In vitro activation of amphibian dermal melanocytes by nicotine

Epidemiologic investigations have shown that nicotine could be a factor causing oral melanin pigmentation in man. Nicotine was therefore tested on amphibian skin melanocytes. Cell reactions were registered by spectrophotometry, in vitro light microscopy, photomicrography and light and electron microscopy. It was found that dermal melanocytes in the toad Bufo bufo and the frog Rana arvalis were activated by nicotine and that this activation was not mediated via beta-adrenergic receptors in melanocytes.