Introduction: Obesity and stunted growth are major health problems that face the population nowadays. Regular intake of junk foods and soft drinks has been associated with obesity and other health conditions. The hypothalamus-pituitary axis serves as the master pathway governing the growth and development. Growth hormone, secreted by pituitary gland, is the one regulating these processes.
Aim of Work: The aim of this study is to throw a light on the effect of junk food and soft drinks on the body mass index (BMI) and structure of pituitary gland.
Materials and Methods: Three-week-old male albino rats (n=40) were divided into; group 1 (control), group 2 (junk food), group 3 (carbonated soft drink) & Group 4 (Junk food and carbonated soft drink). Initial and final weight, length and BMI were measured and calculated for each rat then all rats were sacrificed on the 28th day. Microscopic studies of anterior pituitary gland and morphometric studies for PAS-orange & anti-growth hormone stained sections were done.
Results: Significant increase in weight gain, decrease in length gain and increase in final BMI in all experimental groups compared to control were found. In all experimental groups, H&E stained sections of pituitary gland revealed histological changes of acidophils. PAS-orange stain revealed reduction of orange stained cells. The anti-growth hormone immunostain showed less growth hormone expressive cells. Electron microscope revealed distorted nuclei and reduced secretory granules, vacuolated cytoplasm and swollen mitochondria especially in groups (3&4).
Conclusion: Junk food and carbonated soft drinks consumption led to increase in body mass index and resulted in microscopic changes into light and electron microscopic examination of the anterior pituitary gland.