Nicotine deaths

Cytisine. This base belongs to the same pharmacological group as nicotine.It is a powerful poison causing nausea, convulsions and death by failure of respiration. The nicotine-like action is shared by A -methyl-cytisine but the latter, according to Scott and Chen, who have made a detailed study of its action, is weaker and has about one-fortieth the toxicity of nicotine. 

According to Camus, hordenine is of low toxicity, but in large doses it causes death by arrest of respiration. It is less active than adrenaline but analogous in its action, resembling ephedrine rather than adrenaline. Barger and Dale found that the methiodide had a marked nicotine-... 

True. Nicotine, carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals from the burning tobacco travel in the mother s bloodstream and can reach the foetus. This can result in impaired development and reduced birth weight. Tobacco smoke can also be harmful to young children and babies (sudden infant death syndrome). 

With the exception of nicotine, the agricultural chemicals derived from plants are probably among the least hazardous to man (6). Nicotine itself is one of the most efficient insecticides. Nicotine can cause serious poisoning or death if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. 

Acute Nicotine is a very toxic drug in acute high doses (Taylor 1996). The lethal dose in adult humans is approximately 60 mg. Symptoms of acute poisoning include headache, dizziness, salivation, cold sweats, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Sensory disturbances, confusion, and convulsions also occur. Blood pressure drops, the pulse becomes weak and irregular, and respiration becomes difficult. Death usually results from respiratory failure. 

Smoking tobacco causes damage to endothelial cells due to free radicals present in tobacco smoke. It is estimated that each puff of a cigarette produces lO " free radicals. In addition, the resultant lack of oxygen causes damage or death to neurones, and nicotine and carbon monoxide, both present in tobacco smoke, cause an increase in blood pressure. 

C. L. Crowley, C. M. Payne, H. Bernstein, C. Bernstein and D. Roe, The NAD + precursors, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide protect cells against apoptosis induced by a multiple stress inducer, deoxycholate, Cell Death Differ., 2000, 7(3), 314. 

Neuromuscular - mild stimulation to muscle paralysis, respiratory failure (curare), death Tobacco -South American -Strychnos family (curare) Blue green alga (anatonin A) Nicotine - blocks acetylcholine receptors Curare - used as a hunting poison, very potent receptor blocker... 

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