Monosodium glutamate has no cytotoxic effect on mouse mesenchymal stem cells

SUMMARY Aim/Backround: Monosodium glutamate as a food additive is a substance added to food to preserve flavor or enhance its taste and appearance. Monosodium glutamate is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally-occurring non-essential amino acids. U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported that monosodium glutamate is safe for use in food. However, the excessive use of monosodium glutamate causes dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Due to reports, it causes obesity. We aimed to find out the cytotoxiciy of monosodium glutamate and the role on the selected genes, which have role on obesity. Methods: In our study, we used mice which are known to be the most sensitive in terms of toxicity. We were studied the cytotoxic effects of monosodium glutamate on mouse mesenchymal stem cells at monosodium glutamate doses below. Also we analyzed leptin-lep and ghrelin / obestatin in prepropeptide-GHRL gene expressions in order to find out the role of monosodium glutamate in obesity.  Result: Monosodium glutamate below the toxic dose does not have a cytotoxic effect on mouse mesenchymal stem cells.  Also no expression change observed in genes which are known to be associated with obesity. Conclusion: Our results support that monosodium glutamate has no toxic effect on stem cells in uses in certain doses. Key words: Monosodium glutamate, mouse mesenchymal stem cells, leptin gene, ghrelin/obestatin prepropeptide gene. Running Title: MSG has no ctotoxicity