Introduction: Energy drinks (EDs), are kind of beverages containing stimulant substances, with caffeine as integral part. The most popular EDs in Egypt are Red Bull (RB) and Power Horse.
Aim of the Work: The aim of the current study was done to study the role of omega-3 on RB induced skeletal muscle injury in rat.
Materials and Methods: Thirty adult albino rats, were divided equally into three groups: control, RB, and RB & Omega-3. Group I (control group): rats were subdivided into subgroup IA: the rats received 5 ml saline, by gastric tube daily, for 4 weeks, and subgroup IB: rats received Omega-3 at dose 300 mg/kg/day (60mg/rat = 0.5ml syrup/rat) orally, by gastric tube for 4 weeks. Group II (RB group): the rats received RB at dose of 5ml (l0 mg/kg/day) orally, by gastric tube, for 4 weeks. Group III (RB & omega-3 group): the rats received RB, and omega-3 concomitantly for 4 weeks. Animals were sacrificed, and the skeletal muscles were dissected out, and prepared to be stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical stain (Caspase-3). Morphometric measurements, and statistical analysis were done.
Results: RB induced various histological changes, in the form of mononuclear inflammatory infiltration, congested blood capillaries, disrupted non-striated sarcoplasm in some areas and splitting of myofibrils. Other muscle fibers appear with dark sarcoplasm, dark nuclei, and rows of centrally located oval nuclei in some fibers. RB group revealed significantly increased collagen fibres, and many myofibers showed strong cytoplasmic brownish reaction to Caspase-3 detecting apoptosis. Concomitant administration with omega-3 markedly attenuated these changes with significant decrease in collagen fibres, and weak cytoplasmic brownish reaction in some myofiber.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that omega-3 enhance skeletal muscle protection, and regeneration in RB- induced muscle injury, and has an ameliorating effect on the induced inflammatory changes.