Biomaterial Database

An unusual case of nicotine dependence. 1987

J G Edwards

The case of a 49-year-old woman who has been brushing her teeth for 12 years with large amounts of snuff is described. She was dependent on the habit and had plasma nicotine and cotinine levels similar to those found in heavy smokers. Historical and cultural aspects of the use of snuff are discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
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
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
D011760	Pyrrolidinones	A group of compounds that are derivatives of oxo-pyrrolidines. A member of this group is 2-oxo pyrrolidine, which is an intermediate in the manufacture of polyvinylpyrrolidone. (From Merck Index, 11th ed)	Pyrrolidinone,Pyrrolidone,Pyrrolidones
D003367	Cotinine	The N-glucuronide conjugate of cotinine is a major urinary metabolite of NICOTINE. It thus serves as a biomarker of exposure to tobacco SMOKING. It has CNS stimulating properties.	Scotine
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014026	Nicotiana	A plant genus of the family SOLANACEAE. Members contain NICOTINE and other biologically active chemicals; the dried leaves of Nicotiana tabacum are used for SMOKING.	Tobacco Plant,Nicotiana tabacum,Plant, Tobacco,Plants, Tobacco,Tobacco Plants
D014030	Tobacco, Smokeless	Any product of NICOTIANA TABACUM that is not smoked but is either inhaled through the nose, chewed, or stored in cheek pouches.	Chewing Tobacco,Oral Tobacco,Smokeless Tobacco,Snuff,Dipping Tobacco,Gutka,Gutka Tobacco,Mint Snuff,Snus,Chewing Tobaccos,Dipping Tobaccos,Gutka Tobaccos,Gutkas,Snuff, Mint,Tobacco, Chewing,Tobacco, Dipping,Tobacco, Gutka,Tobacco, Oral,Tobaccos, Chewing,Tobaccos, Dipping,Tobaccos, Gutka,Tobaccos, Smokeless
D014099	Toothbrushing	The act of cleaning teeth with a brush to remove plaque and prevent tooth decay. (From Webster, 3d ed)	Toothbrushings