title: Immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of nicotine administered by patch in an animal model.
abstract: To study the immunological effects of nicotine, there are several rodent models for chronic nicotine administration. These models include subcutaneously implanted miniosmotic pumps, nicotine-spiked drinking water, and self-administration via jugular cannulae. Administration of nicotine via these routes affects the immune system. Smokers frequently use nicotine patches to quit smoking, and the immunological effects of nicotine patches are largely unknown. To determine whether the nicotine patch affects the immune system, nicotine patches were affixed daily onto the backs of Lewis rats for 3 to 4 weeks. The patches efficiently raised the levels of nicotine and cotinine in serum and strongly inhibited the antibody-forming cell response of spleen cells to sheep red blood cells. The nicotine patch also suppressed the concanavalin A-induced T-cell proliferation and mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) by spleen cells, as well as the fever response of animals to subcutaneous administration of turpentine. Moreover, immunosuppression was associated with chronic activation of protein tyrosine kinase and phospholipase C-gamma1 activities. Thus, in this animal model of nicotine administration, the nicotine patch efficiently raises the levels of nicotine and cotinine in serum and impairs both the immune and inflammatory responses.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Division, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA.
authors.forename: Roma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.forename: Shashi P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pena-Philippides
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Langley
authors.forename: Seddigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Razani-Boroujerdi
authors.forename: Mohan L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sopori
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D003367:Cotinine / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D051966:Phospholipase C gamma; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014425:Turpentine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010738:Type C Phospholipases / Q000378:metabolism; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D003208:Concanavalin A; D009538:Nicotine; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D010738:Type C Phospholipases; D051966:Phospholipase C gamma; D003367:Cotinine; D014425:Turpentine