Effects of Monosodium Glutamate‐induced Obesity in Mice on Carbohydrate Metabolism in Insulin Secretion

The syndrome of obesity induced by neonatal injection of monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been further studied in mice. In confirmation of previous studies stunting and decreased pituitary and gonadal weights were observed. 2. After weaning food intake was consistently less in MSG-treated than control mice. Body lipid stores were significantly elevated in MSG-treated mice by 2 weeks of age and increased progressively up to 4 months. 3. Plasma glucose was comparable between MSG-treated and control mice in the fed state whereas after an overnight fast MSG-treated mice exhibited relative hypoglycaemia. 4. Obese MSG-treated mice did not exhibit resistance to exogenous insulin and disposed of an intravenous glucose load more rapidly than control mice. 5. Hyperinsulinaemia was present inconsistently in both fed and fasted mice and in response to administered glucose. 6. Neonatal administration of MSG provides a useful additional model for studying the role of the hypothalamus in obesity.