The role of adrenal catecholamines in the release of corticosterone and fatty acids by nicotine in the rat.

Subcutaneous injection of 0.4 mg/kg nicotine to rats caused an increase in the plasma levels of corticosterone and free fatty acids. Similar rises occur when the same animals were stressed by placing them on an elevated platform. Bilateral adrenal demedullation abolished the response of both corticosterone and free fatty acids to nicotine. Stress, however, still resulted in a significant elevation of plasma corticosterone whereas fatty acid levels were only marginally affected. It is suggested that the principal effect of nicotine is mediated via adrenal release of catecholamines and that centrally mediated stimulation is not significant.