Effects of Psychotropic Drugs on DNA Synthesis in Cultured Lymphocytes

Abstract

Summary

Commonly used psychotropic drugs in concentrations of 10⁻⁶-10⁻⁴ M exert an inhibitory effect on DNA synthesis as measured by ³H thymidine uptake into cultured lymphocytes. This effect is correlated with the octanol water partition coefficient (liposolubility) of these drugs (p < 0.001). It is suggested that this inhibition of macromo-lecular synthesis is a general effect exerted on all cells and requires micro to millimolar concentrations which may be reached only during chronic consumption. By contrast, the stereo selective effect of these compounds is exerted with nanomolar concentration on the receptor sites of biomembranes of the central nervous system.