WHY MSG FED MICE WEIGH LESS?

MSG (mono sodium glutamate) is a known obesogen that is used to make mice fat for obesity experiments. However, more than one research in literature had reported less body weights of MSG fed mice, when compared with controls.

This fact has been led to some confusions. Yet, the term 'body weight' is not synonymous to 'obesity'. The real cause behind this issue is increased growth hormone (GH) secretion associated with MSG administration. Influence of GH is exerted by reduction of body weight as well as by shinkage of each body organ. However, drastic changes in fat metabolism occur, leading to brown fat reduction, accelerated visceral and subcutaneous fat deposition. In addition, hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, hypercorticosteroidemia, insulin resistance and decreased activity of pancreatic glucose transporter protein (GLUT-4) also happen.

It is needless to say, that these effects ultimately result in metabolic syndrome which is characteristically featured by obesity, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia.