Purpose:
To determine whether MSG ingestion induces asthma attacks in asthmatic subjects.
Research Institution:
Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute; and the Division of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, Scripps Clinic
Scientist(s):
Katharine M. Woessner, Ronald A. Simon, Donald D. Stevenson
Results Published:
"Monosodium glutamate sensitivity in asthma," Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 1999.
Study Design*:
With single-blind, placebo-controlled screening challenges, 100 subjects with asthma (30 subjects with a history of Oriental restaurant asthma attacks; 70 subjects with a negative history) were challenged with 2.5 g of MSG.
A total of 78 patients were proved to have aspirin-sensitive asthma.
Study Results:
MSG challenges in subjects with and without a perceived sensitivity to MSG failed to induce signs or symptoms of asthma. Those who had a history of oriental asthma attacks found that their problems were not a result of MSG, but were able to identify other causes, including food allergies and heartburn caused by overeating.