Effect of Nicotine on ATPase, Catalase and Calcium Levels in the Presence of Oligoelements in Brain Regions of Young Rats

The effect of nicotine on membrane alterations and fluidity changes in very young models remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nicotine on total ATPase, H2O2 and calcium in brain of young rats in the presence of oligoelements. Male Wistar rats (weight 80g) received intraperitoneally either a single dose or repeated doses for 4 days as follows: Group 1 (control) NaCl 0.9%; group 2 nicotine (1mg/kg); group 3 oligoelements (50μl); and group 4 nicotine (1mg/kg) + oligoelements (50μl). The brain regions (cortex, hemispheres and cerebellum + medulla oblongata) of each rat were then obtained to measure the concentrations of total ATPase, H2O2 and calcium using spectrophotometric methods. Results: Total ATPase increased significantly (p<0.05) in groups treated with oligoelements in repeated doses in hemisphere region, and in groups that received oligoelements + nicotine in single or repeated doses in medulla oblongata. Catalase showed significant decreased in cerebellum/medulla oblongata. Results suggest that nicotine induces changes in membrane fluidity in brain of young rats, and that ATPase could be a biomarker of nicotine consumption in young subjects.