Multifaceted Impacts of Monosodium Glutamate on Testicular Health: Insights into Pyroptosis and Therapeutic Potential of Resveratrol.

Background: Monosodium glutamate was considered one of the food additive and flavor enhancer in processed meat and soup that affects testicular tissues, the aim of this research to investigates the impact of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on testicular structure in rats and explores the potential protective effects of resveratrol.

Material and methods: Four experimental groups involved in our study 10 rats of each.: the first group as control group; the second group (Resveratrol group: control rats received 20 mg/kg of resveratrol, via oral gavage); the third group (MSG group: rats received monosodium glutamate (MSG) with a dose 60 mg/kg body weight daily, via gastric tube, and the fourth group (MSG+ Resveratrol group). Serum level of testosterone, FSH, LH, were measured. Testicular tissues were prepared for measurement of oxidative stress markers, and gene expression of NLRP3, Caspase 3, and GSK-3β. Moreover, paraffin blocks contained testicular tissue used for histological and immunohistochemical examination. Additionally, seminal smear from epididymis were examined.

Results: MSG administration adversely affected testosterone production, hormonal levels, and sperm parameters, Histological examination revealed marked testicular degeneration, and oxidative stress assessments indicated elevated level of MDA a lipid peroxidation marker and decrease in SOD, CAT antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, MSG-induced apoptotic and pyroptotic markers and its gene expressions. Importantly. Administration of resveratrol reversed the detrimental effects of MSG, demonstrating its corrective influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis disruption, improvement of sperm parameters, attenuation of oxidative stress, anti-apoptotic activity, and anti-pyroptotic effects. The expression of Ki-67 as a cell proliferation marker further supported the positive response to spermatogenesis dysfunction upon resveratrol treatment.

Conclusions: This comprehensive exploration sheds light on the protective effect of resveratrol against MSG-induced testicular with exploration of its mechanistic role.