Short term effect of Khat on liver function, blood pressure and pulse

ABSTRACT

All substances that are abused should be investigated to prevent injury to the population. The aim of the present study is to detect the effect of short term Khat chewing on liver function, blood pressure and pulse of healthy volunteers. Experimental study was done on 9 young healthy volunteers between 24 and 26 years old. Informed consent of each individual was obtained. Bilirrubin, alanin transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and total protein were measured at 0 time, 3-hour time and 6- hour time after starting the Khat chewing, whereas values at 0 [zero] hour time were taken as a control. Blood pressures [systolic and diastolic] and pulse were recorded at the same time-order. Confidence interval was calculated, with 95% of certainty. The difference of mean values for paired samples was applied to compare test values. The results showed that, while there were significant changes in the values of the liver enzymes, alanin transaminase, alkaline phosphatase [within the normal range], blood pressure [systolic and diastolic] and the pulse, there was no significant changes in the values of bilirrubin and total protein during the time of Khat chewing. It was concluded that short term effect of Khat chewing did not produce major alteration on liver function, blood pressure and pulse