Introduction: Energy drinks intake has been increasing since its introduction commercially. Research on the impacts of energy drinks on individuals has also been progressing ever since. Recently, the description of the contents of such drinks has not been well proven despite the fact that caffeine is considered the most reliable ingredient in all of its types.
Aim of Work: To investigate the microscopic alterations in the ascending aorta associated with ingestion of Red Bull.
Material and Methods: Twenty adult male albino rats weighing 150 grams were used and divided into.: Control Group: had free access to food and water; Experimental Group: given 3.75 ml/kg BW Red Bull through oral gavage. Experiment lasted for 4 weeks. Then, animals were sacrificed, their ascending aortae were excised, and processed for examination.
Results: The tunica intima showed areas of partial loss of its endothelium with projection of the underling media into the lumen of the aorta. A tear in the tunica intima extending towards the superficial part of the tunica media was also detected. The tunica media showed disorganization of its control pattern with distortion of the regularly organized elastic fibers. Sections stained with Masson's Trichrome showed increased accumulation of collagen fibers. Elastic fibers distribution was declined when stained with Orcein in the three tunica of the aortic wall.
Conclusion: Energy drinks could be considered as a aggravating factor for acute aortic dissection. More research on the reversibility of these effects in case of withdrawal and stoppage are recommended.