A study on the agents that reduces the nicotine induced nicotinic receptor density in wistar rats

Abstract

The most important substance causing addiction towards cigarette is nicotine. Nicotine abstinence causes withdrawal symptoms in smokers. It is not just nicotine, along with it is the upregulation of nicotinic receptor density (NRD) that leads to addiction. All together makes nicotine deaddiction the most difficult aspect. Nicotine receptor density increases as long as the person is exposed to nicotine. When once the NRD is initiated by nicotine, later though you stop smoking, the increased nicotine receptors create an urge to smoke. Hence the person feels to smoke for satisfying the nicotine receptors. The smokers may attempt to quit smoking but the NRD will create an urge for nicotine again. One cannot completely quit smoking or cannot stop taking nicotine, until the NRD is reduced to normal. In our present study we have studied the effect of citric acid and tyrosine on decreasing nicotinic receptor density. We have induced the nicotinic receptor density to raise and studied the citric acid and tyrosine’s effect in maintaining the NRD closer to normal. The study concludes that citric acid and tyrosine have reduced the NRD significantly. This can control withdrawal symptoms and can stop craving for nicotine and finally can lead to cessation of smoking and from taking nicotine therapy.