1 research outputs found
Effect of Calabash Chalk on the Histomorphology of the Gastro-Oesophageal Tract of Growing Wistar Rats
Background: Calabash chalk is a naturally occurring mineral consumed by
members of some Nigerian communities for pleasure and by pregnant women
as a remedy for morning sickness. The consumption of this geophagic
material motivated our interest on the effect of the chalk on the
histomorphology of the gastro-oesophageal tract. Methods: Twenty-eight
young Wistar rats, 4 weeks old, were divided into 4 groups of equal
size. Group 1 animals served as controls and received 1 mL of distilled
water. Groups 2, 3, and 4 received orally 1 mL of a Calabash chalk
suspension containing 40 mg/mL for 14, 21, and 28 days, respectively.
Upon completion of the treatments, the animals in groups 2, 3, and 4
were sacrificed on days 15, 22, and 29, respectively, and the control
group animals were sacrificed on day 29. All animals were euthanised
using chloroform anaesthesia. The oesophagus and the stomach of each
animal were dissected out and routinely processed for histological
studies. Results: There was oedema with haemorrhages in the mucosa of
the stomach, and acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, and koilocytic changes
were observed in the mucosa of the oesophagus of the groups treated
with 40 mg/mL of Calabash chalk suspension. Conclusion: Calabash chalk
caused histological changes to the stomach and the oesophagus that may
lead to other pathophysiological conditions