Nicotine Prevents Weight Gain and Increases SOD Activity in Surgically Menopausal Rat

摘要

In the beginning of the menopause transition, most women experience an increase in body weight and fat along with a decrease in lean body mass. Obesity during menopause is related to many diseases, including cardiovascular accident. Nicotine can activate a7nAChR which improves energy homeostasis. Nicotine also suppresses appetite and decreases body weight. Nicotine also increases antioxidant activity. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of nicotine in preventing weight gain and increasing Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity in ovariectomized Wistar rats. Sham is the first group. The next groups were ovariectomized. The second group was the ovariectomized (ovariectomy-only/Ovx). The third to fifth groups were dose 1 (P1 - .0.25 mg/kg), dose 2 (P2 - 0,5 mg/kg), and dose 3 (P3 - 0,75 mg/kg) treatment groups. Group P1-P3 were given daily per-oral nicotine for 28 days, started three weeks after ovariectomy. All nicotine-treated groups showed lower body weight and weight gain compared to Ovx group. Group P2 and P3 have significant lower body weight compared to Ovx group. P3 group has significantly higher SOD activity compared to the Ovx group. We conclude that nicotine administration can prevent weight gain and has antioxidant manner.