Effects of nicotine cycling on weight loss and regain in male rats.
Over successive periods of weight loss and regain caused by deprivation and refeeding, weight loss becomes slower during deprivation and weight is regained quicker during refeeding. One period of nicotine administration and termination results in changes in intake and weight gain comparable to that caused by one period of food deprivation and refeeding. However, no study has examined the effect of multiple periods of nicotine administration and cessation on weight loss and regain. The present study examined the effect of repeated cycles of nicotine administration and cessation on growth rate. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent three nicotine administration cycles. Cycles consisted of 2 weeks of nicotine or saline followed by 2 weeks of no drug. Nicotine administration decreased growth and food consumption, and cessation resulted in a resumption of normal growth and intake. However, changes in food consumption and body weight were similar across cycles. Thus, although nicotine administration and cessation produced reliable changes in food consumption and body weight similar to those caused by diet cycling, there were no comparable cumulative effects of nicotine cycling on growth rate.
Winders
S E
SE
Department of Psychology, Memphis State University, TN 38152.
Wilkins
D R
DR
Rushing
P A
PA
Dean
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
D009538:Nicotine