Abstract

THE EFFECT OF BEER BRANDS ON SOME RENAL INDICES IN MALE ADULT CONSUMERS IN PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA

Ebirien-Agana Samuel Bartimaeus*, Stella Urekweru Ken-Ezihuo and Avidi Ereseiye

ABSTRACT

Background: It is thought that immoderate consumption of beer among consumers could have adverse effects on the kidney. Objectives of the study: The effect of beer brands on some renal function indices was investigated in consumers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Materials and Methods: Sixty male subjects, aged (18-45) years participated in the study. Heineken, Hero, Star and „33‟ lager beer brands were used. Baseline blood samples were collected from the subjects before beer intake. Subjects were divided into 4 groups of 15. Each group was given a bottle of each beer brand and blood samples were collected from the subjects after I hr. The subjects were further offered 2-3 more bottles of the beer brand and blood samples were collected 1hr after. Serum creatinine, urea and uric acid levels were determined from the samples by standard procedures. Results: Significant increase (p<0.05) were observed in the level of the parameters in subjects who consumed one bottle and two or more bottles of beer when compared with the baseline results. Conclusion: The beer brands studied causes increase in the levels of serum creatinine, urea and uric acid which implied that immoderate drinking could cause renal damage and impairment.

Keywords: Beer, creatinine, urea, uric acid, renal impairment.