Effect of nicotine on the morphology of the rat gastric mucosa.

The effect of oral nicotine dosage on the morphology of the rat gastric mucosa was studied. Cell populations, neck cell mucus volume fraction, and mucosal area and depth were measured, and differences in mean values for each group were tested for statistical significance. It was found that the equivalent of approximately 10 times the normal daily intake of nicotine achieved by human smoking is related to a significant decrease in total mucus neck cell population, neck cell mucus volume fraction and mucosal depth and to an increase in mucosal surface area. The nicotine doses caused no significant changes in the parietal or chief cell populations, body weight, or water consumption.