High Caffeine- Containing Energy Drink- Induced Metabolic Stress in Rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to comparatively assess the potentiating effects of majorly consumed brands of energy drinks (red bull, power horse and bullet) on several metabolic stress indicators. The study comprised four groups. Group I which served as control had normal feed and water only, group II-IV was given normal feed and 0.8ml/Kg body weight of Red Bull, Bullet and Power Horse energy
drinks respectively for 42 days. Animals were sacrificed on the 43 rd day following an overnight fast and samples collected for tissue and plasma assay of biochemical markers. There was significant rise (p<0.05) in plasma and tissue ALT, AST, plasma ALP activities in rats administered all three brands of energy drinks, while plasma creatinine and urea only increased in rats that consumed Power Horse compared to controls. Changes in tissue (brain, kidney, heart and liver) lipid peroxidation indicates significant (p<0.05) increase relative to controls. Tissue oxidative enzymes (AO and SO) were significantly increased and depleted respectively compared to controls. The uncontrolled consumption of energy drinks is overtly unsafe as it has the capability of inducing metabolic stress via the
induction and depletion of several tissue and plasma metabolic stress markers.