Clinical safety of long-term administration of gossypol in 32 cases.

Thirty-two men have taken gossypol acetic acid for long periods (6-10 years). The users had side effects during the entire course. Serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) was increased in 3 cases and persisted for more than a year. There was a downward trend in plasma potassium level during the loading phase. But, hypokalaemic paralysis did not occur. Results of semen analysis showed that the shorter the duration of gossypol administration, the higher the recovery rate. The positive rate of Et formation of peripheral blood lymphocytes was remarkably decreased. After cessation of gossypol for 6-12 months, Et formation of the group stopping drug showed a recovering trend, but had not recovered to normal. The IgG level in the serum of treatment group was decreased, but was still within normal range.