Evaluation of the effectiveness of pomegranate juice on some biochemical and tissue variables in male rats treated with Red Bull energy drink

Abstract

The current study was designed to investigate the impact of pomegranate juice on some biochemical and tissue variables resulting from the administration of Red Bull energy drink in male rats. In this study, 28 male white rats were used and divided into four groups, each containing 7 animals, as follows: Group 1 (G1), received physiological saline solution (5 mL/kg) and a normal diet for 120 days. Group 2 (G2), administered Red Bull energy drink (1 ml per 100 g) and a standard diet. Group 3 (G3), given pomegranate juice (5 ml/kg) initially, followed by Red Bull. Group 4 (G4), given Red Bull initially, and after six weeks, administered pomegranate juice. After the completion of the treatment for all animals, blood was drawn from the heart for laboratory analysis. The results of the current study showed that the consumption of Red Bull energy drink led to an increase in the levels of RBS, AST, ALT, and oxidative damage, as indicated by elevated MDA levels. Additionally, there was a reduction in antioxidant levels, including glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT). Pomegranate juice has the ability to reduce the concentration of RBS, AST, and ALT. The results also demonstrated the ability of pomegranate juice to decrease oxidative stress by lowering MDA levels, along with its capability to increase the levels of antioxidants GSH and CAT in the blood serum. Histological changes in the stomach revealed loss of the histological pattern of the surface tissue, nuclear shrinkage of surface cells, infiltration of inflammatory lymphoid cells, as well as disruption in the muscle layer and thickening of the blood vessel wall compared to the negative control group. Additionally, histological changes in the small intestine tissue showed clear evidence of cell shrinkage (D) in the villi, thickening of the vessel wall (TW), along with pronounced infiltration of inflammatory cells (LI). The results also indicated clear evidence of blood congestion (CON) and degeneration of the muscular layer (DML) in the structure of intestinal tissue, compared to the negative control group. Histological examination results showed that pomegranate juice has the potential for cellular repair of stomach and small intestine tissues, making them closely approximate the histological structure of the control group. This suggests the possibility of using it in the treatment of cellular damage, enhancing the functional efficiency of tissue cells.