Asian Journal of Research and Reports in Neurology

The effect of chronic administration of nicotine on pattern of advanced oxidative protein products and pain hypersensitivity in albino wistar rat was investigated in this research. Nicotine, a major alkaloid, is present in tobacco products as well as in smaller amounts in potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. The effect of chronic administration of nicotine on pattern of advanced oxidative protein products and pain hypersensitivity was studied using 25 adult albino rats which were divided into 5 different groups which includes; Group 1(control), Group 2(low dose nicotine treated), Group 3(medium dose nicotine treated), Group 4(high dose nicotine treated) and Group 5(epinephrine treated). The groups were kept in different compartments of the cage. Group 2 animals received 50µg/kg nicotine through inhalation, rats in Group 3 received 75µg/kg nicotine through inhalation and Group 4 received 100µg/kg nicotine through inhalation daily. Group 5 rats were administered 0.1ml/100g of epinephrine drug intravenously daily and this affected emotional behavior (aggressiveness). Experimental procedures were carried out using the electroconvulsive therapy for shock, passive avoidance test to access learning and memory, the analgesylmeter test to access pain hypersensitivity and the animals were observed for neurobehavioral performance. Lab analysis was carried out by homogenizing the brain matter to determine the effect of nicotine on oxidative stress, using the parameters, malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP). The data obtained were presented as a mean value standard error of means (±sem) and statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and excel and the results were significant at P<0.05. From the results of this study, it was demonstrated that, chronic administration of nicotine was found to significantly reduce memory capacity, caused pain hypersensitivity and also induced oxidative stress by protein oxidation (AOPP as a biomarker) or can also be a mild antioxidant by inhibiting lipid peroxidation (MDA as a biomarker). While administration of nicotine in low dose on the other hand enhanced memory, caused hyposensitivity to a mild hypersensitivity and is beneficial in eliminating neurotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress.