Evaluation of Systemic Microvascular Reactivity After Ingestion of an Energy Drink in Young Male Volunteers

Purpose: Energy drinks (EDs) are nonalcoholic beverages whose main ingredients are sugar, taurine, and caffeine. Their consumption is rising worldwide, with only few conflicting studies examining their vascular effects in young adults. We evaluated microvascular reactivity (MR) before and after ED in young healthy male volunteers.

Methods: Systemic MR was evaluated in the skin of the forearm using laser speckle contrast imaging with acetylcholine (ACh) iontophoresis before, 90 and 180 minutes after the consumption of one can of ED or the same volume of water (control), followed by postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Endothelial Function
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Ingestion of the energy drink (Red Bull®); Dietary supplement: Ingestion of mineral water

Detailed Description

Energy drinks (EDs) are nonalcoholic beverages whose main ingredients are sugar, taurine, and caffeine. These products are marketed as boosters of mental and physical performance and are increasingly used in Western societies. Case reports of adverse effects related to ED consumption have been described in healthy young individuals, including coronary artery vasospasm, and myocardial infarction. These data suggest that endothelial dysfunction (EDysf) plays a role in ED cardiovascular effects and have prompted studies with conflicting results. The present study evaluated the microvascular reactivity (MR) after ingestion of one can of ED compared to a control, in young healthy male volunteers.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 22

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Brazil
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22240-006
    • National Institute of Cardiology, Ministry of Health, Brazil
  • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22240006
    • Eduardo Tibiriçá

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 35 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

healthy male volunteers with no relevant findings in the medical history

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• healthy male volunteers with no relevant findings in the medical history

Exclusion Criteria:

• being a competitive athlete;
• being on regular medication;
• using illicit drugs;
• being allergic to coffee, taurine or any of the components of the selected energy drink; - -
• having a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Energy Drink; Ingestion of 250 ml of the energy drink (Red Bull®) - Evaluation of systemic skin microvascular endothelial function Laser-based method for evaluating non-invasive, operator-independent systemic microvascular function that detects microvascular flow in the skin for the evaluation of systemic vascular endothelial function.	Dietary supplement: Ingestion of the energy drink (Red Bull®); Ingestion of 250 ml of the energy drink (Red Bull®)
Control; Ingestion of 250 ml of mineral water (Minalba®) - Evaluation of systemic skin microvascular endothelial function Laser-based method for evaluating non-invasive, operator-independent systemic microvascular function that detects microvascular flow in the skin for the evaluation of systemic vascular endothelial function.	Dietary supplement: Ingestion of mineral water; Ingestion of 250 ml of mineral water (Minalba®)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Endothelium-dependent skin microvascular reactivity	Cutaneous microvascular flow measured with laser speckle contrast imaging	Microvascular reactivity will be evaluated after a 20-minute rest in the supine position in a temperature-controlled room.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Institute of Cardiology, Laranjeiras, Brazil

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 10, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): June 10, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): June 30, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 5, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 10, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): October 12, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 14, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 11, 2022
• Last Verified: October 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: CAAE 13135219.0.0000.5272

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No