title: Modulating effect of Sustagen on plasma glutamate concentration in humans ingesting monosodium L-glutamate.
abstract: It has been suggested that monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) addition to meals would significantly increase plasma glutamate concentrations compared to values noted after ingestion of protein-bound glutamate. To test this hypothesis, plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in six normal adults ingesting a ready-to-feed liquid meal (Sustagen) containing added MSG at 0, 100, and 150 mg/kg body weight (Latin square design), and compared to plasma values noted after ingestion of 150 mg/kg body weight MSG in water. The mean (+/- SD) peak plasma glutamate concentrations after ingestion of meals providing 0, 100, and 150 mg/kg body weight MSG were 6.64 +/- 1.99, 11.2 +/- 4.89 and 10.8 +/- 3.10 mumol/dl, respectively. Erythrocyte glutamate concentrations were unchanged after each meal. Peak plasma glutamate concentrations after ingestion of meals with added MSG were similar to those noted in normal adults ingesting a similar quantity of protein-bound glutamate. In contrast, ingestion of MSG in water (150 mg/kg body weight) markedly increased the mean (+/- SD) peak plasma glutamate concentration to 71.8 +/- 35.7 mumol/dl. Similarly, the area under the plasma glutamate concentration-time-curve was significantly higher. MSG ingestion with meals results in lower plasma glutamate concentrations than ingestion of equivalent doses in water.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D005971:Glutamates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012970:Sodium Glutamate / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D005971:Glutamates; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D012970:Sodium Glutamate