One-year continuous low-dose nicotine intake does not alter body weight of rats

An accelerated loss of dopaminergic neurons with advancing age leads to Parkinson's disease. The incidence of this disease is suggested to be lower in nicotine users. As the body ages, the number of dopamine receptors in the striatum decrease, an effect that has been shown to be slowed by reduction in body weight via dietary manipulations. To investigate the potential role of nicotine in aging of dopaminergic neurons, therefore, using a dose of nicotine that has no effect on body weight becomes essential. The results presented here show that administration at up to 1.0 mg% nicotinewater to rats for one year does not alter their body weight.