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Lycopene modulates cholinergic dysfunction, Bcl-2/Bax balance, and antioxidant enzymes gene transcripts in monosodium
Kadry Sadek1, Tarek Abouzed2, Sherif Nasr3
1a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Al-Buhiyra Governorate, Egypt.
Abstract:
The effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on brain tissue and the relative ability of lycopene to avert these neurotoxic effects were investigated. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were distributed into 4 groups: group I, untreated (placebo); group II, injected with MSG (5 mg·kg(-1)) s.c.; group III, gastrogavaged with lycopene (10 mg·kg(-1)) p.o.; and group IV received MSG with lycopene with the same mentioned doses for 30 days. The results showed that MSG induced elevation in lipid peroxidation marker and perturbation in the antioxidant homeostasis and increased the levels of brain and serum cholinesterase (ChE), total creatine phosphokinase (CPK), creatine phosphokinase isoenzymes BB (CPK-BB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities and gene expression were increased and glutathione content was reduced in the MSG-challenged rats, and these effects were ameliorated by lycopene. Furthermore, MSG induced apoptosis in brain tissues reflected in upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax while lycopene upregulated the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Our results indicate that lycopene appears to be highly effective in relieving the toxic effects of MSG by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and inducing modifications in the activity of cholinesterase and antioxidant pathways. Interestingly, lycopene protects brain tissue by inhibiting apoptosis signaling induced by MSG.
Insights
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) causes neurotoxicity by increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis. Lycopene effectively protects brain tissue from MSG
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used food additive.
- Concerns exist regarding potential neurotoxic effects of MSG.
- Antioxidants may offer protective benefits against neurotoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurotoxic effects of MSG on brain tissue.
- To evaluate the neuroprotective potential of lycopene against MSG-induced toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, MSG-treated, lycopene-treated, and MSG + lycopene-treated.
- Animals were treated for 30 days with specific doses of MSG and/or lycopene.
- Biochemical markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant status, enzyme activities (ChE, CPK, LDH, GST, SOD, CAT), and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2) were analyzed in brain and serum.
Main Results:
- MSG administration significantly increased lipid peroxidation, altered antioxidant homeostasis, and elevated levels of ChE, CPK, LDH, GST, SOD, and CAT.
- MSG also reduced glutathione content and induced apoptosis by upregulating Bax.
- Lycopene treatment ameliorated these MSG-induced changes, decreasing oxidative stress markers, normalizing enzyme activities, restoring glutathione levels, and upregulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2.
Conclusions:
- MSG induces significant neurotoxic effects, including oxidative stress and apoptosis.
- Lycopene demonstrates potent neuroprotective properties against MSG toxicity.
- Lycopene alleviates MSG-induced neurotoxicity by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and apoptosis signaling pathways.
