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Monoamine oxidase and cigarette smoking
Joanna S Fowler1, Jean Logan, Gene-Jack Wang
1Chemistry Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA. fowler@bnl.gov
Neurotoxicology
|February 5, 2003
Summary
Current cigarette smokers exhibit lower monoamine oxidase (MAO) levels, likely due to tobacco smoke
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Current cigarette smokers exhibit significantly reduced levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO).
- Evidence suggests this reduction is a pharmacological effect of tobacco smoke exposure.
- The observed reduction may not be an inherent biological characteristic of smokers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize human and animal studies on the inhibitory effects of tobacco smoke on MAO.
- To discuss the implications of MAO inhibition in smoking epidemiology.
- To explore the role of MAO inhibitors in tobacco and their relevance to psychiatric disorders and smoking cessation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing human and animal studies.
- Analysis of epidemiological data related to smoking and MAO levels.
- Examination of MAO inhibitor compounds present in tobacco smoke.
Main Results:
- Tobacco smoke demonstrably inhibits monoamine oxidase activity.
- This inhibition is consistent across both human and animal models.
- MAO inhibition is a significant factor in understanding smoking behavior and its consequences.
Conclusions:
- Reduced MAO levels in smokers are primarily a pharmacologically induced effect of tobacco smoke.
- Understanding MAO inhibition is crucial for addressing smoking-related health issues.
- Further research into MAO inhibitors may offer new avenues for smoking cessation strategies.