Search results for "nicotine"

Release of non-neuronal acetylcholine from the human placenta: difference to neuronal acetylcholine

2001

The synthesis and release of non-neuronal acetylcholine, a widely expressed signaling molecule, were investigated in the human placenta. This tissue is free of cholinergic neurons, i.e. a contamination of neuronal acetylcholine can be excluded. The villus showed a choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity of 0.65 nmol/mg protein per h and contained 500 nmol acetylcholine/g dry weight. In the absence of cholinesterase inhibitors the release of acetylcholine from isolated villus pieces amounted to 1.3 nmol/g wet weight per 10 min corresponding to a fractional release rate of 0.13% per min. The following substances did not significantly modify the release of acetylcholine: oxotremorine (1 micr…

Effect of drugs of abuse on social behaviour: a review of animal models.

2015

Social behaviour is disturbed in many substance abuse and psychiatric disorders. Given the consensus that social behaviours of lower mammals may help to understand some human emotional reactions, the aim of the present work was to provide an up-to-date review of studies on the changes in social behaviour induced by drugs of abuse. Various animal models have been used to study the relationship between drugs of abuse and social behaviour. Herein, we describe the effects of different substances of abuse on the three most commonly used animal models of social behaviour: the social play test, the social interaction test and the resident-intruder paradigm. The first is the most widely used test t…

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist (±)-epibatidine increases FGF-2 mRNA and protein levels in the rat brain

2000

Abstract In a previous work, we showed that acute intermittent nicotine treatment up-regulates the level of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) mRNA in brain regions of tel- and mesencephalon of rats suggesting that neuroprotective effect of (−)nicotine may, at least in part, involve an activation of the neuronal FGF-2 signalling. The present experiments were designed to extend the study on the nicotinic receptor mediated up-regulation of FGF-2 mRNA levels to the use of the potent nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist (±)-epibatidine. The (±)-epibatidine treatment led to a strong and long lasting up-regulation of FGF-2 mRNA expression in the cerebral cortex, in the hippocampal for…

Smoking in hospitalized patients. A great opportunity

2022

The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of smokers admitted to different medical and surgical services in a university hospital and the perception of patients regarding the need for a specialized intervention. The sample comprises a total of 307 patients (mean age of 59.4 years), being 40% (n = 123) non-smokers, 42.7% (n = 131) ex-smokers, and 17.3% (n = 53) smokers. The average consumption of smokers was 22.2 cigarettes / day and the severity of nicotine dependence evaluated with the Fagerstrom test exceeded 5 points in more than half of the sample. On the other hand, 77.7% had made at least one previous attempt to quit tobacco use. Almost the entire sample (89.9 %) …

Effects of nicotine on motor activity, passive avoidance and plus-maze behavior in aged NMRI and C57BL mice

2002

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of nicotine (0.35 and 0.175 mg/kg) on locomotor activity, passive avoidance and plus maze behavior in aged mice of two strains (C57BL and NMRI). In a first experiment, aged mice of these strains were injected with nicotine or saline and immediately afterwards were put on the actimeter. Results showed that nicotine significantly decreased locomotor activity in C57 mice. In a second experiment, nicotine was administered before training and retention sessions of a passive avoidance task. Results indicated that 0.175 mg/kg nicotine significantly increased entry latency in aged NMRI mice but had no effects on C57 mice. In the last experimen…

Is it time to be concerned about the effects of e-cigarettes on cardiovascular health?

2018

Effects of cigarette smoking on time estimation

1998

Long-term cardiovascular risk of e-cigarettes

2020

Smoking Cessation in Individuals with Depression

1999

Current, historical and subclinical depression have been linked to a high incidence of cigarette smoking and smoking cessation relapse. This review discusses the efficacy, suitability and other treatment issues involved in using nicotine replacement therapy, antidepressant treatment and cognitive-behavioural interventions to help depressed smokers quit smoking. It is recommended that prior to choosing a smoking cessation treatment regimen, assessment should be made of: (i) current and past history of depression; (ii) nicotine dependency; and (iii) other risk factors (e.g. family history of depression, past difficulty in quitting) for relapse. For those individuals who are highly nicotine de…

Is the EOG Influenced by Nicotine? Relations to the EEG

1973

Cigarette smoking causes a number of effects in the human body, not the least of which may be attributed to nicotine. The problem under investigation is whether, by smoking retinal activity is influenced, and whether measureable changes are found by electrophysiological testing.