Nicotine in a small-to-moderate dose does not cause a significant increase in plasma catecholamine levels in newborn piglets.
BACKGROUND
Nicotine has a wide range of effects. Several studies are being undertaken investigating the positive effects on inflammation and apoptosis. Recently, nicotine has been investigated in a piglet model of perinatal asphyxia, where the question has been raised whether nicotine's effect on the sympathetic nervous system can explain some of the positive effects.


OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that nicotine in small-to-moderate doses would not cause a significant increase in plasma catecholamine levels, whereas a higher dose would give a significant effect, confirming the believed dose-dependent matter in which nicotine exerts its effect on the sympathetic nervous system.


METHODS
Seventeen anesthetized newborn piglets were randomized to one of three doses of nicotine (130, 260 or 1,000 microg/kg/h) that was given intravenously for 1 h. Blood samples for catecholamine analyzes were drawn at baseline and at the end of the infusion. Catecholamines were determined using HPLC.


RESULTS
No significant increase in catecholamines was detected in the animals treated with the small or moderate nicotine doses, whereas the higher dose gave a significant increase in adrenaline (p = 0.019).


CONCLUSIONS
Nicotine in small-to-moderate doses does not cause significant increase in plasma catecholamines, thus indicating that the positive effects of nicotine in studies using these doses most likely cannot be explained by the systemic release of catecholamines.
Andresen
Jannicke Hanne
JH
Department of Pediatric Research, Medical Faculty, Institute for Surgical Research, Rikshospitalet Medical Center, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. jannicke.andresen@rr-research.no
Godang
Kristin
K
Munkeby
Berit H
BH
Stray-Pedersen
Babill
B
Saugstad
Ola Didrik
OD
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D009538:Nicotine / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D010092:Oximetry; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine / Q000097:blood*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006454:Hemoglobins; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine