Monosodium glutamate (MSG) intake is associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a rural Thai population.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiology and animal models suggest that dietary monosodium glutamate (MSG) may contribute to the onset of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Families (n = 324) from a rural area of Thailand were selected and provided MSG as the sole source for the use in meal preparation for 10 days. Three hundred forty-nine subjects aged 35-55 years completed the study and were evaluated for energy and nutrient intake, physical activity, and tobacco smoking. The prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR >3), and the metabolic syndrome (ATP III criteria) were evaluated according to the daily MSG intake. RESULTS: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in the tertile with the highest MSG intake. Further, every 1 g increase in MSG intake significantly increased the risk of having the metabolic syndrome (odds ratio 1.14, 95% confidence interval-CI- 1.12 - 1.28) or being overweight (odds ratio 1.16, 95% CI 1.04 - 1.29), independent of the total energy intake and the level of physical activity. CONCLUSION: Higher amounts of individual MSG consumption are associated with the risk of having the metabolic syndrome and being overweight independent of other major determinants.

Clinical value of biliary alkaline phosphatase in non-jaundiced cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: Measurement of the activities of alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme has been used for the identification and monitoring of diseases associated with the isoenzyme. Biliary alkaline phosphatase (BALP), an isoform of liver-ALP, has been found in the serum of patients with biliary obstruction and metastatic liver cancer. This study compared the BALP isoform in the serum of patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) with that of non-jaundiced benign hepatobiliary disease, other cancers, and healthy persons. METHODS: ALP isoforms were separated using cellulose acetate electrophoresis and the activity was demonstrated using indolyl blue reagent. RESULTS: The BALP isoform was demonstrated in 65% of CCA patients independently of jaundice condition or histological grading of the tumor. The level of serum BALP in non-jaundiced CCA was significantly lower than that of jaundiced CCA, and not correlated with serum bilirubin. No BALP was detected in healthy persons. In the patients with high serum ALP (> 147U/l), BALP can differentiate non-jaundiced CCA patients from other non-jaundiced carcinoma patients with 85% sensitivity, 79% specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 81% and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The demonstration of serum BALP, in particular in non-jaundiced patients with high serum ALP, may indicate the presence of tumor in the bile duct.