Effects of Cola Intake on Glucose Metabolism and Oxidative Stress in Weanling Male Rats Fed a Moderate Fat Diet

In recent years, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus has dramatically increased in Korea as the diet has rapidly become westernized. We determined the effect of long-term cola intakes on glucose metabolism and oxidative stress in weanling male Sprague Dawley rats consuming a moderate fat diet Thirty male rats, born from 6 female rats, were randomized into cola or water drinking groups. For 28 weeks, all rats were provided with an ad lib solid diet having 33 percent of its metabolisable energy as fat In addition, rats of the cola group were provided with ad lib cola instead of water. The daily total caloric intake did not differ between groups. The rats in the cola group consumed a higher proportion of carbohydrates, and their mean body weight and fasting serum insulin level were lower than that of the control group. Whole-body glucose disposal rates measured by an euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp were higher in the cola group. However, lipid peroxide levels in kidney tissue were higher in the cola group than in the control group. Superoxide dismutase activity in kidney tissues was lower in the cola group compared to the control group, while glutathion peroxidase and catalase activities were not significantly different between the two groups. In conclusion, long-term cola intakes decreased insulin resistance, but increased oxidative stress in kidney tissue due to decreased SOD activities, which may lead to kidney damage. Thus, moderate changes in insulin resistance may not affect the status of oxidative stress, and vice versa.