Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ketogenic diet (KGD) is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat and average protein
dietary formulation, which has been reported with the ability to ameliorate several metabolic diseases, especially those
under the direct influence of hormonal disruptions. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) had been found to induce uterine
fibroids in laboratory animals through alterations to hormones, lipids and oxidative state. The present study was
conducted to evaluate the effect of KGD on MSG-induced uterine fibroid.
METHODS: In this experimental study twenty-four female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six. Control
group received distilled water while the remaining groups were given 300 mg/kg body weight of MSG once a day for 28
days. Thereafter, the three groups of MSG, MSG + keto group 1 and MSG + keto group 2 received standard rat chow,
cabbage-based ketogenic diet and coconut-based ketogenic diet, respectively for 42 days. Estrogen, Follicle Stimulating
Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT),
and Total Cholesterol (TC) were determined in the blood of animals using standard methods and induction of fibroids
was confirmed in the uterus by histomorphological measurements.
FINDINGS: Significant elevations (p<0.05) were observed in the levels of estrogen (1.80±0.09 &1.27±0.12), LH
(1.04±0.04 & 0.39±0.01), FSH (1.51±0.04 & 0.65±0.03), TC and MDA in the MSG group compared to control. There
were significant decreases (p<0.05) in the activities of CAT and SOD enzymes in the MSG group compared to control.
Histological analysis confirmed significant reduction (p<0.05) in leiomyomas of the dietary treatment groups compared
to that of MSG.
CONCLUSION: The study suggests that cabbage- and coconut-based KGD may control the occurrence and progression
of fibroids through reduction of oxidative damage and amelioration of hormonal imbalance induced by MSG.
