Background: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most used food
additives that disrupt the metabolism and the functions of many organs,
including the heart, liver, brain, and others. Jojoba is a plant with high oil
content in its seeds and special antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characters
that make it convenient for medical uses as a natural plant. GLUT 4 is
useful for "deep" glucose transport during raised energy demand. Aim: To
evaluate the antioxidant activity of jojoba oil and its role against MSGinduced toxicity in rats by improving metabolic dysfunction in the brain and
heart and minimizing pathological changes. Materials and Methods:
Thirty-two male albino adult rats were assigned randomly to four equal
groups. Group I was given distilled water (control group). Group II was
given a standard diet with 2.5 percent jojoba oil added. MSG (4 g/kg)
dissolved in distilled water was given orally to group III. Group IV received
MSG (4g/kg) diluted in distilled water and was also fed a basic diet with 2.5
percent jojoba oil. After two months, blood samples were taken to measure
the expression of NFκB and GLUT4 genes, free fatty acids (FFA), troponin
I, CK-MB, cytokines, oxidative stress markers, and GABA
neurotransmitters. Histopathological study of the heart and brain tissues was
also done. Results: MSG increases NF κB expression, Troponin I, CK-MB,
FFA, TNFα, IL6, Caspase3, and MDA compared to normal control rats.
Significant depletion of Catalase, GABA neurotransmitter with
downregulation of GLUT4 gene expression was noted. Histopathological
alterations in the brain and cardiac tissues of MSG-treated rats were also
noted. In contrast, treatment with jojoba oil greatly attenuated these toxic
effects. Conclusion: Because of its antioxidant properties and ameliorating
metabolic properties, jojoba oil showed significant protection against MSGinduced cardiac and neurotoxicity.
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