Evidence mapPaperPMID 41249849Full record

ArticleInternational journal of obesity (2005)2026

Maternal monosodium glutamate exposure disrupts leptin and insulin signaling in the hypothalamus, activating NF-κB and mTOR inflammatory pathways, contributing to metabolic dysfunction in male offspring.

Alshehri Hanan Hassan, Eman Mohamad El Nashar, Norah Saeed Al-Zahrani, Hind Zafrah, Hanan M A El Henafy

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Article in International journal of obesity (2005), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 authors.

Alshehri Hanan HassanEndocrinology and diabetes section, Internal Medicine Department, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0001-8931-3545
Eman Mohamad El NasharDepartment of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. enshar@kku.edu.sa.ORCID 0000-0002-2883-6761
Norah Saeed Al-ZahraniDepartment of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Hind ZafrahDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0009-0002-6987-6222
Hanan M A El HenafyTechnology of Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Technology of Applied Health Sciences, October 6 University, Giza, Egypt. Hanan.Mohammed.AMS@o6u.edu.eg.ORCID 0000-0003-0838-016X

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6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMaternal nutrition during critical developmental windows is increasingly recognised as a key determinant of offspring health, a concept central to the developmental origins of health and disease paradigm. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a common food additive and neuroendocrine stimulant, warrants investigation in this context.

methodsThe impact of maternal MSG exposure (120 mg/kg) during gestation and/or lactation on metabolic programming in first-generation male rat offspring. Metabolic, hormonal, and molecular parameters in pups following maternal MSG administration, body weight, food intake, adiposity, glucose homeostasis (insulin sensitivity and resistance), lipid profiles, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory mediators were measured. Furthermore, we analyzed microRNA expression profiles in relevant tissues.

resultsMaternal MSG exposure resulted in significant metabolic perturbations in offspring. Key findings included a reduced survival index, impaired glucose homeostasis (manifesting as decreased insulin sensitivity and increased insulin resistance), increased body weight, and elevated adiposity. We observed elevated oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, altered lipid peroxidation, and hormonal imbalances. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed altered expression of metabolic and inflammatory genes in both adipocytes and the hypothalamus. MicroRNA expression analysis identified significant alterations in miR-27a, miR-34a, miR-335, and miR-30a, suggesting potential regulatory roles in adipogenesis and metabolic control.

conclusionsMaternal MSG exposure during gestation and lactation induces profound and adverse metabolic effects in male offspring. The observed alterations in metabolic indices suggest an increased risk of metabolic disease later in life. This study underscores the critical importance of maternal nutrition during sensitive developmental periods and has implications for public health recommendations and nutritional guidelines (Graphical abstract).

Indexed as

HypothalamusInsulinLeptinPrenatal Exposure Delayed EffectsSodium GlutamateAnimalsFemaleInflammationInsulin ResistanceMaleMaternal Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaNF-kappa BOxidative StressPregnancyRatsSignal TransductionInsulinLeptinmTOR protein, ratNF-kappa BSodium GlutamateTOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.