Abstract

The use of Cannabis sativa is on the increase worldwide especially among adolescents and youths. This study investigated the effect of cannabis smoking on renal functions in young and apparently healthy male students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus, Anambra state, Nigeria. A total of 60 male (40 cannabis smokers and 20 controls) subjects participated in this study. A well-structured questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic data and anthropometric of subjects. Thereafter, 5mls of fasting blood sample was collected from the subjects into plain container for the estimation of biochemical parameters (creatinine, urea, uric acid, electrolytes). Renal parameters were estimated using standard methods. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using paired student t-test and pearson r correlation. Result showed that the mean serum levels of urea, creatinine, K⁺, Na⁺, Cl^-, ionized calcium, total calcium, total carbon dioxide, anion gap, and pH were not significantly different in both smokers and control subjects(p>0.05). However, there was significantly higher mean serum level of uric acid (2.42 ± 38.54 vs 1.92 ± 41.61; p<0.05) and total calcium (16.0 ± 0.30 vs 10.24 ± 0.18; p<0.05) in smokers compared with control subjects. Again, BMI was significantly higher in smokers compared with non-smokers (23.96 ± 3.15; p<0.05 Vs 21.95 ± 2.17; p<0.05). Therefore, cannabis use had no deleterious effect on the kidneys, but the significantly higher uric acid levels in the smokers may provide some anti-oxidant protection. However, further studies are necessary to further unravel the full potentials of cannabis use.