Effect of khat ingestion on peripheral blood picture, liver enzymes and renal function in adult albino rats

ABSTRACT

The present investigation is planned to study the effect of chronic Khat extract ingestion on peripheral blood picture, clotting time, liver and renal functions in adult albino rats. At the end of the experiment blood samples were taken and subjected to the following hematological and biochemical assays Complete blood picture, coagulation time, serum urea, serum creatinine, AST and ALT. Histological examination were done for liver, kidney and spleen. Biochemical investigations of the sera revealed an insignificant increase in both serum urea and creatinine with Khat ingestion as compared to control values. As regard the effects of ingestion of Khat extract on liver microsomal enzymes, there was insignificant decrease in AST level, while ALT was insignificantly increased compared to control value. Histological study showed serious changes in liver, kidney and spleen, varying degree of congestion, cellular infiltration and nuclear changes were observed. The white pulps of the spleen and its capsule were affected. The PAS positive material was decreased and the DNA and the RNA were decreased. It could be concluded that, Khat extract had mild damaging effects in peripheral blood picture, renal and liver functions in albino rats