Abstract

ALTERATION IN BILIARY ELECTROLYTES AND LIVER HISTOLOGY IN RATS FOLLOWING CHRONIC CAFFEINE INTAKE

Nku C. O., Ani E. J., *Ime A. U. and Ikpi D. E.

ABSTRACT

Caffeine is believed to be a strong psychoactive and central nervous system stimulant used recreationally and medically to reduce physical fatigue and to restore alertness. Changes in ion levels are known to cause alterations in neuronal signaling potentials and other cellular mechanisms. In view of this, this work was aimed at investigating the effect of caffeine on serum ion concentrations and liver function in albino Wistar rats. Fifteen (15) male albino Wistar rats weighing 180 – 200 g were used for this study after two weeks of acclimatization. The animals were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 5), namely; control, low and high dose. The control group was fed with 100 % stock diet feed. Low dose group was fed with caffeinated feed (0.67 % caffeine) while high dose group was fed with caffeinated feed (1.33 % caffeine). All animals were allowed free access to feed and water. After eight (8) weeks, bile and blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture for analysis. The results showed that the mean biliary sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-) and bicarbonate concentrations were significantly lowered (P<0.01, P<0.001 respectively) in both low and high dose groups when compared to the control, with the high dose having the most significant decrease. The high and low dose groups presented a significant increase (P<0.001) in mean serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration when compared to control. Mean serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level showed a similar effect as ALT. The mean conjugated bilirubin level was significantly raised (P<0.05) in high dose group compared to control and low dose groups. High intake of caffeine alters serum ion concentrations which may induce changes in membrane potentials and pose possible risk of cardiac problems and may induce hepatocellular injury.

Keywords: Caffeine, bile secretion, liver enzymes, electrolytes.