Can energy drinks reduce the depressor effect of ethanol? An experimental study in mice

Physiol Behav. 2004 Oct 15;82(5):841-7. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.06.017.

Abstract

Although the popularization of the combined use of alcoholic beverages and energy drinks (ED) containing caffeine, taurine and other substances has increased, there are no controlled experimental studies on the effects of ED alone or combined with ethanol. This work aimed at evaluating the effects of different doses of ED combined or not with ethanol, on the locomotor activity of Swiss mice. The administration of 3.57, 10.71 or 17.86 ml/kg of ED alone increased the locomotor activity of the animals in relation to a control group. Low doses of ethanol (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg) alone or in combination with 10.71 ml/kg of ED did not affect their locomotor activity. However, the reduction of activity observed after 2.5 g/kg of ethanol was antagonized by 10.71 ml/kg of ED. Further studies on the mechanisms of this interaction are still needed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Beverages
  • Caffeine / pharmacology*
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / blood
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / pharmacology*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology*
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Interactions
  • Ethanol / blood
  • Ethanol / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Taurine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Taurine
  • Caffeine
  • Ethanol