Chronic intake of energy drinks affects changes in kidney function biomarkers in a diabetes mellitus animal model

Background: Energy drinks are a food supplement consisting of multivitamins, macronutrients, taurine, and caffeine. Their excessive consumption is suspected to be a risk factor for chronic kidney failure. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of energy drinks on kidney function in rat models with diabetes mellitus (DM). Method: Thirty-two experimental male Wistar rats were injected with alloxan 150 mg/kg intraperitoneally to induce DM and then randomly divided into four groups. The positive control group was treated with drinking water. ED1, ED2, and ED3 groups were respectively treated with energy drinks coded EDK, EDH, and EDE, with a dose equivalent to caffeine 25 mg/kg twice a day for 15 days. All energy drinks used are distributed in the Asian region, especially in Southeast Asia. Urinalysis, haematology, and kidney histopathology evaluations were carried out. Result: Energy drinks affect BUN, serum creatinine, sodium, and potassium. In the histopathological observation of kidney tissue, there was a significant difference in the value of damage between the control group and the ED3 group. Conclusion: Energy drinks significantly increase the risk of impaired kidney function in diabetes mellitus rat models.