Reversion of the Effect of Vitamin B₁ on Yeast Fermentation as a Result of Growth in the Presence of Cocaine

Abstract

IN order to test the hypothesis (unpublished) that the habit-forming properties of certain drugs might be due to their ability to induce adaptive changes in the enzyme systems of cells and tissues, we have made comparative studies of the effects of cocaine on the respiration and fermentation of pure strains of yeasts, previously grown in the presence and in the absence of cocaine. A detailed report of this work will be published elsewhere. In brief, we find that cocaine in 0.004 M concentration depresses the respiration (Torulopsis utilis, var. major, type No. 6593) and the ferment ation (Saccharomyces cerevisiæ, type No. 815) of the washed cells in glucose and phosphate buffer at pH 7.0, but is without effect at pH 6.0. Some degree of tolerance towards the drug appears to be established, as the depressant effect is less with cells that had been grown in the presence of cocaine.