Protective Effects of Dietary Supplement Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) against Toxically Impacts of Monosodium Glutamate in Blood and Behavior of Swiss mouse

Abstract

(1) Background: Well-known monosodium glutamate (E-621, MSG), originally used as a food flavor enhancer, was approved approximately in all countries, but the toxicity versus the safety of (MSG) are still unclear due to variable scientific toxicological reports. Moreover, it was reported to trigger elevated frequencies of nausea and headaches in humans and provide deleterious effects on laboratory animals. The objectives of the present study were to (i) estimate the possible toxic effects of the food additive MSG (ii) and the ameliorating protective effects of the dietary supplement spirulina (Spirulina platensis) on the biochemical parameters of blood and the damage produced in organs of Swiss mice after applying a supplementary daily dose of MSG for 4 weeks. (2) Methods: The present study was conducted on 20 mature Swiss mice, which were randomly organized into four groups of five Swiss mice. The treatments were (I) the control group, in which Swiss mice were fed only animal feed and drinking water; group II MSG1, which received 1 mL of MSG; group III MSG0.5, which was treated with 0.5 mL of MSG; and (IV) the group MSGS, which was treated with 1 mL of monosodium glutamate and 1 mL of spirulina (aiming to reduce the MSG toxicity). (3) Results: At the end of the experiment, Swiss mice treated with MSG demonstrated a passiveness regarding behavioral aspects. As we hypothesized, the parameters of the spirulina group reached similar values to the control group, and no histopathological observations have been found. Altogether, our findings evidenced that monosodium glutamate leads to histopathological changes in Swiss mice kidneys and caused important modifications for all biochemical parameters of the blood serum. Noticeably, the potential protective effect of Spirulina platensis was proved and was described by using the FTIR spectroscopy technique. (4) Conclusions: A diet rich in antioxidants and other plant-derived bioactive compounds may provide healthy nutrition, alleviating the potential side effects of some food additives.

Effects of Infrared and Microwave Radiation on the Bioactive Compounds of Microalga Spirulina platensis after Continuous and Intermittent Drying

“…Figure 2 shows images of fresh spirulina and spirulina dried with infrared radiation, which were obtained using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The fresh spirulina ( Figure 2 a) presented a series of filamentous structures (called trichomes), composed by cells in an elongated spiral form that is responsible for the nomenclature of this microalgae genus [ 5 , 6 , 30 ]. In all the samples dried using infrared radiation ( Figure 2 b–e), it was possible to observe that the moisture removal process significantly changed the material structure, which became more concise and uniform, due the fusion and agglomeration of the trichomes during drying.…”

Oral Palatability and Owners’ Perception of the Effect of Increasing Amounts of Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) in the Diet of a Cohort of Healthy Dogs and Cats

“…However, in the open-ended question of the final survey, some owners reported that their cats seemed more active and playful during this study period. A recent study that evaluated the protective effect of dietary Spirulina supplementation against the impacts of monosodium glutamate in blood and behavior of Swiss mice showed that those belonging to the group supplemented with spirulina were more active compared to the control group [ 64 ]. Another study conducted on rats suggested that Spirulina may reduce anxiety and anhedonic behavior and ameliorate cognitive dysfunction [ 65 ].…”

Potential Defence Mechanisms Triggered by Monosodium Glutamate Sub-Chronic Consumption in Two-Year-Old Wistar Rats

“…The reported side effects of MSG included (but were not limited to) hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, reproductive system toxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity [25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. It has been demonstrated that administration of MSG resulted in histological alterations and impairment in biochemical and metabolic markers such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total or direct bilirubin [32,33], cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine [34] and urea [35].…”