INFLUENCE OF ENERGY DRINK ON THE ENZYMIC ACTIVITY OF THE ANTIOXIDANT STATE OF RAT BLOOD PLASMA

Abstract

Introduction. The modern market for energy drinks is growing rapidly, offering consumers a quick way to increase physical and mental performance. However, despite their popularity, the question of the impact of these drinks on biochemical processes in the body, in particular on the antioxidant defense system, remains open. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of energy drink on the enzymatic activity of antioxidant defense in rat blood plasma.Research methods. The experimental study was conducted on white Wistar rats weighing 150–220 g, which were kept in the vivarium of the IFNMU. The rats were divided into five groups: control group – healthy animals that received only a standard diet and drinking water; second group – rats that consumed an energy drink for 30 days, with sampling on day 1 after the experiment; third group – animals that consumed an energy drink for 30 days, with sampling on day 10 after the experiment; group four - rats that consumed the energy drink for 30 days, with sampling on day 20 after the end of the experiment; group five – animals that received the energy drink for 30 days, with sampling on day 30 after the end of the experiment. The energy drink “Burn” was administered daily per os using drinkers for 30 days. The dosage of the drink was calculated taking into account body weight (per 1 kg) and the coefficient of species specificity for rats. Blood samples for plasma were taken under anesthesia (intramuscular injection of sodium thiopental at a dose of 60 mg/kg) by decapitation on the 1st, 10th, 20th, and 30th day after the end of the drink administration. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in blood plasma was determined by the Chevary method, catalase (CAT) activity, ceruloplasmin activity, and transferrin saturation by the Babenko method. Conclusion. Energy drink consumption leads to the activation of free radical oxidation processes in blood plasma, which is manifested by a decrease in the activity of non-enzymatic antioxidants – transferrin and ceruloplasmin - on the first day after consumption. At the same time, an increase in the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase immediately after cessation of the drink indicates an adaptive reaction of the body aimed at neutralizing oxidative stress through increased synthesis of antioxidant enzymes.