Abstract
ABSTRACT. This study tested the hypothesis that infants metabolize glutamate more slowly than adults. Eight 1-yr-old infants ingested 160 ml of a beef consomme providing monosodium L-glutamate at 0, 25, and 50 mg/kg body weight. Plasma glutamate and aspartate concentrations were measured sequentially for the next 2 h. The results were compared to values noted in nine adult subjects ingesting equivalent doses of monosodium L-glutamate in consomme. In adults, mean (± SD) peak plasma glutamate concentrations were 5.59 ± 1.56, 10.2 ± 2.08, and 17.0 ± 8.06 µmol/dl, respectively; the area under the plasma glutamate concentration time curves were 96 ± 42, 257 ± 80, and 442 ± 303 µmol/dl x min, respectively. In infants, the mean (±SD) peak plasma glutamate concentrations were 6.94 ± 1.43,10.6 ± 2.36, and 12.0 ± 1.16 µmol/dl, respectively; the plasma glutamate area under the curve values were 47 ± 28, 191 ± 85, and 358 ± 105 µmol/dl x min, respectively. The data indicate that the plasma glutamate concentration response in 1-yr-old infants ingesting MSG at these glutamate doses is no higher than values observed in adult subjects.
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Stegink, L., Filer, L., Baker, G. et al. Plasma Glutamate Concentrations in 1-Year-Old Infants and Adults Ingesting Monosodium L-Glutamate in Consommé. Pediatr Res 20, 53–58 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198601000-00014
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198601000-00014