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Vasospasm contributes to monosodium glutamate-induced headache
1Department of Pharmacology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk 23507.
Headache
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) directly affects arterial contractility, causing contractions and influencing vascular tone. High MSG consumption may pose health risks for individuals with vascular conditions.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) consumption is anecdotally linked to headaches in sensitive individuals.
- The direct impact of glutamate on peripheral vascular function remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct effects of glutamate and its metabolite, glutamine, on arterial contractility.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying glutamate-induced vascular responses.
Main Methods:
- Isolated rabbit aortic rings were used to assess arterial contractility.
- Concentration-response curves were generated for glutamate and glutamine.
- The influence of various receptor agonists/antagonists and channel blockers was examined.
Main Results:
- Glutamate induced concentration-dependent contractions in aortic rings, independent of extracellular calcium, endothelium, or neuronal function.
- Glutamate and glutamine demonstrated concentration-dependent relaxation of contractions induced by norepinephrine, phenylephrine, histamine, serotonin, and prostaglandin F2α.
- Kainic acid potentiated glutamate-induced vasoconstriction, while ketamine inhibited it.
Conclusions:
- Glutamate exerts a direct effect on peripheral arterial tone.
- Dietary intake of large quantities of MSG could pose a health risk to individuals with pre-existing vascular disease.