Abstract
In order to verify the hypothesis that the fetopathic actions of caffeine are linked with released catecholamines by caffeine in maternal or fetal tissues of mice (Fujii and Nishimura, 1974; Fujii, 1976), we investigated the effects of pargyline, a MAO inhibitor, and cocaine, which potentiates the action of catecholamines, on the fetopathy induced by caffeine. In the first experiment pregnant mice on day 13 of gestation were given a single oral administration of 50, 100 or 200mg/kg pargyline and immediately thereafter a single ip injection of 175mg/kg caffeine. In the second experiment pregnant mice on day 13 of gestation were treated sc with 10 or 20mg/kg cocaine and immediately thereafter 175 mg/kg caffeine. For making comparisons, the pregnant mice in the other groups received either distilled water, saline, pargyline 200 or 400mg/kg, cocaine 20 or 60mg/kg or caffeine 175 mg/kg in the same way as in the experimental groups. Fetuses were externally examined for abnormalities on day 19 of gestation. Administration of 400mg/kg pargyline or 60mg/kg cocaine, which were close to maternal toxic dosage levels, did not affect adversely embryonic development. The fetopathic effects of caffeine were significantly enhanced by combined treatment of pargyline at 100 or 200mg/kg or cocaine at 10 or 20mg/kg. These results suggested a possibility that a combination of pargyline or cocaine potentiated the action of the released catecholamines by caffeine and led to increased fetal abnormalities.
