Effect of acute administration of amphetamine sulphate on some hormones, metabolites and enzymes in serum of rat

An acute dose of amphetamine sulfate [50 mg/kg] was administered intraperitoneally to rats. The results obtained indicated that blood glucose level showed a highly significant decrease in acutely treated animals. Marked and significant increases were recorded in serum insulin and thyroxine [T4], while nonsignificant increase was recorded in triiodothyronine [T3] in rats treated with acute amphetamine. The cholesterol and triglyceride levels exhibited significant decrease in serum of rats after acute administration. Total lipids and phospholipids did not change significantly. A marked increase in serum protein concentration was recorded. On the other hand, the serum total free amino acids level showed a significant decline which might suggest that the protein biosynthesis was stimulated in rats following amphetamine treatment. The serum GOT and GPT activities exhibited highly significant increases and nonsignificant increase was recorded in alkaline phosphatase activity after acute administration of amphetamine. Elevation of serum GOT and GPT levels reflects hepatocellular damage in response to drug administration. It is proposed that the acute effect of amphetamine is related to the marked hypermetabolic state, which is produced by high doses