Recently, abusers have begun using ketamine for recreation and dissociation,
which is known among them by other famous street names such as Kit-Kat, Special K,
Thirty-two-hole, Super K, Cat Valium, and Special Klub when combined with ethanol.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the toxicological effects of ketamine and ethanol
administration on the kidneys of albino rats (a biochemical and histopathological study).
The total study period was 4 weeks. Thirty-two adult albino rats were divided into four
groups, as follows: control group (Group I): eight rats received intraperitoneal (IP) 1.0 ml
of 0.9% saline solution and by gavage 1.0 ml of distilled water; group II: eight rats
received (IP) ketamine (25 mg/kg/d) diluted in 0.9% saline solution and by gavage 1.0 ml
of distilled water; group III: eight rats received (IP) 1.0 ml of 0.9% saline solution and by
gavage (5g ethanol/kg body weight/24h); and group IV: eight rats received (IP) ketamine
(25 mg/kg/d) diluted in 0.9% saline solution and by gavage (5g ethanol/kg body
weight/24h). This study assessed blood urea and creatinine levels, oxidative stress indices,
determination of the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in renal tissue, and
histopathological examination of kidney tissue with a light microscope and transmission
electron microscope (T.E.M.). Results showed an increase in blood urea and serum
creatinine levels with degenerative changes in the kidney.