Nicotine potentiates superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils.
Cytotoxic neutrophil-derived oxygen radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and neoplastic disorders for which cigarette smoking is a prominent risk factor. Although nicotine alone failed to provoke neutrophil oxidative metabolism, the alkaloid caused dose-dependent (0.1 to 10 microM) potentiation of superoxide anion release induced by either phorbol myristate acetate or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. The potentiating effect of nicotine was not attenuated by either atropine or hexamethonium nor was it mimicked by acetylcholine, suggesting involvement of noncholinergic receptors or a membrane-fluidizing effect of the alkaloid. Nicotine-induced exacerbation of neutrophil superoxide anion production may be involved with the enhanced risk of cardiovascular, pulmonary, or neoplastic disease in individuals who smoke.
D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
D013481:Superoxides; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D009538:Nicotine; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate