Progesterone effects on subjective and physiological responses to intravenous nicotine in male and female smokers.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies suggest possible modulatory effects of progesterone on nicotine addiction. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of progesterone, on acute physiological and subjective responses to intravenous (IV) nicotine in overnight abstinent male and female smokers.


METHODS
Twelve smokers, six males and six females, participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, which consisted of two experimental sessions. Before each session, subjects were treated orally with a single dose of either 200 mg progesterone or placebo. Starting 2 h following the medication treatment, subjects received an IV saline injection, followed by 0.5 and 1.0 mg/70 kg IV nicotine.


RESULTS
Progesterone treatment, compared to placebo, enhanced the ratings of "bad effects," from IV nicotine and attenuated the rating of "drug liking." Progesterone also enhanced suppression of smoking urges by nicotine as assessed by the Brief Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (BQSU).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that progesterone may alter the subjective effects of nicotine as well as urges to smoke cigarettes. Further studies are warranted to examine the modulation of nicotine's effects by gonadal hormones.
Sofuoglu
Mehmet
M
Department of Psychiatry and VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, Connecticut 06516, USA. Mehmet.Sofuoglu@yale.edu
Mitchell
Ellen
E
Mooney
Marc
M
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011372:Progestins / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011372:Progestins; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D009538:Nicotine