title: Chronic cola drinking induces metabolic and cardiac alterations in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of chronic drinking of cola beverages on metabolic and echocardiographic parameters in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided in 3 groups and allowed to drink regular cola (C), diet cola (L), or tap water (W) ad libitum during 6 mo. After this period, 50% of the animals in each group were euthanized. The remaining rats drank tap water ad libitum for an additional 6 mo and were then sacrificed. Rat weight, food, and beverage consumption were measured regularly. Biochemical, echocardiographic and systolic blood pressure data were obtained at baseline, and at 6 mo (treatment) and 12 mo (washout). A complete histopathology study was performed after sacrifice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 mo, C rats had increased body weight (+7%, P < 0.01), increased liquid consumption (+69%, P < 0.001), and decreased food intake (-31%, P < 0.001). C rats showed mild hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Normoglycemia (+69%, P < 0.01) and sustained hypertriglyceridemia (+69%, P < 0.01) were observed in C after washout. Both cola beverages induced an increase in left ventricular diastolic diameter (C: +9%, L: +7%, P < 0.05 vs W) and volumes (diastolic C: +26%, L: +22%, P < 0.01 vs W; systolic C: +24%, L: +24%, P < 0.05 vs W) and reduction of relative posterior wall thickness (C: -8%, L: -10%, P < 0.05 vs W). Cardiac output tended to increase (C: +25%, P < 0.05 vs W; L: +17%, not significant vs W). Heart rate was not affected. Pathology findings were scarce, related to aging rather than treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This experimental model may prove useful to investigate the consequences of high consumption of soft drinks.
authors.affiliation: José Milei, Matilde Otero Losada, Hernán Gómez Llambí, Daniel R Grana, Daniel Suárez, Francisco Azzato, Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas, University of Buenos Aires - CONICET, Buenos Aires, C1122AAJ, Argentina. ininca@fmed.uba.ar
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Milei
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Otero Losada
authors.forename: Hernán
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gómez Llambí
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Grana
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Azzato
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ambrosio