Altered synaptosomal ATPase activity in rat brain following prolonged in vivo treatment with nicotine

Effects of prolonged in vivo treatment with nicotine on synaptosomal ATPase activity in rat brain were examined by employing doses of nicotine (0.02 and 0.04 mg/ml in the drinking water) which simulated intake by moderate and heavy smokers. Under these conditions the "low" dose of nicotine resulted in increased body weight whereas "high" dose of nicotine inhibited weight gain. Examination of synaptosomal ATPase activities revealed a dose and time dependent stimulatory/inhibitory effect. With "low" dose of nicotine, maximum stimulatory effect on ATPase activity was seen at the end of the 3rd week, while "high" dose stimulated the enzyme activities maximally by the 2nd week itself; further treatment up to the 4th week caused inhibition of the ATPase activities (10% to 43% decrease).