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Alzahrani MA, Alsahli MA, Alarifi FF, Hakami BO, Alkeraithe FW, Alhuqbani M, Aldosari Z, Aldosari O, Almhmd AE, Binsaleh S, Almannie R. A Narrative Review of the Toxic Effects on Male Reproductive and Sexual Health of Chewing the Psychostimulant, Catha edulis (Khat). Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e939455. [PMID: 37002591 PMCID: PMC10075001 DOI: 10.12659/msm.939455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a stimulating narcotic grown mainly in East and Southern Africa. The plant has a long history as a popular social behavior within these regions, and its active ingredient, cathinone, has been thought to cause an array of physical, psychological, and mental health complications. In 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified it as an illicit substance due to the potential for psychological dependence. Subsequent investigations have found that its regular consumption can negatively impact the human central nervous system (CNS), systemic blood pressure, genitourinary system, and psychological health. This narrative review aims to discuss the reproductive toxicity and sexual dysfunction (SD) caused by regular khat usage in humans and experimental animals. Animal studies found dose-dependent impacts on male reproductive health: low levels increased testosterone production, whereas high levels had the opposite effects. Moderate intake was associated with reduced luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and heightened cortisol in blood plasma. In human studies, chronic users had dramatically lower semen volume, sperm motility, and count, as well as reduced libido or erectile dysfunction (ED). Khat can have serious implications for male fertility and sexual health: therefore, better understanding of its effects is paramount. This article aims to review the toxic effects on the male reproductive and sexual health of chewing the psychostimulant, Catha edulis (khat).
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Affiliation(s)
- Meshari A. Alzahrani
- Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Basel O. Hakami
- Department of Urology, King Faisal Medical City for Southern Region (KFMC), Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Zyad Aldosari
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Aldosari
- College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Saleh Binsaleh
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raed Almannie
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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