Effects of Paracetamol and Monosodium Glutamate on Cerebellar Granule Cells of the Adult Male Albino Rats: A Histological and Morphometric Study
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- Category: Vol. 82, March 2014
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Effects of Paracetamol and Monosodium Glutamate on Cerebellar Granule Cells of the Adult Male Albino Rats: A Histological and Morphometric Study, MOHAMED H. MOHAMED, HAZEM A. MOHAMED and ASHRAF H. ABD EL-HAKEM
Abstract
Background: Paracetamol (Acetaminophen, PAM) and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are widely used nowadays. PAM is used to treat mild pain and fever in most countries of the world. While MSG is ubiquitous in nature and is present in all living organisms. MSG is a principal excitatory neu-rotransmitter mainly in the central nervous system, and is used as a food additive that is commonly marketed as a flavor enhancer.
Aim of the Study: The main objective in this study was to determine the effect of chronic simultaneous administration of PAM with MSG on the cerebellar granule cells (CGc) of adult male albino rats. This would be monitored through quantitative and qualitative studies on a control group and experimental groups.
Material and Methods: In the current study, a total number of twenty three adult male albino rats were used. The animals were divided into four groups: A control group (G1) and three experimental groups. The experimental groups included: An experimental group that was given PAM and MSG (G2), an experimental group that was given MSG only (G3) and an experimental group that was given PAM only (G4). A quali-tative and quantitative methods were used to evaluate the results of the current study.
Results: In the current study, the histological examination by light and electron microscope of G2 and G3 revealed that, beside of the presence of some normal CGc, some CGc were lost and others appear pyknotic and dark. These pyknotic and dark CGc appeared shrunken with irregular outline and in-creased staining intensity, dilated perinuclear cisterna and cytoplasmic vacuolation. However, the changes were more pronounced in G2 than G3. Quantitative parameters confirmed the previous mentioned morphological changes that were observed by the light and electron microscope examination. Cerebellar weight showed a highly significant decrease in G2, a significant decrease in G3 and none significant decrease in G4 as compared with that of G1. For the CGc nuclear diameter (ND) and numerical density (NV), a highly significant decrease in G2, a significant decrease in G3 were noticed as compared with that of G1. On the other hand, none significant change in the ND nor NV of G4 was noticed as compared to that of G1. Regarding CGc axonal length (AL) of the control and the experimental animals, there was a highly significant decrease in G2, a significant decrease in G3 as compared with that of G1. A non-significant change of AL was noticed in G4 as compared to that of G1.
Conclusions and Significance: The results of the present study found out a direct potentiating action of Paracetamol for increasing the neurotoxicity of Monosodium Glutamate on the cerebellar granule cells. Therefore, it is important that Paracetamol should not be used chronically with Monosodium Glutamate.