Effect of Coffee on Some Biological Parameters in the Rabbit

Background and Objectives: There are a number of dietary compounds with purported health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease like flavonoids that show bioactivity through their respective antioxidant activity (Walker et al., 2013). Intake of antioxidants and caffeine found in teas, fruits, vegetables, wines and carbonated beverages may be beneficial to body systems at short term and adverse at higher intakes or long term. Caffeine content varies in most of these beverages (Knight et al., 2004). This article investigates the serum concentrations of glucose, total protein, urea, uric acid and creatinine in a cowbell and Nescafe 3in1 sachet coffee fed-rabbits. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five (25) male rabbits housed in rabbit cages allowed free access to food and water after 7days of acclimatization were assigned into five groups, of 5 rabbits. Group 1 served as control, fed only on a basal diet while groups 2 and 3 received 310mg/kg and 470mg/kg Cowbell coffee low and high dose respectively per body weight. Group 4 and 5 received 460mg/kg and 690mg/kg Nescafe low dose and high dose respectively per body weight. All administrations were done orally, daily and standard rabbit chow and water was given ad libitum. The treatment lasted for 30days after which the animals were sacrificed and serum obtained for automated analysis. Results: Blood glucose concentration of cowbell high dose group was significantly (p<0.05) higher compared with other experimental groups. Total protein, albumin, globulin content were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Nescafe 3in1fed animals compared with control. Blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the high dose groups of the different brands compared with other experimental groups. Uric acid levels of cowbell high dose and Nescafe treated groups were significantly (p<0.05) lower. Conclusion: Nescafe 3in1sachet coffee increased total protein, but reduced serum uric acid levels in the rabbit, while cowbell sachet coffee at high dose caused increased glucose concentration and serum urea in the rabbit. Nescafe 3in1 sachet coffee may reduce joint inflammation caused by monosodium urate. These effects are due in part to the caffeine and/or antioxidant levels of the different coffees.