Work

The role of the gut microbiome in nicotine withdrawal and dependence

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Smoking is considered a global pandemic, with more than 1.3 billion people being active smokers. Increasing evidence suggests that nicotine exposure can lead to changes in the gut microbiome, increases in permeability, and impaired mucosal immune responses in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the literature on behavioral aspects of nicotine-microbiome interaction, such as dependence and withdrawal, is limited. In this study, we used homologous fecal material transplants (FMT) to modify the gut microbiome and its impact on the intensity of nicotine withdrawal in mice. METHODS: We used osmotic minipumps (MPs) as an application of chronic nicotine for 15 days and orally gavaged FMT 2x a day to the mice. We assessed the nicotine withdrawal by measuring the number of somatic signs and anxiety-like behaviors at 24 h and 1 week after the mini pump removal. Fecal samples were also collected points to identify the gut microbiome changes. RESULTS: Fecal transplants reduced the number of somatic signs and anxiety-like behaviors in nicotine-treated mice up to a week after the removal of MPs. The shotgun metagenomic results of the fecal samples from 24 h after MP removal time point show altered gut microbiome with a significant shift in the species composition between the nicotine-treated and its homologous FMT treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that under our experimental conditions, fecal transplant can reduce the severity of nicotine withdrawal. This suggests that interactions along the gut-brain axis are important for the development of nicotine dependence and might help lower the risk of cancer and other serious health problems in humans. IMPLICATIONS: This report shows for the first time that the gut microbiome may modulate nicotine withdrawal intensity in mice. Homologous fecal material transplants (FMT) prevented nicotine-induced gut microbiome dysbiosis and consequently reduced withdrawal severity in mice. These results may have important implications in the management of smoking cessation.

Source: Nicotine & Tobacco Research

DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntag057

Authors: Eda Koseli, Katarzyna M Tyc, Belle Buzzi, Hamid I Akbarali, M Imad Damaj

Institution: Virginia Commonwealth University

Language: English

Topic: Gut microbiota and health

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute