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

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