Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of two different doses of Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) on the sublingual salivary glands of rats.
Design: Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats with an average weight of 200-230 gm were randomly allocated into 3 groups. Group Ι (control group): received distilled water, Group ΙΙ: received 15 mg/kg b.w MSG orally and Group ΙΙΙ: received 30 mg/kg b.w MSG orally. After 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed. The sublingual salivary glands were examined histologically, immunohistochemically and histomorphometrically.
Results: Histologically, the striated ducts in group II showed ill-defined borders, pyknotic nuclei and cytoplasmic vacuolations. Examination of group III revealed marked cellular pleomorphism and loss of cell borders of mucous acini, the striated ducts showed distorted striations, while polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) infiltration and engorged blood vessels were traced in the connective tissue. Immunohistochemical examination showed strong immunoreactivity to caspase-3 in group III and weak to moderate reaction in group II.
Conclusion: Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) causes variable degrees of degenerative changes in the sublingual salivary glands of rats.