The benefits and drawbacks of nicotine exposure in the cortex and hippocampus of old rats

Effects of 1,8-cineole on hypertension induced by chronic exposure to nicotine in rats

“…Chronic exposure to nicotine results in oxidative stress,[17] damaging cells and increasing lipid peroxidation [18]. Similar to the effects observed in SBP, we found that chronic exposure to nicotine increased lipid peroxidation, an increase inhibited by 1,8‐cineole.…”

Neurochemistry of drug action

“…In contrast, examination of other metabolites revealed that hippocampal (but not ACC) NAA levels were reduced when smokers were compared to nonsmokers 170 . This finding is consistent with a body of preclinical work suggesting that nicotine has neurotoxic effects on hippocampal neurons 171–173 . To the extent that NAA is a marker for synaptic density and/or neuronal viability, 19 the null result in the ACC does not support previous work demonstrating reduced gray matter volume and gray matter density within that brain region of smokers compared with nonsmokers 164,165 .…”

Efeitos preventivos do exercício físico sobre a inibição da creatina quinase em córtex cerebral de camundongos expostos à fumaça de cigarro. DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2011v13n2p106

“…Nicotine has been shown to interfere with cell metabolism, especially in the brain because of high metabolic activity that leads to a high oxygen consumption rate (35 mL/min/kg) and of the high amount of oxidizable polyunsaturated fatty acids in the cellular membranes 4,6,24 . Furthermore, Rezyvani and Levin 25 showed that nicotine facilitates hippocampal synaptic activity and increases hippocampal long-term potentiation.…”

“…However, the use of nicotine has dual and conflicting effects on oxidative stress and neuroprotection depending on dose of the drug used and its underlying mechanisms. Generally, a high dose of nicotine induces neurotoxicity and stimulates oxidative stress 4 . A recent study demonstrated that regular physical exercise protects against pulmonary oxidative damage in mice exposed to cigarette smoke 5 , suggesting a beneficial effect of physical exercise.…”

“…In this respect, the changes that occur in synaptic membrane composition, especially in postsynaptic intracellular events, have been suggested as the basis for the neuroadaptation to psychoactive drugs abuse 3 . Studies have shown that nicotine interferes with cell metabolism and homeostasis 4 . A recent study showed that regular physical exercise exerts a protective effect against pulmonary oxidative damage in mice exposed to cigarette smoke 5 .…”