Laura E Rupprecht1, Tracy T Smith2, Eric C Donny2, Alan F Sved3,4,5. 1. Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, PA. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, PA. 3. Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. 4. Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. 5. Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The action of nicotine to suppress body weight is often cited as a factor impacting smoking initiation and the failure to quit. Despite the weight-suppressant effects of nicotine, smokers and nonsmokers report equal daily caloric intake. The weight-suppressive effects of nicotine in animal models of smoking are poorly understood. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration has authority to implement a policy markedly reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes; such a reduction could reduce smoking behavior, but have detrimental effects on body weight. The aim of this investigation was to examine the effects of self-administered nicotine on body weight and food intake in rats. METHODS: In Experiment 1, rats with ad libitum access to chow responded for intravenous infusions of nicotine (60 µg/kg/infusion) or saline in daily 1-hour sessions; body weight and 24-hour food intake were measured. Experiment 2 tested the effects of subcutaneous injections of nicotine on food intake. In Experiment 3, rats were food restricted and self-administered nicotine across a range of doses (3.75-60 µg/kg/infusion) while body weight was measured. In Experiment 4, rats self-administered 60 µg/kg/infusion nicotine before reduction to one of several doses (1.875-15 µg/kg/infusion) for 50 days. RESULTS: Self-administered nicotine suppressed weight gain independent of food intake. In food restricted rats, self-administered nicotine dose-dependently suppressed body weight gain. In rats self-administering 60 µg/kg/infusion nicotine, dose reduction increased body weight. CONCLUSIONS: Self-administered nicotine, even at low doses, suppressed body independent of food intake; this may have important implications for nicotine reduction policy. IMPLICATIONS: The results of the present studies demonstrate that self-administered nicotine suppresses body weight independent of food intake in rats. Further, the present studies establish that self-administered nicotine suppresses body weight even at very low doses and that reduction of nicotine dose results in weight gain. These results have important implications for nicotine reduction policy.
INTRODUCTION: The action of nicotine to suppress body weight is often cited as a factor impacting smoking initiation and the failure to quit. Despite the weight-suppressant effects of nicotine, smokers and nonsmokers report equal daily caloric intake. The weight-suppressive effects of nicotine in animal models of smoking are poorly understood. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration has authority to implement a policy markedly reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes; such a reduction could reduce smoking behavior, but have detrimental effects on body weight. The aim of this investigation was to examine the effects of self-administered nicotine on body weight and food intake in rats. METHODS: In Experiment 1, rats with ad libitum access to chow responded for intravenous infusions of nicotine (60 µg/kg/infusion) or saline in daily 1-hour sessions; body weight and 24-hour food intake were measured. Experiment 2 tested the effects of subcutaneous injections of nicotine on food intake. In Experiment 3, rats were food restricted and self-administered nicotine across a range of doses (3.75-60 µg/kg/infusion) while body weight was measured. In Experiment 4, rats self-administered 60 µg/kg/infusion nicotine before reduction to one of several doses (1.875-15 µg/kg/infusion) for 50 days. RESULTS: Self-administered nicotine suppressed weight gain independent of food intake. In food restricted rats, self-administered nicotine dose-dependently suppressed body weight gain. In rats self-administering 60 µg/kg/infusion nicotine, dose reduction increased body weight. CONCLUSIONS: Self-administered nicotine, even at low doses, suppressed body independent of food intake; this may have important implications for nicotine reduction policy. IMPLICATIONS: The results of the present studies demonstrate that self-administered nicotine suppresses body weight independent of food intake in rats. Further, the present studies establish that self-administered nicotine suppresses body weight even at very low doses and that reduction of nicotine dose results in weight gain. These results have important implications for nicotine reduction policy.
Authors: Laura E O'Dell; Scott A Chen; Ron T Smith; Sheila E Specio; Robert L Balster; Neil E Paterson; Athina Markou; Eric P Zorrilla; George F Koob Journal: J Pharmacol Exp Ther Date: 2006-10-18 Impact factor: 4.030
Authors: A R Caggiula; L H Epstein; S M Antelman; S S Saylor; K A Perkins; S Knopf; R Stiller Journal: Pharmacol Biochem Behav Date: 1991-09 Impact factor: 3.533
Authors: D H Malin; J R Lake; P Newlin-Maultsby; L K Roberts; J G Lanier; V A Carter; J S Cunningham; O B Wilson Journal: Pharmacol Biochem Behav Date: 1992-11 Impact factor: 3.533
Authors: Jillian J Weeks; Laura E Rupprecht; Anthony A Grace; Eric C Donny; Alan F Sved Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2020-02-06 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: Laura E Rupprecht; Joseph S Koopmeiners; Sarah S Dermody; Jason A Oliver; Mustafa al'Absi; Neal L Benowitz; Rachel Denlinger-Apte; David J Drobes; Dorothy Hatsukami; F Joseph McClernon; Lauren R Pacek; Tracy T Smith; Alan F Sved; Jennifer Tidey; Ryan Vandrey; Eric C Donny Journal: Tob Control Date: 2016-11-17 Impact factor: 7.552
Authors: Tracy T Smith; Laura E Rupprecht; Rachel L Denlinger-Apte; Jillian J Weeks; Rachel S Panas; Eric C Donny; Alan F Sved Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2017-09-01 Impact factor: 4.244