Abstract
Currently, there is the paradox of low water intake but increased intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SB) in several populations; those habits are associated with an increased prevalence of metabolic derangements and greater chronic disease mortality. Persistent heat dehydration and increased SB intake stimulate the continued release of vasopressin and overactivation of the polyol-fructokinase pathway, synergizing each other, an effect partially mediated by oxidative stress. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether water restriction concurrent with SB hydration can cause renal damage by stimulating similar pathways as heat dehydration. Three groups of male Wistar rats (n = 6) were fluid restricted; from 10 am to 12 pm animals could rehydrate with tap water (W), or sweetened beverages, one prepared with 11% of a fructose-glucose combination (SB), or with the noncaloric edulcorant stevia (ST). A normal control group of healthy rats was also studied. The animals were followed for 4 weeks. Markers of dehydration and renal damage were evaluated at the end of the study. Fluid restriction and water hydration mildly increased urine osmolality and induced a 15% fall in CrCl while increased the markers of tubular damage by NAG and KIM-1. Such changes were in association with a mild overexpression of V1a and V2 renal receptors, polyol fructokinase pathway overactivation, and increased renal oxidative stress with reduced expression of antioxidant enzymes. Hydration with SB significantly amplified those alterations, while in stevia hydrated rats, the changes were similar to the ones observed in water hydrated rats. These data suggest that current habits of hydration could be a risk factor in developing kidney damage.