Resumo

MEERTENS, Lesbia  e  SOLANO, Liseti. Indice de masa corporal, variables bioquímicas e inmunológicas de adultos mayores institucionalizados que recibieron dieta con glutamato monosódico. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2002, vol.15, n.2, pp.105-110. ISSN 0798-0752.

Decrease of food intake and consequent malnutrition is frequent in elderly people. Some of these changes are related to diminished taste sensitivity. Among the food flavor enhancers is monosodium glutamate (MSG) is utilized to stimulate food intake, to increase energy consumption and improve nutritional status. In order to evaluate MSG effect, 54 elderly (77.3 ? 7.5 y) from a geriatric home, were evaluated. Elderly were divided in two groups: A (n=26) Food preparations administered at lunch, Monday to Friday, during 3 mo had 0.6% MSG added. B (n=28) Same food preparation were administered with no MSG addition. Body mass index, albumin, transferrin, serum zinc, total lymphocytes, and CD4, CD3 and CD8 lymphocytes at beginning and end of the study were measured. There were not significant differences for mean values of any of the variables studied. Prevalence of nutritional deficit from group A decreased (19.21% to 11.5%) from initial to final assessment. Hypoalbuminemia diminished from 65.3% to 34.6% at the end of the experimental period. Prevalence of subnormal values for lymphocyte populations diminished, reaching significant differences for CD3. Group B showed slight changes, but no significant differences. Main observed effect was on immune parameters. New studies regarding possible effects of MSG on nutritional situation of vulnerable group to malnutrition is needed. 

Palavras-chave : Monosodium gluthamate; elderly; albumin; transferrin; zinc; lymphocyte subpopulations; BMI; nutritional status.