What Happens When Methamphetamine Is Added to Nutrients of Cell Culture Medium? In Vitro Assessment of Morphological, Growth and Differential Potential of Wharton’s Jelly Stem Cells

Methamphetamine use and misuse cause severe side effects in different body organs and are associated with socioeconomic consequences. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro effect of methamphetamine on cell morphology, growth and differentiation potential in Wharton’s jelly stem cells (WJSCs) when added to the culturemedia. MTT assay was applied to assess the toxicity of recreational dose of 60 μg/mL of methamphetamine on WJSCs. The cells were characterized morphologically, by osteo- and adipo-genic differentiation potential and by flow cytometry. Population doubling time of stem cells was determined and after exposure to methamphetamine was comparedwith the control. WJSCs were adherent to culture flasks, were spindle shape and positive for osteo- and adipo-genic inductions and expressed mesenchymal markers, while lacking hematopoietic markers. Methamphetamine resulted in a reduction in cell proliferation and viability. Our results can be the first study evaluating the in vitro effect of methamphetamine on WJSCs at cellular level revealing a decrease in cell proliferation, and viability when cells were exposed and treated with methamphetamine. These findings can be added to the literature especially when methamphetamine is targeted for recreational purposes.