Clinical Physiology: Effects of Nicotine and Inhalation of Cigarette Smoke on Total Body Oxygen Consumption in Dogs

Abstract

Ilebekk. A., Miller, N. E. & Mjös, O. D. Effects of Nicotine and Inhalation of Cigarette Smoke on Total Body Oxygen Consumption in Dogs. Scand. J. clin. Lab. Invest. 35, 61–72. 1975.

The effects on total body oxygen consumption of nicotine infused intravenously and of simulated cigarette smoking were studied in intact anesthetized dogs. Nicotine infusion and simulated cigarette smoking raised total body oxygen consumption by 9 ± 2% (mean ± S.E.M.; P < 0.02) and 6 ± 2% (P < 0.05), respectively, and arterial concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) by 29 ± 9% (P < 0.05) and 12 ± 3% (P < 0.01). When nicotine infusion and simulated cigarette smoking were repeated during inhibition of lipolysis with β-pyridylcarbinol. no rise in total body oxygen consumption occurred, although the mean aortic blood pressure and heart rate remained elevated to levels similar to those during intact lipolysis. It is concluded that the rise in total body oxygen consumption induced by intravenously infused nicotine or simulated cigarette smoking was probably mediated through increased mobilization and consumption of FFA.

Key Words:

• β-pyridylcarbinol
• cigarette smoking
• free fatty acids
• nicotine
• total body oxygen consumption