Effect of Caffeine on Blood Culture and Gastrointestinal Microflora of Albino Rats Research Article
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Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the microbiological impact of caffeine administration on the gastrointestinal microflora and systemic infection risk in albino rats. The experiment was designed to determine whether caffeine exposure could compromise immune status or increase susceptibility to bacteremia. Male albino rats were administered three doses of caffeine citrate (3 mg, 6 mg, and 9 mg), calculated from typical human intake and adjusted for body weight, while untreated animals served as controls. Blood cultures were performed to assess the presence of bacteremia, and fecal samples were analyzed to determine alterations in gut microbial composition. No bacterial growth was detected in the blood samples of either treated or control animals, indicating the absence of bacteremia and no evidence of systemic infection. The gastrointestinal microbiota of treated animals remained largely similar to that of controls, with Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus spp., and Staphylococcus aureus representing the predominant flora. A slight increase in Bacillus subtilis was observed in animals receiving the highest caffeine dose, but this change did not indicate major disruption of microbial balance. Overall, the findings suggest that the tested caffeine dosages did not compromise immune integrity, nor did they significantly alter normal gut microflora in healthy albino rats.
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