Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
2
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
10.32598/ijvm.20.3.1005725
Abstract
Background: Energy drinks (EDs) are widely used non-alcoholic beverages across the globe. Because energy drinks contain a lot of caffeine, they stimulate the heart and central nervous system.
Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the possible toxic impacts of the EDs on the heart and kidneys in Wister rats.
Methods: Eighteen healthy female albino rats were randomly assigned into three groups (6 rats per group). Low- and high-dose groups received oral ED at 5 and 10 mL/kg body weight/day, respectively, for 4 weeks, while distilled water was given to the control groups. Uric acid, creatinine, urea, creatine kinase, and creatine kinase-MB were measured using the colorimetric method. Moreover, DNA degradation was measured using a comet assay. Inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Finally, heart and kidney tissues were examined for histopathological alterations.
Results: There were significant increases in creatine kinase, CK-MB, creatinine, uric acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), and interleukin-6 compared with the control group. In contrast, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) were considerably decreased in both heart and kidney tissues in both ED-treated groups relative to controls. Additionally, there was a considerable increase in DNA damage in both the low- and high-dose groups compared with the control group. Finally, ED induced histopathological changes in kidney and heart tissues, including pyknosis, inflammation, and injury to cardiac muscle fibers.
Conclusion: Cardiac and renal damage were noticeably produced in rats orally exposed to ED. Therefore, we recommend reducing its use and studying its long-term effects.
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