Effect of Energy Drinks on Rat Hippocampus and the Possible Neuroprotective Role of Sesame Oil: Histological, Immunohistochemical and Molecular Study

Abstract
Background: Energy drinks (EDs) consumption has in-creased dramatically over the past years and several adverse effects have been reported. Sesame oil (SO) is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory dietary source for human health.
Aim of Study: The present study was assigned to investigate the possible neuroptotecive role of SO on energy drinks-induced hippocampal damage.
Material and Methods: Twenty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups; five rats in each (control, SO, EDs and EDs+SO). Routine histological examination was done, together with toluidine blue stain for dark neurons (DN) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining for astrocytes. Gene expression of catalase and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and histomorphometric analysis was done.
Results: Histological examination of the hippocampus from EDs group showed shrunken pyramidal and granule cells, vacuolation and large pericellular spaces. There was significant decrease in neuronal thickness, increase in the number of DN and GFAP area percent compared to control group. Significant decrease in catalase gene expression was observed along with increase in TNF-a gene expression. Concomitant SO administration significantly improved the previously mentioned changes.
Conclusion: Energy drinks administration induced mor-phological and morphometric changes, deficient antioxidant capacity and inflammatory response in rat hippocampus. Sesame oil administration alleviated these adverse changes possibly due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory prop-erties.