The Effects of Ephedrine

on the Lumbriculus
variegatus
Taylor Cecil, Chris Darlington,
and Paige Phillips
HCOP-PE 2008
Ephedrine Background
 Hypotheses
• We hypothesize that by exposing
Lumbriculus variegatus to ephedrine,
the pulsation rate will increase
compared to the control group.

• We hypothesize that ephedrine will

increase regeneration rate compared
to the control.
 Pulsation Rate
Experimental Design
 Regeneration Rate
Experimental Design
 Materials and Methods:
• Pulsations
Control Group- n=8 worms placed
individually in 2.5 mL of spring water.
• Treatment Group- n=8 worms placed
individually in 2.5 mL of 1% ephedrine
solution.
• Each group exposed for ten minutes, then
for twenty minutes.
• Removed worms individually and placed
them under a microscope to determine
number of pulsations/ minute.
• Mean and standard deviation were
calculated, and analysis of variance was
Pulsation Rates
Treatment
P<.0001

* Time P>0.05
 Materials and Methods:
Regeneration
• Control group- n=20 dissected worms
were placed in 2.5 mL of spring water.
• 1st treatment- n=20 dissected worms were
placed in 2.5 mL of 1% Ephedrine solution.
• 2nd treatment- n=20 dissected worms were
placed in 2.5 mL of .1% Ephedrine
solution.
• After dissecting the worms, they
regenerated in the dark for seven days,
and then the new growth of the worms
was counted. Statistical analysis was
Regeneration Rates
P<.0001

*
 Experiment Conclusions
• Worms exposed to ephedrine had
significantly higher pulsation rates;
however there was no time effect.

• Worms exposed to ephedrine had

significantly lower regeneration
rates. At the higher concentration,
regeneration rate was reduced by
75%, while the lower concentration
reduced it by 50%.
 Discussion
• Currently athletes use ephedrine to
gain an edge in sports; however, our
tests on the worms show that
prolonged exposure to ephedrine can
have adverse effects by stimulating
the vasculature and reducing body
generation.