Caffeine Toxicity in Starved Rats

The study investigated the impact of partial starvation on caffeine toxicity in albino rats, with food intake reduced by 0, 43, 57, and 72% compared to those fed freely. Rats received 185 mg/kg of caffeine daily for 14 days. A 43% reduction in food led to some weight loss and tissue hydration but no significant increase in caffeine toxicity. However, when food intake was reduced by more than 50%, there was a marked increase in toxicity signs, including significant weight loss, diuresis followed by oliguria, hair loss, and death from automutilation or cachexia. Starvation did not affect the initial glycosuria and alkalinuria caused by caffeine. Thus, starvation significantly increased caffeine toxicity only when food intake was reduced by over 50%.