Possible Interaction: Nicotine and Progesterone

“These results are in contrast with previous studies showing that progesterone attenuates the subjective response to cocaine and nicotine.”

“Previous studies suggest possible modulatory effects of progesterone on nicotine addiction.”

“In a series of studies, Concas et al. show that acute and chronic administration of nicotine and morphine modulate both central and peripheral levels of progesterone , pregnenolone, and allopregnanolone (3α5α tetrahydroprogesterone; 3α-5α THP).”

“We hypothesized that increased progesterone would blunt the nicotine response whereby producing less change in motor speed and cognition in response to nicotine exposure.”

“ Nicotine has a direct disturbing influence on steroid hormones (estrogen and progesterone ), which are essential components of the female reproductive system, but the effect of nicotine on the hormone receptors is not yet clear.”

“ Progesterone administration was associated with decreased positive and increased negative subjective effects of nicotine.”

“ResultsAcute intraperitoneal administration of nicotine (0.3–2 mg kg−1) or morphine (5–30 mg kg−1) induced dose- and time-dependent increases in the cerebrocortical and plasma concentrations of pregnenolone, progesterone , and allopregnanolone.”

“ Nicotine also increased the plasma concentrations of pregnenolone and progesterone , whereas failed to affect significantly those of allopregnanolone or THDOC.”

“In addition, progesterone and 17beta-estradiol blocked nicotine activation of alpha(4)beta(2) neuronal acetylcholine nicotinic receptors expressed in oocytes.”

“ Progesterone (1 μM) markedly reduced the response to nicotine , a possible reflection of the ion channel blocking activity of high concentrations of this compound.”