Biomaterial Database

Nicotine-induced respiratory effects of cigarette smoke in dogs. 1985

J J Hartiala, and C Mapp, and R A Mitchell, and W M Gold

We report that nicotine is responsible for both a blood-borne stimulation of the respiratory center and a direct effect on intrathoracic airway tone in dogs. We introduced cigarette smoke into the lungs of donor dogs and injected arterial blood obtained from them into the circulation of recipient dogs to show that a blood-borne material increased breathing and airway smooth muscle tone. Smoke from cigarettes containing 2.64 mg of nicotine was effective; that from cigarettes containing 0.42 mg of nicotine was not. Nicotine, in doses comparable to the amounts absorbed from smoke, also increased breathing and tracheal smooth muscle tension when injected into the vertebral circulation of recipient dogs. Finally, blockade of nicotine receptors in the central nervous system and in the airway parasympathetic ganglia inhibited the effects of inhaled cigarette smoke and intravenous nicotine on the respiratory center and on bronchomotor tone. We conclude that nicotine absorbed from cigarette smoke is the main cause of cigarette smoke-induced bronchoconstriction. It caused central respiratory stimulation, resulting in increased breathing and airway smooth muscle tension, and had a direct effect on airway parasympathetic ganglia as well.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008464	Mecamylamine	A nicotinic antagonist that is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and crosses the blood-brain barrier. Mecamylamine has been used as a ganglionic blocker in treating hypertension, but, like most ganglionic blockers, is more often used now as a research tool.
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009538	Nicotine	Nicotine is highly toxic alkaloid. It is the prototypical agonist at nicotinic cholinergic receptors where it dramatically stimulates neurons and ultimately blocks synaptic transmission. Nicotine is also important medically because of its presence in tobacco smoke.	Nicotine Bitartrate,Nicotine Tartrate
D010791	Phrenic Nerve	The motor nerve of the diaphragm. The phrenic nerve fibers originate in the cervical spinal column (mostly C4) and travel through the cervical plexus to the diaphragm.	Nerve, Phrenic,Nerves, Phrenic,Phrenic Nerves
D010947	Plants, Toxic	Plants or plant parts which are harmful to man or other animals.	Plants, Poisonous,Plant, Poisonous,Plant, Toxic,Poisonous Plant,Poisonous Plants,Toxic Plant,Toxic Plants
D012119	Respiration	The act of breathing with the LUNGS, consisting of INHALATION, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of EXHALATION, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more CARBON DIOXIDE than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration (	Breathing
D001769	Blood	The body fluid that circulates in the vascular system (BLOOD VESSELS). Whole blood includes PLASMA and BLOOD CELLS.
D001986	Bronchial Spasm	Spasmodic contraction of the smooth muscle of the bronchi.	Bronchospasm,Bronchial Spasms,Bronchospasms,Spasm, Bronchial,Spasms, Bronchial
D004285	Dogs	The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065)	Canis familiaris,Dog