Abstract
The toxicity and catecholamine releasing action of d- and l-amphetamine were studied in isolated and in aggregated mice. d-Amphetamine was more toxic than the l-isomer under both isolated and aggregated conditions. Although aggregation increased the toxicity to both d- and l-amphetamine, the effect with the d-isomer was much more pronounced. In isolated mice, d-amphetamine reduced the norepinephrine content in the heart and brain but had little effect upon the adrenal content of catecholamines. Higher doses of l-amphetamine produced similar effects. Aggregation markedly enhanced the norepinephrine-depleting action of d-amphetamine but not that of l-amphetamine. It is proposed that the release of endogenous stores of norepinephrine plays a role in the enhanced toxicity of d-amphetamine in aggregated mice.
Footnotes
- Received May 28, 1963.
- Accepted June 25, 1963.
- The Williams & Wilkins Company
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