Abstract
Calabash chalk is a geological substance that is widely consumed in West African nations for recreational purposes and also to alleviate nausea in expectant mothers. This study was aimed on tracking biochemical changes associated with consumption of calabash chalk in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Experimental groups aged 18-61 years were made into 3 with the control group having 25 participants that had not consumed calabash chalk, experimental group one having 25 participants who had consumed calabash chalk for < 2 years and experimental group two having 25 participants who had consumed calabash chalk for 2-5 years. Subsequently, five milliliter of blood specimen was withdrawn from each of the participants via venipuncture technique into lithium heparin anti-coagulated bottles respectively. These specimens were spun for 2,500 revolution/minute and the plasma separated was used for the measurement of the following biochemical parameters: alanine aminotransferase (colorimetric method), aspartate aminotransferase (colorimetric method), C-reactive protein (latex turbidimetry method), interleukin-6 (elascience method), urea (urease berthelot method), creatinine (Jaffe reaction method), troponin-1 (immune turbidimetry method) and creatinineKinase-MB (immune inhibition method). The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 statistical package. No statistically significant differences were shown in the mean values of alanine aminotransferase (11.38 ± 1.45) U/L, (p = 0.90), aspartate aminotransferase (10.22 ± 1.37) U/L, (p = 0.95), C-reactive protein (4.82 ± 0.76) mg/L, (p = 0.96), interleukin-6 (9.76 ± 1.03) pg/ml, (p = 0.81), urea (7.87 ± 1.76) mmol/L, (p = 0.91), creatinine (72.42 ± 3.73) µmol/L, (p = 0.87), troponin-1 (1.29 ± 0.36) ×10-2 IU/L, (p = 0.77) and creatinineKinase-MB (3.42 ± 0.73) IU/L,(p = 0.82) in experimental group one participants as compared to that of the control group alanine aminotransferase (11.35 ± 1.40) U/L, aspartate aminotransferase (10.20 ± 1.36) U/L, C-reactive protein (4.80 ± 0.75) mg/L, interleukin-6 (9.74 ± 1.02) pg/ml, urea (7.85 ± 1.74) mmol/L, creatinine (72.40 ± 3.71) µmol/L troponin-1 (1.28 ± 0.31) ×10-2 IU/L, and creatinineKinase-MB (3.40 ± 0.71) IU/L, while that of experimental group two participants showed statistical significant elevations (p = 0.03) and (p = 0.04) in the mean values of alanine aminotransferase (16.40 ± 2.10) U/L and aspartate aminotransferase (14.48 ± 1.92) U/L as compared to the control group (11.35 ± 1.40) U/L and (10.20 ± 1.36) U/L respectively. This elevation may be associated with the chronic ingestion of lead and arsenic which are one of the compositions of calabash chalk. However, the other biochemical parameters revealed no significant alterations (p>0.05). Ingestion of this chalk for 2-5 years also revealed no negative effects such as gastrointestinal tract anorexia, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stimulation of appetite among the consumers. In conclusion, chronic consumption of this chalk for 2-5 years may influence hepatotoxicity. Thus this chalk should be consumed with caution.

Key words: Bayelsa State, Biochemical changes, Calabash chalk, Chronic consumption, Nigeria, Yenagoa