Hormonal effects of smoking--II: Effects on plasma cortisol, growth hormone, and prolactin

Effect of smoking on the plasma levels of cortisol, growth hormone, and prolactin was evaluated in a group of smokers and nonsmokers. Plasma levels of these hormones were measured under basal conditions and following a short burst of smoking. In addition, to determine the mechanism of action of nicotine on the release of these hormones, rat renal cortical slices were incubated with nicotine and the generation of cyclic AMP was measured in vitro. Increasing concentrations of nicotine in the incubation medium resulted in increased generation of cyclic AMP. Basal levels of plasma cortisol were similar for both smokers and nonsmokers. After smoking, the cortisol levels increased significantly among smokers only and the levels achieved were significantly higher compared with nonsmokers. Mean prolactin curves were higher among nonsmokers compared with smokers, whereas growth hormone levels were similar in the two groups. These data suggest that the effects of smoking on pituitary/adrenal hormones differ among smokers and nonsmokers and that these effects may be mediated through increased generation of cyclic AMP induced by nicotine.