Effect of chronic administration of DL-amphetamine and fenfluramine on adrenocortical functions and on certain aspects of carbohydrate and fat metabolism.

Chronic treatment of rats with amphetamine (4 mg/kg body mass) or fenfluramine (10 mg/kg body mass) might have stimulating effects on adrenocortical function. This was indicated by the significant decrease in adrenal cholesterol, ascorbic acid, glycogen, and the increase in adrenal phosphorylase activity. Both 17-oxo (17-OS) and 17-hydroxy-corticosteroids (17-OHS) were also increased by fenfuramine, while only 17-OHS was increased by amphetamine. Amphetamine did not affect plasma glucose, liver glycogen and phosphorylase activity, while fenfluramine increased liver glycogen but did not affect plasma glucose or liver phosphorylase activity. The drugs markedly increased plasma free fatty acids (FFA) which might indicate increased lipolysis.