Histomorphometric study on effects of monosodium glutamate in liver tissue of Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVES: Thousands of food additives are being used by the food industries in ready to eat packed food. These food additives act as either preservatives or enhancers of palatability. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a sodium salt of glutamic acid is a widely used food additive for enhancing taste. It gives the unique taste to the food called "Umami" or "Savory taste", which is different from four primary tastes namely, sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. The current experimental study was investigated by dose-related effects of MSG on adult Wistar rats using histological and histomorphometric techniques. METHODS: Twenty-eight adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups i.e.; one control and three experimental groups. Rats were administered orally with different doses of MSG to the experimental groups and distilled water to the control groups consecutively for 45 days. At the end of the study, rats were sacrificed and tissues were collected for the examination. RESULTS: Histomorphometric data of the nuclei diameter of hepatocytes showed significant variation between control and experimental groups. Less PAS-positive material found in a higher dose of MSG-induced rats in histochemical observation. CONCLUSIONS: One of the challenges of the problem of animal experimental studies is the application of results to human dietary intake of MSG. Based on the dose-dependent findings of the current study; it is evident that the administration of MSG is hepatotoxic in adult Wistar rats.

Effect of pranayama and suryanamaskar on pulmonary functions in medical students.

BACKGROUND: Pranayama improved lung functions in numerous studies. Yoga involve isometric contraction and improves skeletal muscle strength. Yoga training improves the strength of expiratory as well as inspiratory muscles. AIM: The present study is planned to find the effect of pranayama on pulmonary functions in medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is conducted on 50 students doing lst year M.B.B.S. Consent form has been taken from them. They have been given yoga training 30 min daily for 2 mnth under the guidance of a trained yoga instructor. Vital capacity (VC), Tidal volume (TV), Expiratory Reserve volume (ERV), Breath holding time (BHT), 40 mm endurance, Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) are measured before & after yoga training. RESULTS: VC has increased from 2972 ± 213.151 to 3372 ± 528.7722. TV has increased from 496 ± 84.06347 to 588 ± 150.8863. ERV also shows increase in values from 888 ± 183.303 to 1096 ± 386.7385. BHT also shows increase in values from 33 ± 5.773503 to 58.6 ± 12.78019. 40 mm endurance also shows increase in values from 30.8 ± 5.139715 to 53.52 ± 15.68736. PEFR also shows increase in value from 388.8 ± 15.36229 to 425.2 ± 38.74274. CONCLUSION: There is a statistically significant increase in all the above mentioned pulmonary functions following yoga training. Yoga practice can be advocated to improve pulmonary functions in healthy individuals and hence to prevent respiratory diseases in future.