Effect of Catha edulis (khat) chewing on plasma lipid peroxidation.

The effect of regular khat (Catha edulis) chewing and the combination of khat chewing and smoking on plasma lipid peroxidation as a biomarker of oxidative stress and free radical activity (measured as plasma malondialdehyde, MDA), as well as on the lipid profiles were investigated. The fasting plasma levels of MDA were non-significantly higher in both groups (4% in khat chewers and 9.2% in khat chewers and smokers), whereas these levels were observed to be significantly increased at post meal and 2h through the khat session.

Effect of Catha edulis on plasma glucose and C-peptide in both type 2 diabetics and non-diabetics.

In this study, the effect of regular khat chewing on serum glucose and C-peptide levels were investigated in both healthy male individuals and type 2 diabetic patients. The results presented show the levels of glucose and C-peptide of healthy individuals to be non-significantly different between khat and non-khat chewers which may be due to the rapid release of insulin which prevents the sympathetic khat effect on rising serum glucose. On comparing both diabetic groups, those of khat chewers showed a non-significant increase of glucose levels at 0, 1 and 2 h of khat chewing.