title: Inhaled nicotine in humans: effect on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
abstract: Inhalation of nicotine (0-64 mg/ml) and capsaicin (2 x 10(-6)-2.5 x 10(-4) M) in 24 healthy nonsmoking subjects produced a concentration-dependent cough response. Two subjects coughed to capsaicin but not to nicotine. The mean (95% confidence interval) nicotine concentrations causing two and five coughs were 5.5 (3.5-8.7) and 15.8 (10.0-25.1) mg/ml, respectively, and were reproducible over 3 different days. Capsaicin inhalation did not alter the response to nicotine and vice versa. Both agents increased respiratory resistance, but the response was more rapid to capsaicin. Inhalation of nicotine (0-8 mg/ml) over 5 min caused increases in heart rate and blood pressure and a decrease in skin temperature. Inhaled ipratropium bromide (0.50 mg) had an antitussive effect and also inhibited the nicotine-induced bronchoconstriction, indicating a vagally mediated effect. Sodium cromoglycate (0.20 mg) did not affect cough or airway resistance changes caused by nicotine. This study shows that inhaled nicotine produces a concentration-dependent cough and airway obstruction in healthy subjects, probably because of stimulation of afferent nerve endings in the bronchial mucosa and mediated through parasympathetic cholinergic pathways. Respiratory reflexes evoked by nicotine are similar to those produced by capsaicin, but it is unclear whether these reflexes are mediated by the same type of sensory nerves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Lung Medicine, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hansson
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Choudry
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Fuller
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D016084:Bronchoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009241:Ipratropium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine; D009241:Ipratropium; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium; D002211:Capsaicin