Biochemical effects of energy drinks alone or in combination with alcohol in normal albino rats.
Study Goal
To determine the biochemical effects of energy drinks alone or in combination with alcohol on various physiological parameters in rats.
Results Summary
The study found that energy drinks alone or combined with alcohol significantly affected white blood cell count, plasma potassium, calcium, renal function, liver enzymes, and triglycerides, with alcohol combination showing stronger effects. No significant differences were observed in body weight, packed cell volume, or hemoglobin concentration.
Population
Male albino rats weighing 160-180g.
Effective Dosage
Low and high doses of energy drink (ED) and energy drink with alcohol (EDmA), exact amounts not specified.
Duration
30 days.
Interactions
Alcohol interaction noted.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
energy drink alone | increase | total white blood cell count | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #1 |
energy drink alone | increase | plasma potassium | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #2 |
energy drink alone | increase | plasma calcium | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #3 |
energy drink alone | increase | renal functions | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #4 |
energy drink alone | increase | liver enzymes | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #5 |
energy drink alone | increase | plasma triglycerides | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #6 |
energy drink alone | increase | body weight | normal albino rats | - | has higher effect on | #7 |
energy drink in combination with alcohol | increase | total white blood cell count | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #8 |
energy drink in combination with alcohol | increase | plasma potassium | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #9 |
energy drink in combination with alcohol | increase | plasma calcium | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #10 |
energy drink in combination with alcohol | increase | renal functions | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #11 |
energy drink in combination with alcohol | increase | liver enzymes | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #12 |
energy drink in combination with alcohol | increase | plasma triglycerides | normal albino rats | - | has significant effects on | #13 |
energy drink in combination with alcohol | increase | total white blood cell count, plasma potassium, calcium, renal functions, liver enzymes and plasma triglycerides | normal albino rats | - | has more effects than ED alone | #14 |
energy drink alone | no change | body weight | normal albino rats | - | no significant differences in | #15 |
energy drink alone | no change | packed cell volume | normal albino rats | - | no significant differences in | #16 |
energy drink alone | no change | haemoglobin concentration | normal albino rats | - | no significant differences in | #17 |
energy drink in combination with alcohol | no change | body weight | normal albino rats | - | no significant differences in | #18 |
energy drink in combination with alcohol | no change | packed cell volume | normal albino rats | - | no significant differences in | #19 |
energy drink in combination with alcohol | no change | haemoglobin concentration | normal albino rats | - | no significant differences in | #20 |
PURPOSE: To determine the biochemical effects of energy drink alone or in combination with alcohol in normal albino rats. METHODS: Twenty male albino rats weighing 160-180g were assigned into groups A-E of four rats per group. Group A and B rats were given low and high doses of ED, respectively, groups C and D were administered low and high doses of EDmA, respectively while group E rats were given distilled water and served as control. The treatment lasted for 30 days after which the animals were killed and their blood collected for laboratory analyses using standard methods. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in body weight, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration with either administration of ED or EDmA in comparison to the control. Energy drink alone or EDmA has significant effects on total white blood cell count, plasma potassium, calcium, renal functions, liver enzymes and plasma triglycerides, with EDmA having more effects than ED alone, except for body weight where the energy drink alone has higher effect. CONCLUSION: Consumption of energy drink alone or in combination with alcohol is associated with significant alterations in some biochemical parameters. Caution should be exercised while consuming either of them. Public health education is urgently needed to correct the wrong impression already formed by the unsuspecting consumers, especially the youths.