Effects of nicotine on body weight, food consumption and body composition in male rats.

The present study examined the effects of nicotine administration and cessation on body weight, food consumption, and body composition in rats. Administration of nicotine was associated with attenuated body weight gains and cessation was associated with accelerated body weight gains. Changes in fat composition paralleled changes in body weight, whereas changes in body water and protein did not. These results suggest that nicotine administration decreases body weight through its effects on fat stores in the body. After cessation of nicotine, body fat rapidly approached levels of control animals.