Khat [Catha edulis]extract increases oxidative stress parameters and impairs renal and hepatic functions in rats

The habit of khat chewing represents a major socio-economic problem in many countries but research into its hepato-renal toxic effects has produced contradictory results. To evaluate the subacute effects of Khat [Catha edulis] extract on hepatic and renal functions in white albino rats. Randomized experimental animal study. Physiology laboratory, medical school of King Khalid University. Twenty white albino rats aged between 14 and 16 weeks were included in the study. The rats were assigned randomly into two groups, ten each. Treated rats received orally administered hydro-ethanol extract of Catha edulis for four weeks. Control rats received corresponding amounts of normal saline. There was statistically significant increase in the activities of hepatic enzymes in treated rats compared to the control group. In addition, serum urea, bilirubin and phosphorus concentrations were significantly increased compared to a decreased serum total protein and albumin concentrations. Oral administration of the extract induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in hepatic and renal tissues as shown by significant increases in lipid peroxidation biomarkers thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] and significant decreases in levels of superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT] and glutathione [GSH]. Histological examination of Catha edulis treated rats revealed marked hepato-renal pathological changes compared to the control group. These results indicate that orally administered Catha edulis extract exerts severe hepato-nephro toxicity and the mechanism of this damage may be related to oxidation, increased lipid peroxidation, and generation of free radicals inside these tissues

In vivo acute effects of orally administered hydro-ethanol extract of catha edulis on blood glucose levels in normal, glucose-fed hyperglycemic, and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

To investigate the blood glucose lowering effect of khat [Catha edulis] extract in normal, glucose-loaded, and alloxan diabetic rats. Three experimental protocols were used in this study. In each of the first 2 protocols, 3 groups of rats [6 rats per group] were used as control group [NS], Catha edulis [CE] treated, and glibenclamide treated groups. This study was carried out at the Physiological Laboratory of the Medical School of King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia between October and November, 2009. Normal rats were used in the first protocol while alloxan diabetic rats were used in the second protocol. Blood glucose levels were measured in all 3 groups after single dose injections of saline, CE or glibenclamide. In the third protocol, another 6 groups of rats [6 rats per group] were prepared as in the first 2 protocols and oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT] was performed on each rat after oral administration of glucose [1.5g/kg]. Oral administration of a hydro-ethanol extract of CE caused no statistically significant change in blood glucose levels in normal rats with or without glucose loading. There were slight, non significant increases in blood glucose levels of extract-treated diabetic rats, with and without glucose loading, as compared to the corresponding untreated rats. Oral administration of CE extract does not exert a hypoglycemic effect in normal, glucose-loaded, and diabetic rats

Construction of intrauterine growth curves in a high altitude area of Saudi Arabia

The aim of the present study was to construct intrauterine percentile growth curves for body weight, length and head circumference for local use in a high altitude area of Saudi Arabia. This is a cross-sectional study of all Saudi births from Abha General Hospital over a 6-year period from 1999 to 2004. We included a total of 6,035 Saudi births in the present study after eliminating babies that were stillbirths, twins or those with major congenital anomalies. The gestational age of the infants ranged from 26-42 weeks. The anthropometric measurements included birth weight, crown-heel length and head circumference. We calculated the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles for weight, length and head circumference against the periods of gestation. We also calculated the mean weight and mean +/- 2SD. We determined the curves of best fit for weight, length and head circumference measurements at different weeks of gestation by polynomial regression of the following general form to construct the clinical curves: Y = a + bX + cX2. We derived intrauterine growth curves for weight, length and head circumference from measurements made on infants born at each week of gestation in the latter half of pregnancy. By calculating mean values and deviations around these [expressed either as centiles or standard deviations], we constructed distance [size attained] growth curves. The mean values for weight and length of births of the present study are lower than those of published charts in all gestational periods. However, for head circumference, evident appeared only before 32 weeks of gestation. The mean values of head circumference were nearly comparable. Constructed smoothed gestational curves are a useful tool for assessing the intrauterine growth of births in high altitude areas of Saudi Arabia

body surface area of Saudi newborns

Cancer chemotherapy drugs, fluids and electrolytes are best dosed per square meter of body surface area [BSA]. Since newborns have an exceptionally large surface to mass ratio, their BSA needs to be accurately estimated, if it is to serve as a safe denominator for drugs and fluids. In this study, BSA was measured directly in 15 full-term Saudi newborns, using a coating technique. The data was used to construct a BSA weight-length prediction formula. Mean body mass index [BMI +/- SD] of our subjects was 12.56 +/- 1.29 kg/m2 and surface to mass ratio,.068 +/- .005 m2/kg. The closest fit to measured values was given by the regression equation: BSA [m2] = 0.03614H0.294W0.529 +/- 0.0027 [SEE] A simplified formula based on weight alone: BSA = 7.4 + 4.2W +/- 0.0022[SEE] was derived for bedside use, in urgent situations. Our formulae may be applicable to non-Saudi newborns, if as expected, body size and shape variations in different populations develop after birth

formula for the estimation of the body surface area of Saudi male adults

Human body surface area [BSA] is the preferred denominator for physiological indices of body metabolism and for drug dosages. The Du Bois and Du Bois height/weight nomogram, used for fast and convenient estimation of patients BSA, is not suitable for all populations due to ethnic differences in body shape and build. The purpose of this study was to obtain direct measurements of BSA and use the data to construct a prediction formula for Saudi male adults. Body surface area was measured in 21 adult male Saudis at Assir Central Hospital in Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between 2000 and 2003, using a coating technique. Areas of the coating material were determined with a compensating planimeter. Other anthropometric indices were measured or calculated according to standard procedures. Measured values of BSA were subjected to linear regression analysis using the least squares method to obtain a formula for predicting BSA from heights and weights. Mean body mass index [BMI] was 25.1 +/- 1.6 kg/m2; linearity, 2.46 +/- 0.13 cm/kg; surface to mass ratio, 0.025 +/- 0.0008 m2/kg; relative sitting height [RSH], 0.51 +/- 0.005. The closest fit to measured BSA values was given by the biexponential regression equation: BSA=0.02036 x H0.516 x W0.427 +/- 0.01283. This formula predicts BSA of Saudi male adults more accurately than all existing equations tested and yields a convenient BSA table for Saudis. The use of our formula, with prediction accuracy superior to those of existing formulae, should facilitate the establishment of normal values of other physiological indices. It should also lead to more reliable and precise drug dosages and expedite rapid decision making in critical care situations