Propranolol transiently inhibits reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behaviour in rats

Noradrenergic transmission has been implicated in the affective component of relapse to tobacco smoking. Evidence in human and laboratory animals showed that smoking or nicotine administration may cause changes of the noradrenergic system resulting in hyperactivity in this system after cessation. It has been hypothesised that the anti-adrenergic beta-blocker propranolol may decrease affective activation and arousal observed during drug withdrawal or cue-induced relapse. The aim of the present work was to test the effects of propranolol pre-treatment in a rat model of nicotine cue-induced relapse to nicotine seeking. We also tested the effects of propranolol on food cue-induced reinstatement of food seeking in rats trained on food self-administration. Propranolol transiently inhibited nicotine cue-induced reinstatement. The inhibitory effect of propranolol reached a peak after 30 min from the beginning of the reinstatement session and then it declined until it was completely absent at the end of the 3-h session. This inhibitory effect of propranolol was not observed when the drug was tested versus reinstatement with food cues. The present study suggests a weak effect of propranolol to counteract nicotine cue-induced reinstatement of nicotine seeking. Therefore, these findings do not support a potential use of propranolol for prevention of smoking relapse.