Monosodium Glutamate’s Dose-Dependent Effects on  Prostate Cancer Markers and Sperm Quality

David  Unekwuojo Alfa; Elijah  Entonu Entonu; Simon  Drisu; Andrew  Jona than Nok; Humphrey  Chukwuemeka Nzelibe; Asegame  Idowu Aimola; Faruk   Mohammed; Anayochukwu  Chibuike Ngene; Oluwadare  Emmanuel Balogun

doi:10.18502/bccr.v16i4.20843

David Unekwuojo Alfa Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Elijah Entonu Entonu Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria
Simon Drisu Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Andrew Jona than Nok Africa Center of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. Nigeria
Humphrey Chukwuemeka Nzelibe Africa Center of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. Nigeria
Asegame Idowu Aimola Africa Center of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. Nigeria
Faruk Mohammed Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Nigeria
Anayochukwu Chibuike Ngene Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria
Oluwadare Emmanuel Balogun Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/bccr.v16i4.20843

Keywords: Gamma Glutamyl Transferase, Monosodium Glutamate; Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP); Prostate Cancer; Prostate Specific Antigen; Total Acid Phosphatase

Abstract

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely used flavor enhancer with controversial health effects. While high doses have been associated with oxidative stress and repro ductive toxicity, low doses may exert protective effects. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) on serum markers of prostate cancer and semen quality in male Wistar rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly grouped into six groups (n = 6 per group) and orally administered varying doses of MSG (0, 15, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. Serum total Prostate Specific Antigen (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA), Total Acid Phos phatase (TAP), Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP), and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) were measured using ELISA. Sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology were assessed from epididymal samples. Our results showed that MSG exhibited a biphasic (hormetic) response. 15 mg/kg MSG reduced TAP by -64% (p < 0.001), fPSA by -60% (p < 0.001) and tPSA by -60% (p < 0.001), GGT by -19.4% (p<0.05) while 50–100 mg/kg MSG improved semen quality, boosting sperm count by +110% and +170% (p < 0.01, p < 0.001), sperm motility by +108% and +77% (p < 0.001, p < 0.01), and viability by +7% and +16% (ns, p < 0.05), respectively. In contrast, 1000 mg/kg MSG caused severe repro ductive toxicity, with –65% sperm count, –100% motility, –23% morphology, and –37% viability (all p < 0.05). These results confirm MSG’s hormetic behavior: low doses improved prostate health and fertility, while high doses induced prostate pathology and impaired spermatogenesis. Low-dose MSG (15–100 mg/kg) demonstrated protective effects on prostate health and male fertility, while higher doses (≥ 500 mg/kg) showed potential for prostate pathology induction and reproductive toxicity. These findings suggest MSG’s dual potential as both a therapeutic candidate for prostate cancer and a model compound for inducing prostate disease in experimental settings