Energy drinks exacerbate high-fat diet-induced metabolic and hepatic dysfunction in male and female Wistar rats

Summary: The global increase in non-communicable diseases, particularly those linked to obesity and metabolic disorders, is increasingly associated with high-fat diets (HFD) and the rising consumption of energy drinks (ED). This study examines the combined effects of these dietary factors on metabol...

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Main Authors: Worship Odosa Agbonifo, Joseph Chimezie, Mercy Oluwaseun Awoleye, Hope Oluwabukola Francis, Temitope Gabriel Adedeji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Clinical Nutrition Open Science
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667268525000129
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author Worship Odosa Agbonifo
Joseph Chimezie
Mercy Oluwaseun Awoleye
Hope Oluwabukola Francis
Temitope Gabriel Adedeji
author_facet Worship Odosa Agbonifo
Joseph Chimezie
Mercy Oluwaseun Awoleye
Hope Oluwabukola Francis
Temitope Gabriel Adedeji
author_sort Worship Odosa Agbonifo
collection DOAJ
description Summary: The global increase in non-communicable diseases, particularly those linked to obesity and metabolic disorders, is increasingly associated with high-fat diets (HFD) and the rising consumption of energy drinks (ED). This study examines the combined effects of these dietary factors on metabolic health and liver function using male and female Wistar rats. Sixty-four rats (32 males and 32 females) were divided into four dietary groups-control, control + ED, HFD, and HFD + ED, and observed over 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, various parameters were assessed, including body anthroprometrics, lipid profile, antioxidant activity, liver function, glucose and insulin levels, leptin levels, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance, and liver histology.The results indicated that female rats in the HFD + ED group experienced increased BMI and elevated leptin levels, suggesting enhanced adiposity and potential leptin resistance. Male rats showed muscle mass gains without corresponding increases in BMI, indicating a different metabolic response to caloric intake. Significant increases in serum SOD and CAT levels were observed in female rats, alongside elevated CAT levels in male rats, pointing to a compensatory response to oxidative stress. Additionally, increases in liver function parameters ALT and ALP, particularly in female rats, indicated liver damage. Total protein levels were also decreased in female Wistar rats, suggesting reduced protein synthesis. Histological analysis confirmed hepatic injury, which was exacerbated by the combined intake of HFD and ED. These findings demonstrate that the combined intake of a high-fat diet and energy drinks leads to significant metabolic disruptions and liver damage in Wistar rats.
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spelling doaj-art-4cc2fa39970e4892b59cb054e95be74a2025-08-20T02:06:36ZengElsevierClinical Nutrition Open Science2667-26852025-04-016011114010.1016/j.nutos.2025.01.012Energy drinks exacerbate high-fat diet-induced metabolic and hepatic dysfunction in male and female Wistar ratsWorship Odosa Agbonifo0Joseph Chimezie1Mercy Oluwaseun Awoleye2Hope Oluwabukola Francis3Temitope Gabriel Adedeji4Epigenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, NigeriaEpigenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, NigeriaEpigenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, NigeriaEpigenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, NigeriaEpigenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria; Corresponding author. Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.Summary: The global increase in non-communicable diseases, particularly those linked to obesity and metabolic disorders, is increasingly associated with high-fat diets (HFD) and the rising consumption of energy drinks (ED). This study examines the combined effects of these dietary factors on metabolic health and liver function using male and female Wistar rats. Sixty-four rats (32 males and 32 females) were divided into four dietary groups-control, control + ED, HFD, and HFD + ED, and observed over 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, various parameters were assessed, including body anthroprometrics, lipid profile, antioxidant activity, liver function, glucose and insulin levels, leptin levels, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance, and liver histology.The results indicated that female rats in the HFD + ED group experienced increased BMI and elevated leptin levels, suggesting enhanced adiposity and potential leptin resistance. Male rats showed muscle mass gains without corresponding increases in BMI, indicating a different metabolic response to caloric intake. Significant increases in serum SOD and CAT levels were observed in female rats, alongside elevated CAT levels in male rats, pointing to a compensatory response to oxidative stress. Additionally, increases in liver function parameters ALT and ALP, particularly in female rats, indicated liver damage. Total protein levels were also decreased in female Wistar rats, suggesting reduced protein synthesis. Histological analysis confirmed hepatic injury, which was exacerbated by the combined intake of HFD and ED. These findings demonstrate that the combined intake of a high-fat diet and energy drinks leads to significant metabolic disruptions and liver damage in Wistar rats.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667268525000129Oxidative stressDietary fatsEnergy drinkLiver functionObesity
spellingShingle Worship Odosa Agbonifo
Joseph Chimezie
Mercy Oluwaseun Awoleye
Hope Oluwabukola Francis
Temitope Gabriel Adedeji
Energy drinks exacerbate high-fat diet-induced metabolic and hepatic dysfunction in male and female Wistar rats
Clinical Nutrition Open Science
Oxidative stress
Dietary fats
Energy drink
Liver function
Obesity
title Energy drinks exacerbate high-fat diet-induced metabolic and hepatic dysfunction in male and female Wistar rats
title_full Energy drinks exacerbate high-fat diet-induced metabolic and hepatic dysfunction in male and female Wistar rats
title_fullStr Energy drinks exacerbate high-fat diet-induced metabolic and hepatic dysfunction in male and female Wistar rats
title_full_unstemmed Energy drinks exacerbate high-fat diet-induced metabolic and hepatic dysfunction in male and female Wistar rats
title_short Energy drinks exacerbate high-fat diet-induced metabolic and hepatic dysfunction in male and female Wistar rats
title_sort energy drinks exacerbate high fat diet induced metabolic and hepatic dysfunction in male and female wistar rats
topic Oxidative stress
Dietary fats
Energy drink
Liver function
Obesity
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667268525000129
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