Cell Cycle and Morphological Changes Induced 'In vitro' in Spleen Cells after Exposure to Phenylpropanolamine, Caffeine and Ephedrine Singularly and in Combination

摘要

The Food and Drug Administration has been involved in informing the public about the dangers involved in the illicit use of cocaine substitutes and so called 'legal stimulants' in vogue since 1982 (1,4,5,8). These legal stimulants are composed of phenylpropanolamine, caffeine and ephedrine. As late as May 1984, FDA was reporting on drug seizures of 20 million drug products containing combinations of caffeine + phenylpropanolamine + ephedrine (7). Phenylpropanolamine, a vasoconstrictor and bronchodilator, is sold over the counter as a diet aid and nasal decongestant (5). In previous work the authors showed that PPA acts as a block to spleen cells at the G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle at 100 micrograms/ml (2). Caffeine, a CNS, respiratory and cardiac stimulant, like PPA, blocked spleen cells in the G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle (3,6). Ephedrine, a vasoconstrictor and anti-allergic agent, has not been tested in our system and its effect on the cell cycle has not been verified.