THE INFLUENCE OF MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE ADMINISTRATION ON GENERATION OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AND APOPTOSIS OF BLOOD LEUKOCYTES IN RATS.

The use of food additives in food manufacturing has been a public health issue for many years. Currently, more than 3000 food additives have been approved and estimates has shown that each person may consume 3.6 to 4.5 kg of food additives per year on average. One of the most common food additives in Ukraine and in Europe is monosodium glutamate (MSG). This paper reports the effect of monosodium glutamate administration at "safe" (allowed) doses on the generation of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis in leukocyte blood suspension of rats. Experimental studies were conducted on 32 non-linear, male, white rats weighing 180-200 g. The experimental animals were administered MSG (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) at a dose of 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg body weight. Control group of animals received normal saline. We have found that consumption of MSG at low dosage was associated with development of excessive reactive oxygen species generation and apoptotic processes in blood leukocytes of rats. Therefore it is advisable not only to investigate the established dangerous doses of E621, but also to study the molecular mechanisms of the "safe" (allowed) doses of MSG effect on a living organism.