Long-term nicotine exposure reduces Purkinje cell number in the adult rat cerebellar vermis

Neurotoxicol Teratol. 2003 May-Jun;25(3):329-34. doi: 10.1016/s0892-0362(02)00350-1.

Abstract

Nicotine affects functions of the central nervous system. A previous study showed that developing cerebellar Purkinje cells are targets for early postnatal nicotine exposure. In this study, we assessed the effects of long-term nicotine exposure on mature cerebellar Purkinje cells. This is particularly relevant since the majority of smokers are exposed to nicotine over a long period. Female adult Sprague-Dawley rats received three doses of nicotine (0.01%, 0.03%, or 0.06%) through their sole water source. After 8 weeks of nicotine exposure, the cerebellar vermis was removed and processed for stereological cell counting. The results showed that this long-term nicotine treatment did not change the cerebellum weight or the size (volume) of the cerebellar vermis. The long-term nicotine treatment regimen did result in a significant loss of mature Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, however, such a loss of Purkinje cells was not nicotine dose-related. These findings indicated that the mature adult cerebellum is susceptible to the damaging effects of nicotine in depleting Purkinje cells in the cerebellum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cell Count
  • Cerebellum / drug effects*
  • Cerebellum / pathology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Nicotine / toxicity*
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Purkinje Cells / cytology
  • Purkinje Cells / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Nicotine