Adverse Effects of Long-Term Ice-Cold Water Drink on Rat Liver Function and Histology

Abstract

Drinking ice-cold water is prohibited in Avicenna’s “The Canon of Medicine” book in which he emphasized that ice-cold water drinking was hazardous for the body organs such as the liver. Little information can be found regarding the effects of ice-cold fluid drinks on liver and its probable sequels on this vital organ. Accordingly, we investigated the effects of long-term ice-cold water drink on the rat liver function and histology. Eighteen male Wistar rats, weighing 180±20 g, were randomly divided into three groups of six as two months ice-cold water drink, CW2M; three months ice-cold water drink, CW3M; and three months room temperature water drink; control group. Upon completion of the care period, a blood sample has been taken for liver enzymes and lipid profile assessment. Liver tissue has also been used for histological studies of H&E staining and microscopic examination. Histological findings showed hepatocellular micro-vesicle formation, necrosis and derangement of the cellular cords and infiltration of Kupffer cells in ice-cold water taken animals. Serum TGs, VLDL-C and ALP significantly increased with sound decrease in FBS and LDL-C in ice-cold water taken animals. It seems that long-term ice-cold water has deleterious functional and structural effects on the liver.

Long-Term Ice-Cold Water Drink Induced Testicular Damage and Altered Sperm Characteristics in Rats

“…It is mentioned that everything leading to the body's sudden cooling can damage the health. In addition to the acute adverse effects of cold-water intake, there are some long-term adverse effects like liver [15], gastrointestinal and other internal organ damages and dysfunction [13,16,17].…”