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A novel self-inhaled nicotine exposure system in murine models reveals age-dependent metabolic effects of nicotine
Xu Xu1,2, Hailan Liu1, Meng Yu1
1Department of Pediatrics, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, 1100 Bates Street #8066, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Background:
Nicotine is known to influence metabolism and body weight, yet existing murine models of nicotine exposure often fail to replicate human smoking behaviors accurately. To address this gap, we designed a cost-effective, self-administered nicotine inhalation system that allows mice to voluntarily inhale nicotine vapor generated from e-liquid.
Results:
Using this system, we investigated the metabolic effects of nicotine exposure in adult and adolescent mice. Adult mice exposed to nicotine vapor for 10 days exhibited significant weight loss, which was rapidly regained upon cessation, paralleling human smoking patterns. In contrast, adolescent mice did not lose weight during nicotine exposure but experienced increased fat mass accumulation after cessation. These results highlight critical age-dependent differences in nicotine's metabolic effects and challenge the common perception that nicotine aids in weight control among adolescents.
Conclusions:
Our novel e-liquid-based inhalation model provides a valuable tool for studying nicotine's physiological and behavioral effects, with implications for understanding smoking-related health risks and addiction mechanisms.
