Histological Changes in the Gastric Mucosa and Submucosa of Adult Rats Following Chronic Administration of Energy Drinks

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 329–340

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000195

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Histological Changes in the Gastric Mucosa and Submucosa of Adult Rats Following Chronic Administration of Energy Drinks

Names of Authors: Tariq A. Al-Mutairi¹, Khaled M. Mansour²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; ²Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract:
Energy drinks containing high doses of caffeine, taurine, and refined sugars are widely consumed, raising concerns regarding their impact on gastrointestinal tissue integrity. This study evaluated the structural modifications within the gastric wall of adult Wistar rats following chronic energy drink consumption. Twenty-four male rats were randomly assigned to two equal groups (n = 12): a control group receiving distilled water, and an experimental group receiving a commercial energy drink ad libitum daily for 12 consecutive weeks. Gastric tissue samples were harvested, sectioned, and processed for Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Masson’s trichrome staining. The energy drink group exhibited severe structural degradation of the gastric mucosa, characterized by focal epithelial desquamation, glandular disorganization, and a significant reduction in mucosal thickness (210.4 ± 15.2 μm vs 315.8 ± 18.4 μm in controls, p < 0.01). Marked inflammatory cell infiltration, predominantly neutrophils and lymphocytes, was observed within the lamina propria. Masson's trichrome staining revealed a 2.8-fold expansion of collagen deposition within the submucosal layer, indicating chronic interstitial fibrosis (p < 0.01). These results indicate that chronic consumption of energy drinks disrupts gastric mucosal microarchitecture and induces submucosal fibrosis, highlighting potential risks for gastritis and peptic ulceration.

Keywords: Gastric Mucosa, Energy Drinks, Caffeine, Histological Injury, Mucosal Thickness, Submucosal Fibrosis

Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 30, 2026; Revised: September 05, 2026; Accepted: September 17, 2026; Published: September 30, 2026

Citation: Al-Mutairi T.A., & Mansour K.M. (2026). Histological Changes in the Gastric Mucosa and Submucosa of Adult Rats Following Chronic Administration of Energy Drinks. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, 15(9), 329–340. DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000195

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