Effect of nicotine administration on feeding behavior

Abstract

Nicotine is a chemical substance component of tobacco and produces serious changes in the organism. It is catalogued as one of the most addictive drugs. Studies with rats have showed that nicotine administration produces food consumption decrease and favor the maintenance of low body weight. The objective of our experiment was to evaluate if two different doses of nicotine have effects over body weight and food intake through transdermal patches application. Six experimentally naive Wistar rats were separated into three groups and exposed to free access to water and food during 40 days. Day 11 to 15 and 26 to 30 Group 1 was exposed to 4 mg of nicotine, Group 2 to 12 mg and Group 3 (control) did not receive any doses. The results suggest that nicotine decrease food consumption independent of doses used.