Effect of Consumption of Caffeinated Energy Drinks on the Myocardium and the Aorta of the Adult Male Albino Rat (A Histological and Morphometric study)

Abstract

In recent years, the definition of high-energy drinks has not been well established. However, caffeine is one of the most respected high-energy drink ingredients. It comes alone or in combination with other ingredients providing enhancement in physical and/or mental performances. Uncontrolled consumption of high-energy drinks, especially in patients with underlying heart disease, could provoke potentially lethal cardiovascular events as well as acute aortic dissection. The present work studied the histological changes of the left ventricular myocarduim and the ascending aorta of adult male albino rats associated with the consumption of Red Bull as an example of energy drinks. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into two groups with ten rats each. Group I (control group) consisted of ten rats and had free access to food (rat chew) and water daily for 4 weeks. Group II (experimental group) consisted of ten rats that were given 3.75 ml/kg body weight Red Bull through oral gavage daily for 4 weeks with free access to food (rat chew) and water.