Nicotine Blocks Brain Estrogen Synthase (Aromatase): In Vivo Positron Emission Tomography Studies in Female Baboons

Journal Article · Tue Jan 12 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Biological Psychiatry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.01.004· OSTI ID:1014294

Biegon, A; Biegon, A; Kim, S -W; Logan, J; Hooker, J M; Muench, L; Fowler, J S

Cigarette smoking and nicotine have complex effects on human physiology and behavior, including some effects similar to those elicited by inhibition of aromatase, the last enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis. We report the first in vivo primate study to determine whether there is a direct effect of nicotine administration on brain aromatase. Brain aromatase availability was examined with positron emission tomography and the selective aromatase inhibitor [{sup 11}C]vorozole in six baboons before and after exposure to IV nicotine at .015 and .03 mg/kg. Nicotine administration produced significant, dose-dependent reductions in [{sup 11}C]vorozole binding. The amygdala and preoptic area showed the largest reductions. Plasma levels of nicotine and its major metabolite cotinine were similar to those found in cigarette smokers. Nicotine interacts in vivo with primate brain aromatase in regions involved in mood, aggression, and sexual behavior.

• Research Organization: BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY (BNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - OFFICE OF SCIENCE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1014294
• Report Number(s): BNL--91383-2010-JA
• Journal Information: Biological Psychiatry, Journal Name: Biological Psychiatry Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 67; ISSN BIPCBF; ISSN 0006-3223
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
AVAILABILITY
Amygdala
BABOONS
BIOSYNTHESIS
BRAIN
CYP19
ENZYMES
ESTROGENS
FEMALES
IN VIVO
METABOLITES
NICOTINE
PHYSIOLOGY
PLASMA
POSITRON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
PRIMATES
TOBACCO PRODUCTS
TOBACCO SMOKES
baboons
extragonadal estrogen
imaging