The Effects of Direct Red Bull Administration to Isolated Hearts of Trained and Untrained Rats Who Regularly Consumed or Did Not Consume Energy Drink: Focus on Cardiodynamics and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Abstract Energy drinks (EDs) contain caffeine and other active ingredients which affect cardiovascular system. The aims of this study were to examine direct effects of Red Bull (RB) on cardiodynamics and oxidative stress in isolated hearts of rats. The rats were divided into four groups: untrained rats who never consumed ED (dED-UT); untrained rats who consumed ED 5 days a week during 4 weeks (ch+dED-UT); rats trained 5 times a week for 4 weeks, but did not consume ED (dED-T); rats trained and consumed ED 5 times a week for 4 weeks (ch+dED-T). After sacrificing, hearts were isolated and perfused according to Langendorff technique. Through the isolated heart of all rats in each group, RB was administered. The parameters of cardiac function were recorded, and the levels of prooxidants were measured in the coronary effluent during coronary autoregulation. Rats in ch+dED-UT group had significantly lower rates of myocardial contraction and relaxation compared to rats in dED-UT group. The same effect was recorded in the dED-T group compared to dED-UT group. The levels of hydrogen peroxide were significantly higher in trained rats. Rats in ch+dED-T group also had significantly higher levels of superoxide anion radical and index of lipid peroxidation, as well as lower levels of nitrites when compared to ch+dED-UT group, while opposite effect was recorded in rats in dED-T group compared to dED-UT group. The RB could have a potentially negative inotropic effect in chronic consumers. Prooxidative effect of RB was most pronounced in trained chronic consumers.