Effect of monosodium glutamate on the histogenesis of bone marrow in mice.

The effect of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the histogenesis of bone and bone marrow of mice is studied. Intraperitoneal-subcutaneous injections and oral administration of the drug MSG induced marked repression in the ossification of developing endochondral bone with the persistence of cartilagenous elements and chondrocytes. A massive accumulation of adipose tissue accompanied by receded haemopoietic tissue within the bone marrow is observed in the MSG-treated animals. These pathological changes are attributed to the influence of the drug on the hydrolysis of enzyme alkaline phosphatase, glycolysis involved in the bone deposition or on the secretion of hormones responsible for bone resorption.