Effects of monosodium glutamate on apoptosis of germ cells in testicular tissue of adult rat: An experimental study

Background: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used as a flavoring and food seasoning.Some studies have reported the oxidative effects of using this substance on varioustissues.Objective: This study has investigated the effects of MSG and the protective effect ofvitamin C (vit C) on apoptosis of testicular germ cells and biochemical factors.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult male Wistar rats wererandomly divided into four groups: control (received distilled water), vit C group (150mg/kg), experimental group 1 (MSG 3 gr/kg), experimental group 2 (MSG 3 gr/kg + vitC 150 mg/kg). The rats were gavaged for 30 days, and then were sacrificed, the righttestis was isolated for biochemical examinations for the glutathione, malondialdehyde,and left testis used in histological experiments. Tunnel staining was used to determinethe number of apoptotic cells.Results: The results showed that apoptotic cells in the MSG group had a significantincrease compared to the control group (P = 0.001), but the number of these cells inthe MSG co-administered with vit C and vit C groups were significantly lower than theMSG group. Germinal epithelial thickness also decreased in MSG group compared tothe control group.Conclusion: MSG can lead to increase apoptotic changes in the germinal epithelial ofthe testicle, and vit C as an antioxidant can modify the pathological and biochemicalchanges induced by MSG.