title: Effect of calabash chalk on the histomorphology of the gastro-oesophageal tract of growing wistar rats.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calabash chalk caused histological changes to the stomach and the oesophagus that may lead to other pathophysiological conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, PMB 1017, Uyo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: B Ekong
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Moses
authors.forename: E John
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Emma
authors.forename: C Mbadugha
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Christopher
authors.forename: Bassey
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Enobong I
authors.forename: B Ekanem
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Theresa