1987 Volume 15 Issue 5 Pages 1149-1151
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the morphological changes of the aorta in monosodium-lglutamate (MSG)-treated rats by light and electron microscopy. Thirty seven male MSG rats and thirty one male Wistar rats were used. The animals were sacrificed at the ages of 6, 11, 22, and 56 weeks. The blood pressure of the MSG rats was negatively correlated to the Lee index, and they showed an average 11 to 26 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure than the Wistar rats. Wall thickness, outer diameter, and cross-sectional area were significantly smaller in MSG rats than in Wistar rats at all ages. However, there was no specific trend in media/radius ratio. The incidence of edematous intimal thickening and the volume percent of . medial extracellular matrix were much lower in MSG rats. It is concluded that MSG obese rats have lower blood pressure and less atherosclerotic aorta than Wistar rats.
