Abstract
Background and aimKratom, or Mitragyna speciosa Korth., is a tropical plant that has been reported to exhibit opioid-like effects. Although opioids have been demonstrated to alter the lipid profile of regular users, data on the lipid-altering effects of kratom are scarce. This study aimed to compare the fasting lipid profile of regular kratom users to that of healthy subjects who do not use kratom. It also determined the association between various characteristics of kratom users and the serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels of regular kratom users.MethodsA total of 200 participants (n = 100 kratom users and n = 100 healthy subjects who do not use kratom) were recruited for this analytical cross-sectional study. Data on sociodemographic status, kratom use characteristics, cigarette smoking, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), fasting serum lipid profile, and liver function were collected from all participants.ResultsThe liver parameters of the study participants were within normal range. The serum total cholesterol and LDL of kratom users were significantly lower than those of healthy subjects who do not use kratom. There were no significant differences in the serum triglyceride and HDL levels. However, higher average daily frequency of kratom use and increasing age were associated with increased serum total cholesterol among kratom users. Other kratom use characteristics such as age of first kratom intake, duration of kratom use, and quantity of daily kratom intake were not associated with increased serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL levels.ConclusionsOur findings suggest regular kratom consumption was not linked to elevated serum lipids, except when there is a higher frequency of daily kratom intake. However, the study was limited by the small sample size, and hence a more comprehensive study with larger sample size is warranted to confirm the findings.
Highlights
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) is a tropical plant, which can be found ubiquitously in Southeast Asia, such as in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia [1]
There were no significant differences in the serum triglyceride and highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) levels
Other kratom use characteristics such as age of first kratom intake, duration of kratom use, and quantity of daily kratom intake were not associated with increased serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and HDL levels
Summary
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) is a tropical plant, which can be found ubiquitously in Southeast Asia, such as in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia [1]. Despite the widespread sales of kratom products on the internet and convenience stores in the United States, and being backed by positive customer reviews regarding kratom’s painrelieving effects [5,6,7], hitherto the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approve kratom use, as the herbal plant is alleged to have various risks, such as addiction, abuse, and dependence [9]. Mitragyna speciosa Korth., is a tropical plant that has been reported to exhibit opioid-like effects. This study aimed to compare the fasting lipid profile of regular kratom users to that of healthy subjects who do not use kratom. It determined the association between various characteristics of kratom users and the serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) levels of regular kratom users
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