Monosodium glutamate-induced asthma: study of the potential risk of 30 asthmatics and review of the literature.
Monosodium glutamate is a physiological nutrient, and food additive used as a taste enhancer. Several cases of intolerance to MSG in patients with asthma and with a Chinese Restaurant Syndrome have been published. A high dose of 2.5 g was tested in 6 healthy controls and 30 asthmatics (7: allergic asthma; 15: intrinsic asthma with intolerance to aspirin; 8: intrinsic asthma with aspirin intolerance, intolerance to alcohol or to food additives). Two patients presented with a mild bronchospasm, occurring 6 to 10 hours after the ingestion. Different mechanisms are discussed. A cholinergic mechanism might be incriminated, either due to stimulation of the synthesis of acetylcholine, or due to a vagal reflex elicited by a reflux esophagitis. However, a high vagal hyperreactivity seems to be needed for the occurrence of asthma. It is concluded that a very small subset of patients with intrinsic asthma might present with an intolerance to MSG if high doses are consumed.
Moneret-Vautrin
D A
DA
Médecine D, Immunologie Clinique et Allergologie, CHU Brabois, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005503:Food Additives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005971:Glutamates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012970:Sodium Glutamate / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000485:Allergens; D005503:Food Additives; D005971:Glutamates; D000431:Ethanol; D001241:Aspirin; D012970:Sodium Glutamate