title: Detrimental effects of energy drink consumption on platelet and endothelial function.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Energy drink consumption has been anecdotally linked with sudden cardiac death and, more recently, myocardial infarction. As myocardial infarction is strongly associated with both platelet and endothelial dysfunction, we tested the hypothesis that energy drink consumption alters platelet and endothelial function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty healthy volunteers (34 male, aged 22+/-2 years) participated in the study. Platelet aggregation and endothelial function were tested before, and 1 hour after, the consumption of 250 mL (1 can) of a sugar-free energy drink. Platelet function was assessed by adenosine diphosphate-induced (1 micromol/L) optical aggregometry in platelet-rich plasma. Endothelial function was assessed via changes in peripheral arterial tonometry and expressed as the reactive hyperemia index (RHI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with baseline values, there was a significant increase in platelet aggregation following energy drink consumption, while no change was observed with control (13.7+/-3.7% vs 0.3+/-0.8% aggregation, respectively, P <.01). Similarly, RHI decreased following energy drink consumption (-0.33+/-0.13 vs 0.07+/-0.12 RHI [control], P <.05). Mean arterial pressure significantly increased following energy drink consumption, compared with control (P <.05). Heart rate was unaffected by energy drink consumption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Energy drink consumption acutely increases platelet aggregation and decreases endothelial function in healthy young adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Centre, Royal Adelaide Hospital, and Disciplines of Physiology and Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Worthley
authors.forename: Anisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prabhu
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Sciscio
authors.forename: Carlee
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: Prashanthan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Willoughby
mesh_terms: D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005965:Glucuronates / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013654:Taurine / Q000494:pharmacology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D005965:Glucuronates; D013654:Taurine; C004940:glucuronolactone; D002110:Caffeine