Adverse Effects of Caffeine on Development of Femur of BALB/c Mice and Protective Role of Vitamin D3.

Objective: To determine the effects of caffeine ingestion on the development of femur and role of vitamin D3 in preventing these effects in BALB/c mice.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in cooperation with NIH (National Institute of Health), Islamabad, from October 2014 to October 2015.

Methodology: Thirty (100%) BALB/c mice, 50% male and female each, three weeks old, weighing 12-14 grams were taken and divided equally and randomly into three groups, each having 10 (33.3%) mice; 5 (16.6%) male and female. G1 (control group) was given normal diet with water ad libitum. G2and G3(experimental groups) were given 10 mg of caffeine per 100g body weight, three days a week, through oral gavage for 60 days on alternate days. However, experimental group G3was additionally provided 0.1µg vitamin D3daily, through oral gavage for 60 days. Experimental groups were compared with control group and data was analyzed statistically.

Results: The mean weight of mice femur of G1(control group) was 0.387 ±0.019 g; while mean weights of right femur of G2and G3(experimental groups) were 0.316 ±0.020 g and 0.345 ±0.020 g, respectively. Similarly, mean right femur length of group G1 was 20.70 ±0.609 mm; while for groups G2 and G3, it was 24.382 ±1.087 mm and 22.966 ±0.822 mm, respectively. In comparison with group G1for groups G2and G3, femur weight decreased, however femur length increased.

Conclusion: Caffeine intake caused femur length to increase and weight to decrease, but treatment with vitamin D3.