Discriminative stimulus properties of the optical isomers of nicotine.
Rats were trained to discriminate 200 or 400 microgram/kg (-)nicotine from saline in a two-bar operant paradigm. Dose-response relationships for optically pure (-)- and (+)nicotine as well as antagonistic effects were examined in both groups of rats. The natural isomer (-)nicotine was approximately nine-times more potent than (+)nicotine. Mecamylamine produced equal blockade of the (-)- and (+)nicotine cues. Hexamethonium and atropine were without effect. These data demonstrate the possible stereospecificity of the central nicotinic receptor that mediates the stimulus effect produced by nicotine.
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006584:Hexamethonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008464:Mecamylamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011287:Prejudice / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D006584:Hexamethonium Compounds; D008464:Mecamylamine; D009538:Nicotine