Biochemical, toxicological, and histological changes of energy drinks on brain and pancreatic tissues in pregnant Wistar rats

Background: On a global scale, the intake of energy drinks has been consistently rising. The chemical composition of energy drinks can lead to various adverse effects, such as neurological symptoms like tremors and restlessness, heart symptoms like palpitations or tachycardia, and occasionally severe gastrointestinal symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the potential adverse impacts of energy drinks on the brain and pancreatic tissues of pregnant Wistar rats.Method: There were three groups of pregnant rats, each having six animals. The low-dose and high-dose groups got 5 and 10 ml/kg body weight of an energy drink orally, respectively. The control group received distilled water. From the 5th to the 19th day of pregnancy, energy drinks are given. Additionally, antioxidant enzymes including glutathione reductase (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to determine oxidative damage in the brain and pancreatic tissues. histopathological analysis and biochemical markers, DNA degradation, were also examined.Results: Energy drinks significantly decreased SOD and GSH in the brain and pancreatic tissues of both treated groups compared to the control group (p-value < 0.05). In addition, both treated groups had significantly lower brain tissue dopamine and acetylcholinesterase levels (p-value < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the treated groups showed significant increases in MDA levels, serum amylase activity, serum lipase activity, serum glucose levels, and OTM values in brain and pancreatic tissues (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Administration of energy drinks orally to pregnant Wistar rats resulted in evident harm to the brain and pancreatic organs, possibly due to oxidative stress and raised generation of free radicals.