Effects of Gaseous Drinks in Wistar Rats Esophagus

Abstract

The consumption of beverages and processed foods, mainly soft drinks, has been incorporated into the usual diet of children, adolescents and adults frequently in recent years. The present study aimed to study the effects of carbonated drinks on Wistar rats, based on the macroscopic and histological morphology of the esophagus. Fifteen Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group; group fed with ration and cola-type refrigerant ad libitum and group fed with ration and gas industrialized water ad libitum, for a trial period of 90 days. For histopathology and morphology, the esophagus was removed, prepared in slides and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Images of the sections were captured for analysis and classification of the inflammatory infiltrate. For morphometry, ten grid fields of 100 points were evaluated in the 40x eyepiece, totaling 3000 points per animal. The results demonstrate that the refrigerant treatment induced the following structural changes in the rats: significant reduction of weight in relation to the control group; inflammatory infiltrate predominantly diffuse mild to moderate and tissue edema. The rats treated with carbonated water had similar results to the control, besides signs of healing and tissue repair.

Chronic Inflammatory Changes In Esophageal Mucosa of Albino Rats Following Prolonged Intake of Carbonated Drinks.

“…Waleska et al determined the effects of fructose present in sufficient amounts in soft drinks and demonstrated that high fructose intake promotes inflammation by accumulation of inflammatory substances such as TNF-alpha 10 . Another concordant study, conducted by Oliveira et al noted histopathological changes in the rats esophagus after exposing them to carbonated water and found inflammatory infiltrate predominantly diffuse mild to moderate and tissue edema in the exposed group 1 .…”

“…They are made from sugar that has no nutritional value and contributes to an excessive intake of empty calories. In addition, consumption of carbonated drinks may substitute for nutritious foods that support normal human growth and development, such as milk, natural juices, and fruits 1 . Moreover, carbonated drinks contribute to the development of incompetence in the lower esophageal sphincter, a delay in gastric emptying, and abnormalities in the esophageal mucosa, all of which increase the risk of developing reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus.…”

“…Moreover, carbonated drinks contribute to the development of incompetence in the lower esophageal sphincter, a delay in gastric emptying, and abnormalities in the esophageal mucosa, all of which increase the risk of developing reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. In fact, due to the gastric acid causing tissue damage, persistent oral regurgitation may result in esophageal epithelial changes or the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease 1 .…”