Effect of water restriction on the development of hypothalamic lesions in weanling rodents given MSG. I. Drinking behaviour and physiological parameters in mice (Mus musculus)

Re-evaluation of glutamic acid (E 620), sodium glutamate (E 621), potassium glutamate (E 622), calcium glutamate (E 623), ammonium glutamate (E 624) and magnesium glutamate (E 625) as food additives

The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) provides a scientific opinion re-evaluating the safety of glutamic acid-glutamates (E 620-625) when used as food additives. Glutamate is absorbed in the intestine and it is presystemically metabolised in the gut wall. No adverse effects were observed in the available short-term, subchronic, chronic, reproductive and developmental studies. The only effect observed was increased kidney weight and increased spleen weight; however, the increase in organ weight was not accompanied by adverse histopathological findings and, therefore, the increase in organ weight was not considered as an adverse effect. The Panel considered that glutamic acid-glutamates (E 620-625) did not raise concern with regards to genotoxicity. From a neurodevelopmental toxicity study, a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 3,200 mg monosodium glutamate/kg body weight (bw) per day could be identified. The Panel assessed the suitability of human data to be used for the derivation of a health-based guidance value. Although effects on humans were identified human data were not suitable due to the lack of dose-response data from which a dose without effect could be identified. Based on the NOAEL of 3,200 mg monosodium glutamate/kg bw per day from the neurodevelopmental toxicity study and applying the default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel derived a group acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 30 mg/kg bw per day, expressed as glutamic acid, for glutamic acid and glutamates (E 620-625). The Panel noted that the exposure to glutamic acid and glutamates (E 620-625) exceeded not only the proposed ADI, but also doses associated with adverse effects in humans for some population groups.

Taste effects of 'umami' substances in hamsters as studied by electrophysiological and conditioned taste aversion techniques

Behavioral and electrophysiological experiments were performed to examine whether or not the taste of 'umami' substances such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), disodium 5'-inosinate (IMP), and disodium 5'-guanilate (GMP) is really unique in hamsters. When the animals were conditioned to avoid ingestion of MSG (or IMP) or their mixture by pairing its ingestion with an i.p. injection of LiCl, suppression of drinking generalized to IMP (or MSG), GMP, NaCl, and other sodium salts. Suppression of drinking after conditioning to NaCl generalized to MSG, IMP, GMP, and inorganic sodium salts. These learned aversions to umami substances and sodium salts were abolished by bilateral deafferentation of the chorda tympani, but were not affected by destruction of the bilateral glossopharyngeal nerves. The integrated whole-nerve responses of the chorda tympani to MSG, IMP, and NaCl were similar to each other, consisting of the initial dynamic phase and the following tonic phase. Synergism of chorda tympani responses to a mixture of MSG and IMP was not observed. Across-fiber response patterns of the chorda tympani for MSG, IMP, or their mixture were very similar to that for NaCl. Even the high concentrations of umami substances (0.3 M MSG, 0.3 M IMP, and the mixture) did not elicit any detectable responses in the glossopharyngeal nerve. These results suggest that the taste of umami substances is not unique in the hamster, but is similar to that of sodium salts, and is mediated exclusively via the chorda tympani.

Mealing and related hormone release suppress hypothalamic lesions of neonatal mice by L-glutamate

Neonatal mice, under fasting conditions, are susceptible to the development of lesions in the arcuate nucleus (AN) of the hypothalamus, with high doses of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG). Feeding of nutrients (e.g., sugars and L-amino acids) has been shown to have a protective effect against the development of these lesions. The purpose of these studies was to elucidate the mechanism of this protective effect. Histopathologic examination of lesions of the AN demonstrated that feeding of weaning mice before subcutaneous administration of toxic doses of MSG suppressed the development of these lesions, as compared to fasted controls. Similarly, the number of necrotic cells in the AN of neonates administered toxic doses of MSG subcutaneously was reduced when D-glucose and L-arginine were administered orally. Atropine obliterated the protective effect of D-glucose. Pretreatments consisting of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) + oral D-glucose had a protective effect of higher potency than GIP alone. Pretreatments with insulin, anorexigenic peptide (pyroGlu-His-Gly), cholecystokinin, glucagon, bombesin, and substance P (in decreasing order of effectiveness) demonstrated a protective effect against the AN lesion in neonates, whereas somatostatin and beta-endorphin had no effect. Results suggest that the protective effect of nutrients may in part be due to the stimulation of peptide hormone release during the postabsorptive phase. It is postulated that the effect of entero-pancreatic hormone, especially insulin, is to enhance the tolerance of AN neurons of neonatal mice to the toxic dose of L-glutamate.

Effect of water restriction on the development of hypothalamic lesions in weanling rodents given MSG. II. Drinking behaviour and physiological parameters in rats (Rattus norvegicus) and golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

No hypothalamic lesions were found in weanling Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats or in golden hamsters deprived of water and/or food overnight (ON 19.00-09.00 h) and offered monosodium L-glutamate monohydrate (MSG) in up to 10% solution for 30 min subsequently. ON restriction of water resulted in haemoconcentration, with elevation of haematocrit, plasma protein, electrolytes and osmolality in SD rats. Water-restricted rats avidly consumed large volumes of concentrated MSG solution and showed further evidence of haemoconcentration, with delayed restoration of plasma sodium and with high plasma glutamate, but did not develop lesions at up to 5.4 g MSG/kg b.w. Hamsters deprived of water ON consumed smaller volumes of MSG in aqueous solution than did SD rats, and in them no hypothalamic lesions were observed. That SD rats and golden hamsters, which are susceptible to hypothalamic lesions from the parenteral administration of high doses of MSG, did not develop lesions following the voluntary intake of MSG in aqueous solution, even under conditions of severe thirst, is further evidence of the safety of MSG as a food ingredient.