Nicotine lowers TNF-α, IL-1b secretion and leukocyte accumulation via nAChR in rat stomach

Abstract

Inflammatory suppressive effects of nicotine have been observed in inflammatory diseases. We aimed to investigate morphological damage and the changes in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10 expression in the healthy stomach after long-term oral nicotine administration. Nicotine was added to the drinking water of Sprague Dawley rats for 6 weeks. Histological signs of damage, inflammatory cytokines, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) levels were evaluated in the gastric tissues. There were no histological signs of inflammation in both groups. TNF-α and IL-1β were decreased in the nicotine-treated group. A positive correlation was found between TNF-α levels and infiltrated inflammatory cell count. nAChR levels were increased in the nicotine group. Long term nicotine administration upregulates and activates nAChR. The reduced TNF-α or with high activity nAChR affects the modulation of neutrophil functions and its entry into tissue. Nicotine may deteriorate host defence in non-inflammatory situations.

Keywords:

• Nicotine
• TNF
• IL-10
• inflammation
• stomach

Disclosure statement

The authors confirm that there is no conflict of interest regarding this article content.