Paper Title
Effect Of Sodium Glutamate Monohydrate On Angiogenesis - Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) As A Model On Early Developmental Stage
Abstract
Glutamate, an important amino acidpresent in variousdiets and normally present in the form of Sodium glutamate
monohydrate (SGM) salt and commonly known as Monosodium glutamate, a sodium salt of L-glutamic acid. It is naturally
occurring and non-essential salt and also used as the main flavour enhancers in various food products and they are associated
with Chinese restaurant syndrome. Several approaches have been taken to investigate putative receptors for SGM including
taste buds, animal behavioural studies, electrophysiological recordings, Ca2+-imaging and molecular biological experiments
using several animal models.Zebrafish, Danio rerio, provides an excellent system to study developmental biology in
investigating a wide range of compounds including food additives, flavour enhancer, neurotoxicity of drugs, environmental
chemicals. In this present study, we have used zebrafish embryos to investigate angiogenic modulating role of SGM during
development. Zebrafish embryos at 24hours post fertilization (hpf) were exposed to different concentrations of SGM 50μM
and 100μM in Hank�s embryo medium maintained at 28 � 2�C. Morphometric changes, hatching rate, survival rate and
heartbeat was monitored and document using light microscope, at 48hpf and 72hpf. Embryo growth i.e., body length was
measured using captured image with Image J software. Real-time PCR was performed for gene expression of key players in
angiogenesis: VEGF, VEGFR2, NRP1, HIF1a, Adenosine receptors (A1, A2a.1, A2a.2 and A2b), angiopoietin, Ephb4. Data
were expressed as mean � SEM. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey�s Multiple
Comparison tests using Graph Pad Prism version-6 software.SGM treated embryo showed mild to severe pericardial edema
with increased heartbeat, significant increase in hatching rate respective to 48hpf and 72hpf, compared to control. While
survival decreased significantly with time and with higher dose of 100μM at 72hpf. Increased growth of embryos were
observed with 50μMand 100μM concentration. VEGF-A, VEGFR2, NRP1, HIF1a, Adenosine receptors (A1, A2a.1, A2a.2
and A2b), angiopoietin, Ephb4 showed significantincreased gene expression. VEGF-A, VEGF R2, Adenosine receptor
showed 1.25 to 1.65-fold increase in SGM treated embryos at 72hpf with increased mortality.Result obtained commends the
involvement of SGM in modulating angiogenesis and growth during the early developmental stage,suggesting that high dose
or long term exposure in food might be toxic to offspring and disrupt endocrine function. Further experiments are needed to
test if SGM contributes in some manner to glutamate receptor signalling in angiogenesis. Dosage and time of exposure to
SGM has to be more concerned to avoid multiple disorders during human lives.
Keywords- Sodium glutamate monohydrate, zebrafish, embryo, development, angiogenesis.