The Effects Of Pseudoephedrine On
The Heart Rate Of The 120 Hour
Chick Embryo
The Pennsylvania State University
Berks-Lehigh Valley College
John Boutros
Hosam Kamhia
Dr. Jacqueline McLaughlin

Pseudoephedrine solutions were obtained by a
serial dilution of Nyquil™ liquid.

Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine
which provides temporary relief of nasal and sinus
congestion.

Irregular or fast heartbeats may occur along with
vasoconstriction of blood vessels, worsen pH,
increase in blood pressure, palpitations of the
heart and irregular heart rhythms

The chemical structure of Pseudoephedrine
is similar to that of the psychostimulant
amphetimine, both are classified as
sympathiomimetic drugs.

Sympathiomimetic drugs produce
physiological effects resembling those
caused by the activity or stimulation of the
sympathetic nervous system
Palpitations
 Tachycardia
 Increased Blood Pressure


Pseudoephedrine directly affects the CNS
by inhibiting the re-uptake of the
neurotransmitter, dopamine. This causes
increased stimulation of the “pleasure
pathways” in the Limbic System. This may
lead to addiction.
Our purpose is to apply different concentrations of
Psuedoephedrine to an explanted in-vitro chick
embryo, and an increased heart rate will be noted.

Prepare serial dilutions of Nyquil® (Pseudoephedrine) in chick’s
saline.
0.0005%
0.005%
0.05%

Obtain a 120-hour chick embryo and place into glass dish lined with
cotton.
Place Scotch tape along axis on
the top of the egg.

Puncture small hole with needle in
top of the egg, withdraw 1-2 ml of
albumen. Proceed to cut an oval
opening (“Window” Technique, Cruz
1993).


Record the in-vivo heart rate for
5 times.

“Explant” the chick embryo by
placing a paper doughnut over
the embryo and cut surrounding
membranes. Then transfer the
embryo to the glass dish filled
with the warm chick saline
(“Explant” Technique after Cruz
1993).




Record the in-vitro heart rate
for 5 times.
Place the 0.05%, 0.005%,
0.0005% Pseudoephedrine
concentrations in separate glass
dishes.
Place the in-vitro heart into each
different glass dishes containing
the Pseudoephedrine
concentrations.
Record heart rate 5 times for
each concentration.
160
140
120
100
BPM
Embryo 1
Embryo 2
Embryo 3
Embryo 4
Embryo 5
80
60
40
20
0
Invivo
Invitro
180
160
140
120
0.0005%
0.005%
0.05%
0.05%
100
80
60
40
20
0
Trail 1
Trail 2
Trail 3
Trail 4
Trail 5
160
155
150
145
140
0.0005%
0.005%
0.05%
135
130
125
120
115
Trail 1
Trail 2
Trail 3
Trail 4
Trail 5
160
140
120
100
0.0005%
0.005%
0.05%
80
60
40
20
0
Trail 1
Trail 2
Trail 3
Trail 4
Trail 5
160
140
120
100
0.0005%
0.005%
0.05%
80
60
40
20
0
Trail 1
Trail 2
Trail 3
Trail 4
Trail 5
140
120
100
80
0.0005%
0.005%
0.05%
60
40
20
0
Trail 1
Trail 2
Trail 3
Trail 4
Trail 5

Overall the embryonic heart rate increased by
applying various concentrations of
Pseudoephedrine. Double beating, fibrillation,
tachycardia, and ultimately cardiac arrest had
occurred.

Our hypothesis was supported. The greatest effect
on the chick embryo heart was the 0.05%
concentration of pseudoephedrine. Double beating,
fibrillation, tachycardia, and ultimately cardiac
arrest had occurred.




McCain, E.R. and McLaughlin J.S. “Developmental and
Physiological Aspects of the Chicken Embryonic Heart.” 1999.
http://www.lv.psu.edu/jxm57/chicklab/
“WebMD Health.” Drugs and Herbs.
http://my.webmd.com/content/drugs/1/4046_1256?
(02/19/2003)
Cruz, Y.P. 1993.Laboratory Exercises In Development Biology.
Academic Press, San Diego, California, page 241. [INSB 0-12198390-0][book]
CAFDIS-http://www.cafdis-antidoping.net/en/article.asp?articleid=337
2003.