Nicotine induced pro-oxidant and antioxidant imbalance in rat lymphocytes: in vivo dose and time dependent approaches.

The immune cells use reactive oxygen species (ROS) for carrying out their normal functions while an excess amount of ROS can attack cellular components that lead to cell damage. The present study was undertaken to determine the dose as well as time dependent effects of nicotine administration on the superoxide anion generation, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense systems in lymphocytes. Male Wistar rats were treated with vehicle (normal saline) and nicotine [3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl) pyridine, C(10)H(14)N(2)] (in physiological saline, pH was adjusted at 7.4 prior to injection) as indicated in a dose and duration fashion and the superoxide anion generation, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes status were monitored. Superoxide anion generation, lipid peroxidation and oxidized glutathione levels were increased significantly (P < 0.05), and reduced glutathione level, activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-s-transferase were decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increasing dose and duration of nicotine treatment. The highest changes in lymphocytes were observed at the dose of 1.0 mg/kg/day for 7 days. It may be concluded that nicotine is able to enhance the production of ROS that produced oxidative stress in lymphocytes in a dose and time dependent manner.