LAUSR

OBJECTIVE The aim: Investigation of ultrastructural changes in the elements of rats' duodenal mucosa in norm and exposed to a complex of food additives (monosodium glutamate, sodium nitrite and Ponceau 4R). PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and methods: 70 rats of the experimental groups was administered 0.6 mg/kg of sodium nitrite, monosodium glutamate at a dose of 20 mg/kg, Ponceau 4R at a dose of 5 mg/kg in 0.5 ml of distilled water once daily per os. The doses of food additives were twice lower the allowable normal rate in food products. Animals were removed from the experiment at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks. RESULTS Results: The effect of the complex of food additives on the mucous membrane of the duodenum was manifested by the development of edema and increased local immune response. In the later stages of observation, dystrophic changes in epithelial cells were determined. Vacuoles were found in the cytoplasm. CONCLUSION Conclusions: The use of a complex of food additives led to general ultramicroscopic changes in the mucous membrane of rats' duodenum, triggering the morphological mechanisms of nonspecific inflammation in the form of dystrophic changes and the development of apoptosis.