European Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences 2021; 7(2): 21-26 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ejcbs doi: 10.11648/j.ejcbs.20210702.11 ISSN: 2575-4998 (Print); ISSN: 2575-5005 (Online) Tobacco Snuff Induced Comparative Weight Changes and Notable Physical Observations in Adults Albino Wistar Rats Chima Innocent Ugbor 1, * , Chidiebere Cyprian Vitus Eloka 1 , Charles Ikechukwu Ezema 2 , Uchechukwu Anthonia Ezeugwu 2 , Benson Eihebholoria Omijie 3 , Solomon Nwanze Ekoh 4 , Basil Nnaemeka Obodo 1 , Kenneth Emeka Udeme 5 1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria 2 Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria 3 Department of Chemical Pathology, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria 4 Department of Chemical Pathology, Medical Laboratory services, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria 5 National Obstetric Fistula Center, Abakaliki, Nigeria Email address: * Corresponding author To cite this article: Chima Innocent Ugbor, Chidiebere Cyprian Vitus Eloka, Charles Ikechukwu Ezema, Uchechukwu Anthonia Ezeugwu, Benson Eihebholoria Omijie, Solomon Nwanze Ekoh, Basil Nnaemeka Obodo, Kenneth Emeka Udeme. Tobacco Snuff Induced Comparative Weight Changes and Notable Physical Observations in Adults Albino Wistar Rats. European Journal of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences. Vol. 7, No. 2, 2021, pp. 21-26. doi: 10.11648/j.ejcbs.20210702.11 Received: August 28, 2020; Accepted: October 13, 2020; Published: March 22, 2021 Abstract: In Nigeria, tobacco snuff is the powdered form of smokeless tobacco blended with potash as its main additive. It has been discovered to have several adverse health effects, though perceived by many as safe. In this eight-week study, the effect of tobacco snuff consumption on body weight, physical observation and growth performance of Wistar rats were investigated. This study involved (42) Adult Wistar rats weighing 150-300g. They were divided into groups of tests and control, group A serving as control, while groups B, C and D of 12 Wister rats each served as the test groups. The test groups were further divided into subgroups (1, 2, 3 and 4) representing four experimental phases of 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively. The rats were fed with varying doses of tobacco snuff, while the control group (A) received feed pallets and water ad libitum. Throughout the study, serial physical and behavioural changes of the rats were recorded as well as the body weights of the rats before sacrifice. Results showed statistically significant weight changes in the test groups throughout the study period as compared with the control. On growth performance, there was an average daily growths increase in the control but decreased in the test groups in a dosage and duration dependent manner. Our findings however, indicate that tobacco snuff has the potentials of body weight reduction and could induce severe growth retardation with adversities. Keywords: Tobacco Snuff, Additives, Weight Changes, Physical Observations, Rat 1. Introduction Ugbor et al. [1] Stated That With regards to the existing information (s) on tobacco snuff, some studies have advocated its use as safe under certain conditions, however others stated in the contrary. Based on this, Tuner as reported by Ugbor et al [1] stated that snuff has become quite popular medication for pain and aches. Although, reports have it that tobacco snuff has been implicated with several systemic and organ damage in which [2] reported induced alterations in renal functions. Owing to the strive by scientists to discover ways to reduce systemic health challenges through food fortifications, [3, 4] stated that the human body system itself has a measure of developing a defensive mechanism that enables the storage of energy thereby increasing the chance of survival during food scarcity/shortage and prolonged starvation and this is done by