THE purpose of the current study was to investigate the possibility of vitamin (Vit.) C and
E in protecting rat epididymis from MSG-induced histological changes. Twenty-five adult
male albino rats divided into five groups (n=5): control, MSG; MSG+Vit.C.; MSG+Vit.E. and
MSG +Vit. C+Vit. E. This treatment lasted for forty days. The histological examinations include
use of H&E stain and Masson trichrome and histochemical (Periodic Acid Schiff reaction
(PAS)). The present results showed that, all groups’ B.W. after treatment was significantly
higher than that before treatment. However, after treatment, MSG, and MSG+Vit. E caused
a high significant decrease in B.W., respectively. There were no appreciable variations in the
epididymis weight between the groups MSG+Vit. E and MSG+Vit. C+Vit. E. Histological
investigations, indicated none of the treated groups significantly altered the bulk of the
epididymis tissues, except for some histological alteration; however, the MSG+Vit.C+Vit.E
group showed few effects. These alterations include blood vessel congestion, inflammatory cell
infiltration, giant cell formation, expansion of interstitial spaces, hyperplasia and vacuolation of
epithelial tubule lining, and hydropic degeneration. MSG show marked deposition of collagen
fibers in the capsule, epididymal tubules, interstitial space and basal lamina. While remaining
groups indicated the presence of the moderate amount of collagen fibers. Basal lamina and
interstitial cells in groups of the MSG; MSG+Vit.C. and MSG+Vit.E. ; exhibited a strong PAS
response. Whereas, the MSG+ Vit.C+ Vit.E group had moderate PAS reaction. In conclusion,
combining Vit. C and Vit. E with MSG may lessen its toxicity. It is imperative to reevaluate the
use of MSG as a flavor enhancer
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