Nicotine Vasopressin

Leo G. Abood, Ph D., was Professor of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center until his death in January 1998. Dr. Abood was an expert on the biochemistry and physiology of the nervous system whose research focused on the isolation and characterization of neurotransmitter receptors from the mammalian brain, specifically nicotine, vasopressin, and opioid receptors. He previously served on the NRC Committee on Toxicology s Panel on Anticholinergic Compounds and the Chemical Weapons Stockpile Assessment Panel. 

Figure 25-7. Metabolism of adipose tissue. Hormone-sensitive lipase is activated by ACTH, TSH, glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and vasopressin and inhibited by insulin, prostaglandin E, and nicotinic acid. Details of the formation of glycerol 3-phosphate from intermediates of glycolysis are shown in Figure 24-2. (PPP, pentose phosphate pathway TG, triacylglycerol FFA, free fatty acids VLDL, very low density lipoprotein.)...

These include nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, neuronal calcium channels, muscle sodium channels, vasopressin receptors, and iV-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Some general features of the structure, function, and evolution of biologically active peptides isolated from Conus venom are presented. 

Andersson K., Siegel R., Fuxe K., Eneroth P. (1983). Intravenous injections of nicotine induce very rapid and discrete reductions of hypothalamic catecholamine levels associated with increases of ACTH, vasopressin and prolactin secretion. Acta Physiol. Scand. 118, 35-40. 

Neurohypophysis. Release of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) results in lowered urinary output (p. 164). Levels of vasopressin necessary for vasoconstriction will rarely be produced by nicotine. 

ADH, a nonapeptide, released from the posterior pituitary gland promotes re-absorption of water in the kidney. This response is mediated by vasopressin receptors of the V2 subtype. ADH enhances the permeability of collecting duct epithelium for water (but not for electrolytes). As a result, water is drawn from urine into the hyperosmolar inter-stitium of the medulla. Nicotine augments (p. 110) and ethanol decreases ADH release. At concentrations above those required for antidiuresis, ADH stimulates smooth musculature, including that of blood vessels ( vasopressin ). The latter response is mediated by receptors of the Vi subtype. Blood pressure rises coronary vasoconstriction can precipitate angina pectoris. Lypres-sin (8-L-lysine vasopressin) acts like ADH. Other derivatives may display only one of the two actions. 

Nicotine binds selectively to the nicotinic receptors that are present in the adrenal medulla, brain, autonomic ganglia, and neuromuscular junctions. It causes the release of several neurotransmitters and hormones such as acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, arginine vasopressin, j3-endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol (187). This neuro-regulatory effect of nicotine is dose-dependent and occurs as plasma nicotine level rises when tobacco is smoked. The neurotransmitters released in the brain medi-... 

In most cases the mechanism is not known. Stimulators of vasopressin secretion include vincristine, cyclophosphamide, tricyclic antidepressants, nicotine, epinephrine, and high doses of morphine. Lithium, which inhibits the renal effects of vasopressin, also enhances vasopressin secretion. Inhibitors of vasopressin secretion include ethanol, phenytoin, low doses of morphine, glucocorticoids, fluphenazine, haloperidol, promethazine, oxilorphan, and butorphanol. Carba-mazepine has a renal action to produce antidiuresis in patients with central diabetes insipidus but actually inhibits vasopressin secretion via a central action. 

A case report described marked hypotension and bradycardia in a young woman during surgery, attributed to the combined effects of vasopressin and nicotine from a transdermal patch. 

A 22-year-old woman in good health was anaesthetised for surgery with nitrous oxide/oxygen and isoflurane. Twenty minutes after induction she was given an injeetion of 0.2 units of vasopressin into the eervix. Within seeonds she developed severe hypotension and bradycardia, and over the next 30 minutes blood pressures as low as 70/35 mmHg and heart rates as low as 38 bpm were recorded. She was treated with atropine and adrenaline (epinephrine), and eventually made a full recovery. This patient was wearing a transdermal nicotine patch. ... 

The circulatory collapse was attributed by the authors to the combined effects of the injected vasopressin and the nicotine from the transdermal patch. Both of these drugs can increase afterload and cause coronary artery vasoconstriction, which the authors suggest may have decreased the blood supply to the heart and resulted in cardiac depression. ... 

Groudine SB, Morley JN. Recent problems with paracervical vasopressin a possible synergistic reaction with nicotine. (1996) 47, 19-21. 

---