Carbonated soft drinks induce oxidative stress and alter the expression of certain genes in the brains of Wistar rats

Abstract

In Saudi Arabia, the consumption of carbonated soft drinks is common and often occurs with each meal. Carbonated soft drink consumption has been shown to exhibit effects on the liver, kidney and bone. However, the effects of these soft drinks on brain activity have not been widely examined, particularly at the gene level. Therefore, the current study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effects of chronic carbonated soft drink consumption on oxidative stress, brain gene biomarkers associated with aggression and brain histology. In total, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Group 1 served as a control and was provided access to food and water ad libitum; and groups 2‑4 were given free access to food and carbonated soft drinks only (Cola for group 2, Pepsi for group 3 and 7‑UP for group 4). Animals were maintained on these diets for 3 consecutive months. Upon completion of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed and serological and histopathological analyses were performed on blood and tissues samples. Reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze alterations in gene expression levels. Results revealed that carbonated soft drinks increased the serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). Carbonated soft drinks were also observed to downregulate the expression of antioxidants glutathione reductase (GR), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the brain when compared with that in the control rats. Rats administered carbonated soft drinks also exhibited decreased monoamine oxidase A (MAO‑A) and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) serum and mRNA levels in the brain. In addition, soft drink consumption upregulated mRNA expression of dopamine D2 receptor (DD2R), while 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5‑HTT) expression was decreased. However, following histological examination, all rats had a normal brain structure. The results of this study demonstrated that that carbonated soft drinks induced oxidative stress and altered the expression of certain genes that are associated with the brain activity and thus should be consumed with caution.

Carbonated soft drinks alter hepatic cytochrome P450 isoform expression in Wistar rats

“…(Table I) using the Oligo-4 computer program by (Macrogen Co., Seoul, South Korea). Semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted in a total volume of 25 µl as previously described (15). Using a Bio-Rad T100™ Thermal Cycle machine, PCR was performed with the following cycling conditions: 95˚C for 4 min (1 cycle), followed by 27 cycles (to achieve optimal gene expression), each consisting of denaturation at 95˚C for 60 sec, annealing as presented in Table I for 60 sec and extension at 72˚C for 60 sec, with an additional final extension at 72˚C for 10 min.…”

Towards a comprehensive understanding of the contributions of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Huntington's disease

“…Elevated levels of OS has been found to be linked with intermittent explosive disorder and aggression (Coccaro, Lee, & Gozal, ). OS decreases the expression of MAO‐A gene (El‐Terras et al, ), whose low activity has been implicated in violence and aggression (McDermott, Tingley, Cowden, Frazzetto, & Johnson, ). Evidence suggests that antioxidants are effective against aggression (Hira, Saleem, Anwar, & Ahmad, ), impulsivity and emotional instability (Masaki et al, ; Sunil, Sb, Gc, Ad, & Se, ).…”

Effects of Gaseous Drinks in Wistar Rats Esophagus

“…In group 1, the animals were ration with feed and industrialized water without gas ad libitum. Group 2 was submitted to a with ration and hydration with cola-type refrigerant ad libitum and group 3 included rats submitted to the with feed with ration and water of the industrialized type with gas ad libitum and offered in the 24 hours of each treatment day in a period Experimental period of 90 days, according the model developed by El-Terras, et al, (2016) [7]. The weight of each rat was measured and registered on a daily basis.…”

“…The consumption of carbonated drinks has shown to be prejudicial to health in diverse researches [7] [8] [9] [10]. El-Terras, et al, (2016) [7], for example, evaluated the effects of the consumption of three carbonated soft drinks on the brain of Wistar rats and on the genetic expression of monoamine oxidase and D2 dopamine receptors.…”

“…El-Terras, et al, (2016) [7], for example, evaluated the effects of the consumption of three carbonated soft drinks on the brain of Wistar rats and on the genetic expression of monoamine oxidase and D2 dopamine receptors. The results demonstrated that carbonated beverages induced oxidative stress and change of the expression of certain genes associated with brain activity.…”