Introduction: Energy drinks are beverages which are consumed by youngsters in large quantities during exercises and studying. Many studies have shown that energy drinks have numerous negative consequences on many organs in heavy consumption.
Aim of the Work: This research aimed to study the effect of energy drinks and their withdrawal on the renal cortex of adult male albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were divided equally into 3 groups; a control group (C), an experimental group (T) that was given 2.2ml\100gm\day of the energy drink orally for 8 weeks and a recovery group (R) that was given the energy drink for the same dose and duration as group T and was left for another 8 weeks after cessation of administration of the energy drink. Renal cortex specimens were prepared for the light and electron microscopes.
Results: Experimental group T revealed disturbed architecture of the renal cortex as shrunken glomeruli with disorganized tubular cells in the form of vacuolated cytoplasm and deeply stained pyknotic nuclei. Weak PAS reaction or even loss were seen in the brush border of some proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs). Ultrastructural examination showed podocytes with irregular nucleus, fusion and effacement of their feet processes and focal glomerular basement membrane thickening. In contrast, minimal regression and persistence of most changes was observed in the recovery group R.
Conclusion: The used energy drink for long duration induced irreversible damaging effects on the renal cortex of adult male albino rats