The objective of this study was to describe the effects of monosodium glutamate on the collagen of the parotid gland in an obesity model. 18 newborn male Sprague Dawley rats were used (first control group; second group of MSG1: 4 mg/g of monosodium glutamate weight, 5 doses, and third group of MSG2: 4 mg/g of monosodium glutamate, 5 doses, maintained for 8 and 16 weeks respectively). The content and type of collagen were analyzed, in addition to the levels of cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides and uric acid. Monosodium glutamate produced an increase in the obesity rates of the MSG2 group, in addition to an increase in blood cholesterol, glucose and uric acid levels compared to the control group. Type III collagen in the MSG2 group showed a statistically significant increase. Monosodium glutamate induced obesity, in addition to an increase in type III collagen fibers.
KEY WORDS: Collagen; Monosodium glutamate; Obesity, Salivary glands.
