Background: Following observations on the effect of subcutaneous nicotine on rectal mucosal eicosanoids and mucus in the rabbit we have repeated the work in ferrets which may be a more suitable animal model.
Aims and methods: The effect of nicotine on mucosal eicosanoids, the adherent mucus layer, and faecal proteinases in the large bowel of ferrets was examined in forty animals randomly allocated to five groups, a control and four treatment groups. They were given subcutaneous saline or nicotine via an Alzet pump in doses of 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 and 2.0 mg/kg/day for 10 days and then sacrificed; measurements were made of serum nicotine and cotinine levels, rectal mucosal eicosanoids, adherent rectal and colonic mucus thickness, and faecal proteinases.
Results: No significant differences were observed for any measurements, except for serum nicotine and cotinine levels, which were raised consistent with the dose given.
Conclusion: Nicotine had no effect on measurements, which may possibly be important in the relationship between smoking and ulcerative colitis.