Low Dose Nicotine Lower MDA Level and Does Not Affect Wall to Lumen Ratio in Surgically Menopausal Rats

摘要

Menopause is a condition where a woman lost protection from estrogen, causing susceptibility to arterial stenosis (atherosclerosis) induced by increased free radicals' activity and inflammation. It was reported that nicotine can reduce free radicals' activity and act as an anti-inflammatory agent. This study means to explore the possibility of nicotine usage to prevent atherosclerosis and to reduce free radical activity. We did experimental randomized post-test only controlled group research in 18-20 weeks old female Rattus norvegicus. We examined tail arterial histomorphometry, Wall to Lumen Ratio (WTLR), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) level of abdominal aorta as markers of free radical activity. The first group was normal rats (Sham). The second group represents the ovariectomy group (ovariectomy-only/Ovx). The third to the fifth group were ovariectomized and given nicotine in a dose of 0.25 mg/kg body weight (P1), 0.5 mg/kg (P2), and 0.75 mg/kg (P3). Group P1-P3 was given daily nicotine by oral route for 4 weeks, started from 3 weeks post-ovariectomy. MDA levels of P3 were significantly lower than Ovx group (p = 0.036, Tukey HSD). WTLR measurement found no significant differences across all groups. Finally, we conclude that nicotine has antioxidant properties and does not affect tail artery WTLR.