Acute nicotine effects on ghrelin levels in non-smokers: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study

Weight gain after smoking cessation is considered a major cause of more than 65% of persons experiencing a relapse within the first year after quitting. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of weight gain induced by smoking cessation seems to be crucial to improve the outcome of quitting programs. It is speculated by several authors that weight gain after smoking cessation might be substantially mediated by the recently discovered orexigenic peptide ghrelin, as plasma levels of ghrelin correlate closely with hunger and feeding behaviour. In the light of the lack of evidence underlining those speculations, the hypothesis that nicotine application acutely reduces serum-levels of ghrelin in non-smokers is tested. Secondarily, the acute effects of nicotine ingestion on the serum levels of other appetite regulating hormones like insulin, cortisol, adiponectin, resistin and leptin are investigated.
Nicotine was applied as chewing gum to exclude effects of tobacco ingredients. This experiment was conducted in a double-blind setting including a placebo condition in which subjects received a sugar-free chewing gum. Both conditions were arranged in a randomized crossover design in 28 participants.

Researchers:
Maximilian Pilhatsch
Hannah Scheuing
Michael N. Smolka

Collaborations:
Ulrich S. Zimmermann, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany