title: Mechanisms of disease: nicotine--a review of its actions in the context of gastrointestinal disease.
abstract: Smoking tobacco is associated with a number of gastrointestinal disorders. In some, such as Crohn's disease and peptic ulcer disease, it increases the risk of disease and has a detrimental effect on their course. In others, such as ulcerative colitis, it decreases the risk of disease and can have a favorable effect on disease course and severity. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, nicotine was used as a 'panacea' for various ailments, including abdominal symptoms--it is now under investigation to elucidate its role in gastrointestinal diseases that are associated with smoking. The actions of nicotine are complex; it is likely that its effects on the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and immune system interact with other risk factors, such as genetic susceptibility, to influence disease outcomes. This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of nicotine that might be relevant in gastrointestinal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK. gareth.thomas2@uhw-tr.wales.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Gareth A O
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rhodes
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ingram
mesh_terms: D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine