Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Energy drink consumption is on an upswing with reportedly significant health problems associated with its consumption. Additionally, it is one of the most preferred products used in combination with alcohol. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of energy drink and alcohol mixed energy drink (AmED) on epileptic seizures. METHODS: Adult female (250-350 g) Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=8 for each group). Caffeine (3.43 mg/kg) was injected through the intraperitoneal (IP) route and alcohol (3.4 g/kg), energy drink (10.71 ml/kg), and AmED were given to the rats via intragastric intubation for 14 days. On the first, seventh, and fourteenth days of the experiment, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) (60 mg/kg IP) was injected into the rats. The onset time and severity of seizures were evaluated immediately after PTZ. RESULTS: Both caffeine and energy drink caused a significant decrease in the onset time of the seizures. Energy drink showed a significantly shorter onset time than caffeine on the seventh (p=0.045) and fourteenth (p=0.048) day. Energy drink significantly increased the severity of PTZ-induced seizures (p (s)<0.01). Caffeine also produced significant increase in the severity of the seizures on the first (p=0.013) and fourteenth (p=0.047) day. Alcohol and AmED significantly shortened onset time of the seizures on the seventh (p=0.028 and p=0.016) and fourteenth day (p=0.039 and p=0.04), respectively. Both alcohol and AmED significantly decreased the severity of PTZ-induced seizures all observation intervals (p (s)<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that energy drink and AmED produced some significant unfavorable effects on PTZ-induced seizures. They may be dangerous in patient with epilepsy and individuals prone to seizure.