Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Cerebellar Toxicity; Possible Role of Nitric Oxide in Adult Albino Rats (original) (raw)
Background: Several studies indicated that monosodium glutamate (MSG) disrupts the metabolism, the development, and the functions of various organs, such as liver, thymus, ovaries, kidney, and many parts of brain, including cerebellum. Nitric Oxide (NO) is known to be responsible for the organization of many biological events in the mammalian body as a second messenger and a neural messenger. Some studies found that NO is a neuroprotective substance while others qualify it as a neurotoxic. Aim: This study was designed to investigate the effect of non-selective inhibition of nitric oxide synthase enzyme isoforms on cerebellar structure and function in normal rats and in rats with MSG-induced cerebellar toxicity. Material and methods: The study groups included thirty two male adult albino Sprague-Dawley rats which were divided into four groups; group I (control), group II (LNAME-treated), group III (MSG-treated) and group IV (combined LNAME and MSG-treated). Motor coordination was assessed by rotarod test. Cerebellar nitrite concentration was measured. Histopathological evaluation of cerebellar structure and immunohistochemical examination for caspase-3 were done. Results: Both LNAME and MSG significantly impaired cerebellar function and resulted in marked cerebellar injury and an increase in apoptosis. This effect was most prominent in group III. Conclusion: Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase enzyme disturbed cerebellar structure and function in normal rats and potentiated MSG-induced cerebellar toxicity. Further studies are required for better understanding of the role of the NO pathway and developing therapeutic strategies that are based on manipulation of NO synthesis. [Heba Youssef M. Sayed, Dalia M. Abd-Elhalim, Mona A Hussain and Horeya E Korayem. Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Cerebellar Toxicity; Possible Role of Nitric Oxide in Adult Albino Rats. J Am Sci 2016;12(1):123-131]. ISSN 1545-1003 (print); ISSN 2375-7264 (online). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 15.
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