EFFECTS OF AMPHETAMINE ON HUMAN NASAL-MUCOSA

The present study was devised to determine the effects of amphetamine on the sympathetic function of human nasal mucosa. A tissue bath metho d was employed on the vitro preparations of nasal turbinate mucosa fro m adult patients with nasal allergies or hypertrophic rhinitis. The ef fects of amphetamine on the contractile response of isolated human nas al mucosal blood vessels were investigated following electrical field stimulation and methoxamine. The results showed that amphetamine inhib ited field stimulation and antagonized the effects on mucosal contract ion induced by methoxamine. Likewise, the drug increased mucosal basal tension but had local drug toxicity when a 10(-4) M solution was used . Amphetamine could potentiate mucosal contraction induced by norepine phrine or epinephrine. The study indicated that amphetamine may increa se sympathetic function by potentiating the effect of norepinephrine a nd that high concentrations of amphetamine may actually antagonize alp ha-adrenoceptors.