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.