title: N (G)-nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester Protects Against Hormonal Imbalances Associated with Nicotine Administration in Male Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The administration of nicotine is associated with altered hormonal imbalances and increased serum and testicular nitric oxide (NO) level.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to investigate the effects of NO inhibition with N (G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on altered hormonal imbalance in adult male albinorats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were administered with 0.5 mg/kg body weight (BW) and 1.0 mg/kg BW nicotine and were treated with L-NAME in the drinking water or drinking water alone for 30 days. Serum was analyzed for testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin using radioimmunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nicotine administration significantly decreased (P < 0.05) testosterone in the low and high dose treated groups and FSH in the high dose treated group when compared with the control group. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in mean LH and prolactin level in the high dose treated group when compared with the control. Concomitant treatment with nicotine and L-NAME produced significant increases in testosterone and FSH, and a decrease in prolactin in 1.0 mg/kg BW. L-NAME alone did not lead to a significant increase in testosterone when compared with control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate that the suppressive effects of nicotine on testosterone level of the adult male rat can be prevented by NOS blockade with L-NAME. It appears that these beneficial effects are mediated primarily within the gonad; however, the involvement of the pituitary cannot be totally ruled out.
authors: Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Osun, Nigeria ; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Physiology, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
authors: Ibukun P
authors: IP
authors: Oyeyipo
authors: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Raji
authors: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria.
authors: Adeyombo F
authors: AF
authors: Bolarinwa
keywords: Nicotine; Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor; Rats; Testosterone