Chronic effects of soft drink consumption on the health state of Wistar rats: A biochemical, genetic and histopathological study.
The present study was performed to examine the effects of chronic soft drink consumption (SDC) on oxidative stress, biochemical alterations, gene biomarkers and histopathology of bone, liver and kidney. Free drinking water of adult male Wistar rats was substituted with three different soft drinks: Coca‑Cola, Pepsi and 7‑Up, for three consecutive months. The serum and organs were collected for examining the biochemical parameters associated with bone, liver and kidney functions. Semi‑quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to observe the changes in the expression of genes in the liver and kidney, which are associated with oxidative stress resistance. Histopathological investigations were performed to determine the changes in bone, liver and kidney tissues using hematoxylin and eosin stains. SDC affected liver, kidney and bone function biomarkers. Soft drinks increased oxidative stress, which is represented by an increase in malondialdehyde and a decrease in antioxidant levels. SDC affected serum mineral levels, particularly calcium and phosphorus. Soft drinks downregulated the expression levels of glutathione‑S‑transferase and super oxide dismutase in the liver compared with that of control rats. Rats administered Coca‑Cola exhibited a hepatic decrease in the mRNA expression of α2‑macroglobulin compared with rats administered Pepsi and 7‑Up. On the other hand, SDC increased the mRNA expression of α1‑acid glycoprotein. The present renal studies revealed that Coca‑Cola increased the mRNA expression levels of desmin, angiotensinogen and angiotensinogen receptor compared with the other groups, together with mild congestion in renal histopathology. Deleterious histopathological changes were reported predominantly in the bone and liver of the Coca‑Cola and Pepsi groups. In conclusion, a very strict caution must be considered with SDC due to the increase in oxidative stress biomarkers and disruption in the expression of certain genes associated with the bio‑vital function of both the liver and kidney.
Department of Medical Laboratories, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
Adel
A
Alkhedaide
Department of Medical Laboratories, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
Mohamed Mohamed
MM
Soliman
Medical Laboratories Department, College of Science, Majmaah University, Al Zulfi 2345, Saudi Arabia.
Alaa-Eldin
AE
Salah-Eldin
Department of Medical Laboratories, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
Tamer Ahmed
TA
Ismail
Medical Laboratory Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Shaqra University, Al‑Dawadmi 1678, Saudi Arabia.
Zafer Saad
ZS
Alshehiri
Department of Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Benha 13736, Egypt.
Hossam Fouad
HF
Attia
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000097:blood; D006304:Health Status; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase