Electronic Vaporization of Nicotine Salt or Freebase produces differential effects on metabolism, neuronal activity and behavior in male and female C57BL/6J mice
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: The use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) is increasing in prevalence and popularity. ENDS are a rapidly evolving technology as devices and e-liquid formulations adapt to policy restrictions and market demand To identify the impacts of nicotine formulation and concentration, we exposed female and male C57BL/6J mice to passive electronic vaporization of different nicotine formulations (freebase or salt) and concentrations (1% or 3%) and measured serum nicotine metabolite levels, brain activity by cFos expression, and anxiety-like and motivated behavior using the novelty suppressed feeding test. We found that the 3% freebase nicotine vapor group displayed significantly higher serum nicotine levels than either 1% or 3% nicotine salt formulations, and female mice displayed higher serum nicotine and cotinine levels compared to males. Central amygdala (CeA) activity was significantly elevated in male mice following nicotine vapor exposure, but the increase was not significantly different between nicotine vapor groups. CeA activity in female mice was unaffected. In contrast increased activity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) was only observed in female mice exposed to 3% nicotine freebase and specifically in the dopaminergic population. Anxiety-like behavior in female mice was relatively unaffected by nicotine vapor exposure, however male mice displayed increased anxiety-like behavior and reduced motivation to feed after vapor exposure, specifically in the 3% freebase group. These results identify important sex differences in the impact of nicotine formulation and concentration on nicotine metabolism, brain region-specific activity and anxiety-like behavior, which may have significant relevance for different consequences of vaping in men and women.
Source: Addiction Neuroscience
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,500
Funders: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Awards: Impact of electronic nicotine vapor on mouse mesolimbic CRFR1 circuitry and motivated behavior, The role of a nucleus tractus solitarius-central amygdala circuit in alcohol-induced plasticity and drinking behavior, Development of Novel Mycolytic Therapies for Lung Disease, Molecular and Circuit Pathogenesis of Alcohol Use Disorders, Neuroscience Predoctoral Training at UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility, UNC Cystic Fibrosis Research and Translation Core Center
OpenAlex ID: W4361263996