ORAL CONSUMPTION OF CAFFEINATED ENERGY DRINKS INCREASES EXPRESSION OF KI-67 BUT DECREASES BRAIN-DERIVED NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR IN THE BRAIN OF RATS.
Anton S. TKACHENKO1, Galina I. GUBINA-VAKULYCK2, Anatolii I. ONISHCHENKO1, Tatyana V. GORBACH1, Oksana A. NAKONECHNA1, Nataliya S. KUFTERINA3, Esmira V. SHEKHOVTSOVA1, Maryna O. TKACHENKO4
1Department of Biochemistry, 2Department of Pathological Anatomy, 3Department of Internal and Occupational Diseases, Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine and 4Kharkiv Municipal Clinical Hospital Nš 27, Kharkiv, Ukraine.
ABSTRACT
Cytotoxic effects of caffeinated energy drinks and their components have previously been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of regular oral consumption of caffeinated energy drinks on the brain, especially on cerebral Ki-67 expression, levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factors and β-nerve growth factor in a rat model. Materials and methods. The brain homogenate levels of BDNF and β-NGF were measured in rats fed on a regular diet of caffeinated energy drinks for two months, using commercially available ELISA kits and compared with levels measured in control rats. Ki-67 expression was assessed immunohistochemically to evaluate the proliferation rate of different types of cells in the brain tissue. Results. Caffeinated energy drink consumption for two months was associated with the development of histological features of brain edema, significantly increased expression of Ki-67 with BDNF levels significantly reduced by half (p=0.02), in brain homogenates compared to control rats. Conclusions. Chronic oral consumption of caffeinated energy drinks was associated with significantly reduced BDNF levels and an overexpression of Ki-67 in macroglial cells, endotheliocytes, and ventricular ependymocytes suggesting a proliferative response to neural injury.
Key words: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, β-Nerve Growth Factor, Caffeine, Energy Drinks, Ki-67 Antigen.
Correspondence: Assistant Professor Anton S. Tkachenko, PhD, Department of Biochemistry, Kharkiv National Medical University, Nauky ave 4, 61022, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Phone: +380 50 109 45 54; Fax number: +380577004132
E-mail: antontkachenko555@gmail.com
ORCHID ID: http://www.orcid.org/0000-0002-1029-1636
Brunei Int Med J. 2018;14:140-146