Effects of energy drink and alcohol on some clinical and oxidative stress parameters in rats

The effects of energy drink and alcohol on some clinical and oxidative stress parameters was investigated using albino rats. Twenty eight rats were distributed into four groups of six rats each. Group 1 rats were fed with growers mash and water only (control); Groups 2 and 3 were fed with growers mash, water and were administered 3.5ml/kg body weight of redbull energy drink and 1.25g/kg body weight of ethanol respectively, while Group 4 were given growers mash and water, and were administered redbull (3.5ml/kg body weight) and ethanol (1.25g/kg body weight). The results showed that ethanol, redbull and their combination altered organ/body weight ratio when administered to rats. Administration of only redbull, ethanol and a combination of both had no effect on Plasma levels of total protein, albumin, Urea and creatinine in rats. However, redbull, ethanol and a combination of both, altered plasma levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glucose. This study also reveals that redbull, ethanol and their combination altered the activity of Super oxide dismutase in liver, kidney, testes and brain but had no effect in the heart. Ethanol, redbull and their combination altered kidney and testes lipid peroxidation but the level of lipid peroxidation in the heart, brain and liver were not affected. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicate that consumption of energy drink alone or in combination with alcohol at the doses used in the study may be toxic, as it altered tissue lipid peroxidation and plasma glucose and LDH activity in rats.