ABSTRACT
As energy drinks become popular and widespread, its market and degree of consumption have also expanded exponentially and concerns are being raised about the adverse health effects of these products.The objective of this study was to determine the histopathological and toxicological effects of long-term consumption of some energy drinks on some organs of wistar rats. One hundred and five adult Wistar rats of comparable weight 180- 220 grams and both sexes were divided into thirteen groups (A to M) of six rats each and five additional group of five rats each for toxicity study. Group A (Control) received feed and water only while groups (B-M) were orally administered daily by gavage, a type of the energy drink at low (1.5ml), moderate (3.0ml) and high doses (6.0ml) respectively for 12 weeks. Animals were sacrificed after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment and blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture for liver function [total (TB) and conjugated (CB) bilirubin, total protein (TP) , alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP), and albumin (ALB)] and kidney
function [plasma urea, creatine] using Landwind LWC 100 plus automated chemistry analyser and plasma electrolytes [sodium, potasium, chloride and bicarbonate] were analysed by Automated ion selective chemistry analyser (ISE). Mortality of 28% was recorded from the toxicity study after 48 hours of administration which involved two rats from group 3 and 4 and three rats from group 5, while rats in group 1 and 2 had no death record. Energy drinks were found to have median lethal dose of >2449.5mg/kg which mean the drinks will be toxic above 2500mg/kg upon oral administration in rats. According to Hodge and Sterner toxicity scale, the obtained LD50 valueof > 2500mg/kg is said to be moderately toxic. The body and organ weight of rats were not significantly affected. Animals administered with the various drinks had significant increase in glucose, urea and creatinine in all the drinks, chloride and ALP in Monster and AST in Power horse at 6.0ml of either the first but mostly the third month. On the other hand significant reduction were observed in potassium in all the drinks except Bullet at 6.0ml of the first and second month with increase at the third month. Significant reduction in albumin were also found in Bullet at 6.0ml of the second and third month and Total protein in Red bull at all doses in the third month when compared to the control. Histopathological observation of the energy drinks administered organs revealed mild to moderate histopathological changes in liver, kidney, intestine and ovary with no changes in pancreas, stomach and testis at the first and second months while the third month presented with severe pathological lesions in liver, kidney, intestine and ovary with mild changes in pancreas and no lesion noticed in stomach and testes. However the changes observed which were found to be time and dose dependedhad Monster and Power Horse administered rats being the most active in its action followed by Red bull and to less extent Bullet energy drinks. This result demonstrated that excessive consumption of energy drinks may cause histopathological and biochemical changes in liver, kidney, intestine and ovary, Therefore the need for adequate public awareness on consumption and sales regulation by appropriate body cannot be over emphasized.
