Evaluation of the effects of energy drink on bone tissue in experimental periodontitis in rats

Energy drinks consist of many substances like caffeine, taurine, sucrose/glucose, vitamins and some herbal supplements such as ginseng, gingko biloba, guarana and are used by millions of people world-wide. Although some studies have reported a negative effect of energy drinks on systemic health, there is no information about its effect on the initial and progression of periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of regular consumption of energy drinks on bone tissue in experimental periodontitis in rats. Thirty-two Wistar Albino rats were assigned to one of the following groups: 1) Non- ligature and drinking distilled water group (n=8), 2) Non-ligature and energy drink ingestion group (n=8), 3) Ligature and drinking distilled water group (n=8), 4) Ligature and energy drink ingestion group (n=8). A 3.0 silk suture was placed submarginally around the second molars in both maxiller quadrants. The study duration was 14 days and the animals were sacrificed at the end of this period. Top jaws were removed. Dynamic changes of the alveolar bone levels were evaluated by Micro-computed Tomography, Histometry and Immunohistochemistry of the receptors for bone loss. Also blood samples was taken while sacrifing and serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B Ligand (RANKL), OPG (Osteoprotegerin) and RANKL/OPG ratio were examined. At the end of 14 days, Bone Mineral Density (BMD), Bone Volume Fraction (BVF), Trabecular Number (Tb.N) values of the ligated groups were significantly lower than those of the unlighted groups (p<0.05), whereas Alveolar Bone Loss (ABL) and Trabecular Separation (Tb.Sp) of the ligated groups were significantly higher than those of the unligated groups (p<0.05). Compared with the distilled water groups, energy drinks administration groups have differences but they were not statistically significant for Micro CT evaluations. The results of immunohistochemical evaluation showed that the level of RANKL and RANKL/OPG ratio in the ligature groups were significantly greater than non-ligature groups. The ligature and energy drink ingestion group presented the highest number of RANKL+ cells and RANKL/OPG+ cells ratio. Also histologically alveolar bone loss in energy drink groups were greater than distilled water group, especially alveolar bone loss was highest in ligated and energy drink ingestion group. There were no differences among groups for serum levels of VEGF, bFGF, RANKL, OPG and RANKL/OPG (p>0.05). The present study demonstrated that regular consumption of energy drinks may have a negative effects on the induction and progression of experimental periodontitis. Keywords: Alveolar bone loss, Energy drinks, Experimental periodontitis, Ligature induced periodontitis, X-ray microtomography, Micro CT, Micro Computed Tomography