Nicotine impact on melanogenesis and antioxidant defense system in HEMn-DP melanocytes

Abstract

Nicotine is a compound of tobacco plants and is responsible for addictive properties of tobacco which is used by about one billion of smokers all over the world. Recently, nicotine has drawn even more attention due to its presumed neuroprotective and antioxidant features as far as common use in various forms of smoking cessation therapies. It is suggested that nicotine may be accumulated in human tissues containing melanin. This may in turn influence biochemical processes in human cells producing melanin. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of nicotine on melanogenesis and antioxidant defense system in cultured normal human melanocytes (HEMn-DP). Nicotine induced concentration-dependent loss in melanocytes viability. The value of EC50 was determined to be 2.52 mM. Nicotine modulated melanin biosynthesis in normal human melanocytes. Significant changes in hydrogen peroxide content and cellular antioxidant enzymes: SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were stated in melanocytes exposed to nicotine, which indicates alterations of antioxidant defense system. The results obtained in vitro may explain a potential influence of nicotine on biochemical processes in melanocytes in vivo during long-term exposition to nicotine.

The Reassessed Impact of Nicotine against Neurotoxicity in Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Cell Cultures and Neuroblastoma N18TG2 Cells

“…The overproduction of ROS may cause damages to basic cellular components resulting in dysfunction or leading to cell death 48 . Observations about the effects caused by low nicotine concentrations may also be in agreement with those described in our previous research on human melanocytes 49 , where lower concentrations of nicotine caused induction of specific biochemical processes in cells. Also, neurotoxic effects of nicotine were described 50 .…”

Modulation of Melanogenesis and Antioxidant Status of Melanocytes in Response to Phototoxic Action of Doxycycline

“…Previously, we documented that aminoglycoside antibiotics: amikacin , kanamycin , netilmicin and streptomycin as well as fluoroquinolones: ciprofloxacin and lomefloxacin , suppressed melanin biosynthesis and affected antioxidant enzymes activities in human light pigmented melanocytes. We also documented that nicotine‐modulated melanin biosynthesis and antioxidant enzymes activities in human dark pigmented melanocytes .…”

Effect of tetracycline and UV radiation on melanization and antioxidant status of melanocytes

“…We also documented that nicotine modulated melanin biosynthesis and antioxidant enzymes activities in human dark pigmented melanocytes [23].…”