Erythrocyte indices under conditions of energy drink consumption in Ukraine

Abstract

Background: The consumption of energy drinks, especially among young people, is constantly growing worldwide despite warnings about their safety. Therefore, determining the consequences of their impact on the human body and well-being is an actual issue. This work aimed to study the state of endogenous intoxication and the antioxidant system of erythrocytes in experimental animals that consumed energy drinks.

Methods: The study was conducted on rats that consumed energy drinks for a month. Samples for analysis were taken on the 10th day after the end of the experiment. The biochemical methods of analysis were used to assess the state of endogenous intoxication by the erythrocyte intoxication index and the content of middle mass molecules (MMM), the state of oxidative modification of proteins, and the state of the antioxidant system by the fermentative activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase. Statistical methods were used to determine the reliability of the study results.

Results: It was found that the value of the erythrocyte intoxication index significantly increased by 1.8 times (p<0.001), the content of MMM254 by 1.2 times (p<0.001), and the content of MMM280 – by 3 times (p<0.001), indicating the development of endogenous intoxication. The activation of the processes of oxidative modification of proteins is proved by the increase in the oxidative modification of the protein index by 1.1-1.3 times. It was shown that the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase decreased by 1.1 times, and CAT activity increased by 1.3 times (p<0.001). A 1.5-fold decrease in the ratio between superoxide dismutase and CAT enzymes was also found.

Conclusions: The results indicate damage in the antioxidant system, a decrease in the effectiveness of antioxidant protection, and the development of oxidative stress. The results obtained in this work may help study the potential adverse health effects of energy drinks consumption.