OXIDATIVE STRESS AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF LENS TISSUE IN MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE-INDUCED DIABETIC MALE ALBINO RATS
AYODEJI EZEKIEL IGE¹, OLUWASOLA MICHAEL OJO¹, SULIAT OPEYEMI ASIRU¹, JOY ADEBOLA ADENIGBA¹
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 17(3): 277-284 ; 2025
ABSTRACT
Monosodium glutamate is used as a food seasoning in different food cuisines. Unregulated consumption of MSG can lead to the production of oxidative stress, which can negatively influence ocular changes, such as cataracts. This study assessed the level of oxidative stress biomarkers and histopathological changes in MSG-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Ten male Wistar rats were randomly selected into two groups. It includes the control group (0.5 5ml distilled water) and the experimental group (750 mg/kg bodyweight MSG) administered orally daily for 28 days. The body weight and blood sugar level were measured weekly. The level of oxidative biomarkers was evaluated, which includes the Glutathione, Catalase (CAT), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Total protein content. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained lenses were examined for histopathological changes. Data were analysed using paired t-tests (p<0.05). The MSG-treated group showed an increase in body weight and the blood glucose level by week 4 as compared to the control group. The lens tissue showed elevated levels of GSH & MDA, decreased CAT activity, lower total protein content and reduced SOD activity. No structural damage was observed with the Histopathological analysis. MSG-induced diabetic lens revealed elevated levels of oxidative biomarkers, which can be detrimental to ocular health. Normal histopathological changes suggest that structural damage requires prolonged hyperglycemia. The findings imply the need for regulated MSG consumption among populations prone to diabetic and ocular diseases.
Keywords:Cataract, Monosodium glutamate, Oxidative stress, Diabetesy
Email of correspondence: ige.ae@unilorin.edu.ng;
https://doi.org/10.59493/ajopred/2025.3.4 ISSN: 0794-800X (print); 1596-2431 (online)