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. Post meal increase of plasma MDA could be attributed partially to the meal-induced oxidative stress and the possible decrease in the overall antioxidant capacity. This increase in plasma levels of MDA in both tested groups were found to be higher in the control group suggesting the presence of other contributing factors beside the meal-induced oxidative stress. Plasma levels of MDA were observed to fall slightly 2h through the khat session over the post meal levels, suggesting a lack of additive effect of khat consumption. Plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were shown to be non-significantly affected in this study by khat chewing or by the combination of khat chewing and smoking.
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