Effect of chronically administered nicotine on axonal transport of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in peripheral adrenergic neurons and on blood pressure and heart rate in the rat.

Nicotine was given to rats of about 200 g b.wt. in the drinking water for up to 2 months. Different doses of nicotine, from 25 mg to 100 mg per litre water, were tested with respect to their reducing effect on the normal increase in body weight. No effect was found on the normal accumulation of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) proximal to a ligation of peripheral adrenergic neurons. This indicated a normal turnover of amine storage granules. This was interpreted as nicotine being without effects on the activity of the adrenergic neurons. In agreement with this lack of effect no changes of blood pressure or heart rate were found in rats receiving 50 mg nicotine per litre of drinking water.