Consumption of caffeinated energy drink induces alterations in lipid profile and hepatic aminotransferases in experimental rats

Public health concerns have been associated with th e widespread consumption of energy drinks. However, th e is a dearth of scientific data on the biochemical effect s of these energy beverages. This study aimed to in vest gate the effect of caffeinated energy drinks commonly consum ed in Nigeria on plasma lipids, lipid peroxidation marker and liver function indices in albino rats. Male Wistar rats were administered orally caffeinated energy dr inks (1mL/100g body weight) for 28 days. At the end of the experi m ntal period, plasma lipid profile, lipid peroxida tion marker (malondialdehyde) and liver indices were estimated in control and experimental groups using standard m ethods. P<0.05 was considered for statistical significance. Treatment with energy drinks (EDs) demonstrated de creases in total cholesterol, LDL-C, while TG increased as com parable to control. However, concentrations of HDL -C was significantly reduced, while lipid peroxidation mar ker (malondialdehyde) was significantly increased ( p<0.05) by Tiger ED. Although energy drink administration alte red hepatic aminotransferases insignificantly (p>0. 05) at 1mL/100g body weight, Wild Dragon ED increased the activity of aspartate aminotransferase significantl y as compared to control. Alterations in lipid profile, hepatic status and the observed lipid peroxidation by caffeinated ED consumption may have important public health imp lications. We therefore suggest further investigati ons in this