Nicotine renal excretion

Benowitz, N.L., and Jacob, P., III. Nicotine renal excretion rate influences nicotine intake during cigarette smoking. JPharmacol Exp Ther 234 153-155, 1985. 

An understanding of the pharmacology of nicotine and how nicotine produces addiction and influences smoking behavior provides a necessary basis for therapeutic advances in smoking cessation interventions. This chapter provides a review of several aspects of the human pharmacology of nicotine. These include the presence and levels of nicotine and related alkaloids in tobacco products, the absorption of nicotine from tobacco products and nicotine medications, the distribution of nicotine in body tissues, the metabolism and renal excretion of nicotine, nicotine and cotinine blood levels during tobacco use or nicotine replacement therapy, and biomarkers of nicotine exposure. For more details and references on the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of nicotine, the reader is referred to Hukkanen et al. (2005c). 

Renal clearance of cotinine is much less than the glomerular filtration rate (Benowitz et al. 2008b). Since cotinine is not appreciably protein bound, this indicates extensive tnbnlar reabsorption. Renal clearance of cotinine can be enhanced by np to 50% with extreme urinary acidification. Cotinine excretion is less influenced by urinary pH than nicotine becanse it is less basic and, therefore, is primarily in the unionized form within the physiological pH range. As is the case for nicotine, the rate of excretion of cotinine is influenced by urinary flow rate. Renal excretion of cotinine is a minor route of elimination, averaging about 12% of total clearance. In contrast, 100% of nicotine Ai -oxide and 63% of 3 -hydroxycotinine are excreted unchanged in the urine (Benowitz and Jacob 2001 Park et al. 1993). 

Roch-Ramel F, Besseghir K, Murer H. Renal excretion and tubular transport of organic anions and cations. In Handbook of physiology, section 8 renal physiology. Windhager EE (editor). Oxford University Press, NewYork/Oxford 1992 p. 2189-2262. Guggino SE, Aronson PS. Paradoxical effects of py razinoate and nicotinate on urate transport in dog renal microvillus membranes. J Clin Invest 1985 76 543-547. 

D. Enhancement of Elimination Enhancement of elimination is possible for a number of toxins, including manipulation of urine pH to accelerate renal excretion of weak acids and bases. For example, alkaline diuresis is effective in toxicity due to fluoride, isoniazid, fluoroquinolones, phenobarbital, and salicylates. Urinary acidiflcation may be useful in toxicity due to weak bases, including amphetamines, nicotine, and phencyclidine, but care must be taken to avoid acidosis and renal failure in rhabdomyolysis. Hemodialysis or hemoperfusion enhances the elimination of many toxic compounds, including acetaminophen, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, lithium, methanol, procainamide, quinidine, salicylates, and theophylline. Cathartics such as sorbitol (70%) may decrease absorption and hasten removal of toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. 

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