The Effect of Long Term Pre/postnatal Low/high Dose Nicotine Exposure on Tissue Oxidant/antioxidant Status and DNA Damage in Rats

Abstract

Background: Most women do not stop smoking either during pregnancy or in the lactation period. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of long term per oral pre/postnatal low/high dose nicotine exposure on fetal plasma/tissue oxidant-antioxidant status in rats. Methods: The study groups were composed of pups whose parents used or did not use nicotine in pregnancy and lactation period. The pups were divided into 3 groups, each consisting of 10 rats; the control group (normal drinking water), low and high dose nicotine groups according to the dose of nicotine (0.4mg/kg and 6.0mg/kg BW/day, respectively) given per oral in drinking water. At the end of the 12(th) month, tissue/hemolysate/plasma oxidant-antioxidant status parameters and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy-guanosine levels were measured. Results: Plasma cotinine levels were higher in nicotine groups compared to controls (p<0.01). A significant increase in liver malonyldialdehyde levels (p<0.05) and a significant decrease in kidney superoxide dismutase activities (p<0.05) were determined in both nicotine groups compared to controls while no statistically significant difference was found in the other parameters. Conclusion: This investigation showed that long term nicotine exposure during-after pregnancy may have an adverse effect on vital organs of the offspring via impairing tissue oxidant/antioxidant balance. Liver and kidney seem to be the mostly affected organs possibly due to their major roles in nicotine metabolism.