A large amount of clinical and experimental data has shown that tobacco nicotine (NI) is the reason
for tobacco addiction in humans, through the induction of tolerance and physical dependence.
Tobacco smoke contains other alkaloids that may contribute to addiction, such as cotinine (COT).
In this study we evaluated the possible effects of COT in rats during NI abstinence syndrome
by measuring spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA) with an open field test.
The study was carried out with two groups of rats receiving NI 10 mg / kg / day in drinking water
for 120 days (groups A and B). Then, in group A, NI was replaced by drinking water and in group B,
substituted by COT, 12 mg / kg, for 24 hours in both groups. Spontaneous locomotor activity was
recorded at the end of day 120 (baseline) and at the end of day 121, the end of the abstinence period.
The results obtained were compared against the baseline measurements and group A showed
significant differences in 3 of the 9 movements measured and group B displayed significant differences
in 7 of the 9 movements measured.
When group A was compared with Group B only 1 movement showed any significant differences.
These results suggest that cotinine participates in the nicotine withdrawal syndrome in chronic
nicotine administration under these experimental conditions.
Authors
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Adriana H. Sassone - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Luciano Merini - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Patricia N. Quiroga - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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María I. Sarchi - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Clara M. López - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Otmaro E. Roses - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Juan C. Perazzo - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Keywords:
Cotinine, nicotine, nicotine withdrawal, spontaneous locomotor activity, open field.