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Nicotine biomarker distribution in plasma and brain differ between adolescent and young adult rats
Author(s) -
Lima Vieira Brock Paula,
Miller Eleanor I,
Nielsen Shan M,
Fleckenstein Annette E,
Wilkins Diana G
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.798.4
Extensive research has focused on human nicotine metabolism so as to determine its potential role in addiction. Individuals who metabolize nicotine quickly have increased withdrawal symptoms and risk for developing addiction. Rodent models have been utilized to study this phenomenon. Noteworthy, few rodent studies have evaluated the distribution and metabolism of nicotine as a function of development. Thus, the present study evaluated the impact of age on the metabolism of nicotine following a single administration. Post‐natal day (PND) 40, 60 and 90 rats received a single injection (s.c.) of 0.8 mg/kg (‐)nicotine. Liquid chromatography tandem‐mass spectrometry was used to evaluate nicotine and metabolite concentrations in biological matrices. Results revealed that nicotine, cotinine and nornicotine were detected in rat brain 2 h after a single s.c. administration. In plasma, nicotine, cotinine, nornicotine, norcotinine, nicotine‐1′‐oxide and cotinine‐n‐oxide were detected at 2 h. The mean concentration of nicotine was lower in brain and plasma of PND 40 vs. PND 60 or 90 rats. Accordingly, the impact of age should be considered when developing rodent models involving nicotine administration.