title: Microcirculatory effects of nicotine and related alkaloids.
abstract: To determine the effects of nicotine alkaloids on the microcirculation of a variety of tissues, we infused equimolar concentrations (10(-4)-10(-1) M) of 1-nicotine (N), nor-nicotine (NN), dihydro-metanicotine (DHN) in the skeletal muscle, in a skin flap chamber, and in a saline-perfused mesentery preparation of the rat (WistHan). The qualitative and quantitative responses to these equimolar concentrations were measured by modern microcirculatory techniques. Our data showed that 1-nicotine and its alkaloids differ significantly in dose-dependency, maximal vasoactivity, tissue specificity, and microvascular localization. In conclusion, the small differences in the chemical structure of the pyridine ring which distinguishes the alkaloids cause significantly different microvascular effects.
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery / Q000098:blood supply; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D009538:Nicotine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D014661:Vasoconstriction
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D007306:Insecticides; C042938:3,4-dihydrometanicotine; D009538:Nicotine; C005311:nornicotine; C002398:myosmine