could lead to alterations in the cardiovascular and renal function.