Impact of drugs approved for treating ADHD on the cell survival and energy metabolism: an in-vitro study in human neuronal and immune cells.

The oxidative and antioxidative properties of psychostimulants such as methylphenidate and amphetamine are discussed controversially. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of psychostimulants and atomoxetine in different concentrations between 31.25 and 5000 ng/ml on the survival of human neuronal (neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y) and immune (monocytic U-937) cells and the impact of psychostimulants and atomoxetine in different concentrations between 500 and 5000 ng/ml on energy metabolism (adenosine triphosphate [ATP] content) in SH-SY5Y cells. Statistical analysis revealed that incubation for 24 h with amphetamine led to a significantly enhanced cell survival in both cell lines after treatment with various (32.5, 125, 250 and 1250 ng/ml) concentrations. Methylphenidate and atomoxetine induced a significantly enhanced cell survival at lower concentrations in the SH-SY5Y cell line, whereas in the U-937 cell line higher concentrations increased the cell survival. Incubation with the highest concentration of methylphenidate (5000 ng/ml) caused a significant reduction of cell survival in both cell types. Measurement of ATP contents in the neuronal cell line revealed no significant effects of the investigated compounds. Our results show that the examined substances exert concentration-dependent effects on cell survival in both applied cell lines.