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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on May 21, 2007, at 7:35:30
The Wistar Kyoto rats are used as an animal model of depression since they are hyper responsive to stress, and they give up very easily in swim tests etc.
The interesting thing about these rats is that they *don't* show behavioral response to SSRIs or TCA's like other animal models.
Anyhow, it was interesting to come across a study suggesting an antidperessant effect of nicotine in this strain of rats. A point to possable cholinergic dysfunction.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2002-04/foas-nsa041602.php
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2007, at 9:46:10
In reply to Wistar Kyoto rats on Nicotine, posted by linkadge on May 21, 2007, at 7:35:30
I don't smoke maybe the rats don't know nicotine is bad for them? Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on May 21, 2007, at 9:47:43
In reply to Re: Wistar Kyoto rats on Nicotine » linkadge, posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2007, at 9:46:10
Smoking is bad, nicotine isn't that bad.
Linkadge
Posted by sukarno on May 22, 2007, at 6:56:58
In reply to Re: Wistar Kyoto rats on Nicotine, posted by linkadge on May 21, 2007, at 9:47:43
That's interesting. Thanks for the post about that. :-) Nicotine isn't all that bad when used alone in a clean delivery system such as gum, patch, or inhaler (not too sure of the inhaler's safety though). I think it was being investigated in ADD/ADHD with results showing efficacy approaching that or equivalent with methylphenidate (Ritalin).
It is quite dopaminergic to say the least. There is a component in tobacco smoke that inhibits MAO-B, thus prolonging and enhancing the effect of nicotine. I wonder if that psychoactive compound can be isolated from tobacco and if it is carcinogenic? I think it has never been identified.
Nicotine is rather benign (not carcinogenic) though when used alone as you said. The only contraindications or precautions I would see are those with borderline-high or high blood pressure, clotting disorders, recent myocardial infarction or stroke or other cardiovascular disease or taking birth control medication. A relatively healthy person would probably do well on pharmaceutical nicotine used in therapeutic doses. It would be quite exciting to see if it was of use in depression in humans. :-)
Posted by Nathan_Arizona on May 22, 2007, at 7:37:53
In reply to Wistar Kyoto rats on Nicotine, posted by linkadge on May 21, 2007, at 7:35:30
I smoke and it does make me feel better. However, it doesn't seem to be potent enough for me because I still have to take other medications to keep depression at bay.
I wonder if a delivery system of pure nicotine would be as addicting as smoking? Probably not.
Interesting post nonetheless.
Posted by linkadge on May 22, 2007, at 11:11:19
In reply to Re: Wistar Kyoto rats on Nicotine, posted by Nathan_Arizona on May 22, 2007, at 7:37:53
I've always thought that nicotine + low dose selegiline would be interesting.
For many smokers, nicotine alone is probably not enought to kick the habbit.
Nicotine is a very intersting substance, since in addition to its effects on dopamine, it also has effects on serotonergic neurotransmission.
Acutely, it decreases serotonergic firing in the dorsal raphai neucleus, supressing anxiety, in a manner perhaps similar to buspar.
For me, a low dose (gum) was sufficiant to help anxiety, significantly.
Linkadge
Posted by sukarno on May 22, 2007, at 12:57:15
In reply to Re: Wistar Kyoto rats on Nicotine, posted by linkadge on May 22, 2007, at 11:11:19
Non-Dopaminergic Pathways in Nicotine Dependence
PhD, Jacques Le Houezec (2001)
http://psycprints.ecs.soton.ac.uk/archive/00000131/
This article is very interesting. It even suggests nicotine may be GABAergic and can also stimulate the release of endogenous opioids.
Posted by linkadge on May 22, 2007, at 18:08:39
In reply to Re: Wistar Kyoto rats on Nicotine, posted by sukarno on May 22, 2007, at 12:57:15
I just think there is a lot of baggage that is attributed to nicotine on account of the health effects of smoking.
You say nicotine, and people immediately think evil.
I've been off an on (the gum) many times and do not find it terrably addictive.
I'd say ritalin has more abuse potential, yet the word "nicotine" still sound more evil than "ritalin".
The baby gets thrown out with the bathwater. Nicotine may be theraputic in many circumstances.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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