title: Nicotinic regulation of energy homeostasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ability of nicotine, the primary psychoactive substance in tobacco smoke, to regulate appetite and body weight is one of the factors cited by smokers that prevents them from quitting and is the primary reason for smoking initiation in teenage girls. The regulation of feeding and metabolism by nicotine is complex, and recent studies have begun to identify nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes and circuits or cell types involved in this regulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We will briefly describe the primary anatomical and functional features of the input, output, and central integration structures of the neuroendocrine systems that regulate energy homeostasis. Then, we will describe the nAChR subtypes expressed in these structures in mammals to identify the possible molecular targets for nicotine. Finally, we will review the effects of nicotine and its withdrawal on feeding and energy metabolism and attribute them to potential central and peripheral cellular targets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125, Modena, Italy. michele.zoli@unimore.it
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zoli
authors.forename: Marina R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Picciotto
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005502:Food; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000378:metabolism; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D009538:Nicotine