Histological Effects of Caffeinated Energy Drink Consumption and Its Withdrawal on Kidneys of Experimental Rats

Abstract

Objective: The present research was carried out to observe withdrawal effects of energy drinks, whether thesehistomorphological changes are reversible or not. Study Design: Laboratory based experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out from 1 July to 30 August 2019 at national institute of health Islamabad. Materials and Methods: Total thirty adult male albino rats were divided into 3 groups by simple random sampling, with ten rats in each group. Group I was control group, while energy drink group II received 3.57ml/kg body weight red bull corresponding to one can of energy drink (250ml) in humans orally for eight weeks. Rats in withdrawal group III received energy drink for first four weeks followed by normal diet and water for last four weeks. After eight weeks, rats were sacrificed and their right kidneys were removed. Slides were prepared using hematoxylin eosin and Periodic Acid Schiff Stain, results were analyzed by SPSS. Results: The results showed that use of energy drink for 8 weeks resulted in increase in weight of kidneys along with histological alterations in renal cortex of rat kidneys. Grade 4 (severe) congestion, hemorrhage, loss of brush border and necrosis was observed in energy drink group II. Withdrawal of energy drink in group III resulted in weight of kidneys near to control group along with significant reduction in congestion, hemorrhage,loss of brush border and necrosis grades from grade 4 to grade 3 and 2 with P≤0.05. Conclusion: Caffeinated energy drinks are having damaging effects on kidneys of albino rats and these histological changes caused by caffeinated energy drinks in this duration of study and in low doses corresponding to one can of energy drink (250ml) in humans are reversible.

Keywords

• caffeinated, energy drink, histological, kidneys, withdrawal.