Abstract
Background and ObjectivesA controversy developed between the benefits of energy drinks (EDs) versus the possible health threats since its revolution. Lack of information was a call to assess the effect of chronic consumption of Power Horse (PH) as one of the EDs, on the structure of pancreas and fundic mucosa of stomach in rats, and possible protective role of Omega-3.Materials and MethodsThirty two adult male albino rats were divided equally into 4 groups; control received group which only received a standard diet, Omega-3 group, PH group which given PH and PH plus Omega-3 group received both PH plus Omega-3 for 4 weeks. Biochemical assessment of blood glucose, serum insulin, gastrin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) was performed. The antioxidant activity and histopathological examination of both pancreatic tissue and fundic mucosa of stomach were assessed.ResultsAdministration of PH significantly increased serum insulin and glucose levels while it significantly reduced serum gastrin level compared to control. PH also caused oxidants/antioxidants imbalance in both pancreas and fundic mucosa. The latter revealed degenerative changes and increased apoptosis which was evident by increased caspase-3 immunoexpression. Pancreas exhibited signs of β-cells overstimulation. Fundic mucosa showed reduced number of parietal cells, gastrin hormone expression compared to control group. Omega-3 administration could alleviate, to some extent, these changes. It significantly decreased TNF-α, iNOS and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as significantly increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities compared to the group which received PH alone.ConclusionPower Horse intake significantly injures islet cells, pancreatic acini as well as the glandular cells of the fundic mucosa. Omega-3 decreases these detrimental effects mostly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.
Highlights
The revolution of energy drinks (EDs) has pointed out both their popularity and controversy, given on one hand their advertized benefits of increased alertness and energy, versus their possibly crucial health threats [1,2,3,4,5]
Omega-3 administration could alleviate, to some extent, these changes. It significantly decreased TNF-α, inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as significantly increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities compared to the group which received Power Horse (PH) alone
There was no significant change in the mean body weights of rats of all studied groups during and at the end of the 4 weeks of PH administration (Fig 1)
Summary
The revolution of energy drinks (EDs) has pointed out both their popularity and controversy, given on one hand their advertized benefits of increased alertness and energy, versus their possibly crucial health threats [1,2,3,4,5]. Energy drinks are a group of beverages that has gained their fame since 1997 [6] They are designed to provide the consumer by a combination of stimulants and energy boosters that increases the physical endurance, concentration and sustenance; improves cognitive as well as muscular performance and provide mood enhancement [7, 8]. A controversy developed between the benefits of energy drinks (EDs) versus the possible health threats since its revolution. Lack of information was a call to assess the effect of chronic consumption of Power Horse (PH) as one of the EDs, on the structure of pancreas and fundic mucosa of stomach in rats, and possible protective role of Omega-3
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