HEPATOTOXIC AND NEPHROTOXIC EFFECTS OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF HERBALIFE® PRODUCTS IN MICE

Abstract

The increase in the consumption of dietary supplements has been growing and the absence of pre-clinical studies that demonstrate the impact of the consequences of their chronic consumption is the biggest gap. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of supplements of chronic use of Herbalife® products (Shake and Tea). For this, the caffeine in the products was first quantified. Mice were separated into four groups: Control, Tea, Shake and Shake + Tea and treated for 28 days by gavage. The weight of the animals, the open field test, biochemical tests, morphometric analysis and the oxidative stress of the kidney and liver were evaluated. Our results showed the detection of caffeine in the Shake a 10-fold higher dose in tea samples. Animals exposed to the “Shake+Tea” association show changes in their behavior pattern. In addition, we observed an AST increase (+175%) in Shake + Tea for the control group, as well as a ~10-fold increase in AOPP in kidney tissue for all groups. Histopathological of liver and kidney and biochemical analysis tissue showed no changes in the experimental groups. Our results indicate that the chronic use of Herbalife® products contributes to changes in the pattern of motor behavior, increased AST and protein oxidation in renal tissue. In this sense, it is suggested that more experimental studies are needed to support the safety of these products that are widely consumed by the general population.