The American Journal of Digestive Diseases

, Volume 23, Issue 9, pp 809–814

Absorption of nicotine by the human stomach and its effect on gastric ion fluxes and potential difference

  • Kevin J. Ivey
  • E. J. Triggs
Original Articles

DOI: 10.1007/BF01079790

Cite this article as:
Ivey, K.J. & Triggs, E.J. Digest Dis Sci (1978) 23: 809. doi:10.1007/BF01079790

Abstract

We studied gastric absorption of nicotine and the effect of oral nicotine, intravenous nicotine, and cigarette smoking on ion fluxes and potential difference in the human stomach. Nicotine was well absorbed, mean 18.6±3.4% in 15 min, on intragastric instillation at pH 9.8. Absorption was accompanied by side effects of nausea and vomiting, and delay in gastric emptying. Gastric absorption of nicotine at pH 7.4 was less marked (mean 8.2±2.9%), but was negligible at pH 1 (mean 3.3±1.4%). Intragastric nicotine at pH 7.4 and 9.8 stimulated gastric acid output either during instillation (pH 9.8) or during subsequent acid instillation (pH 7.4). Rapid cigarette smoking and intravenous nicotine suppressed gastric acid output. Neither oral administration nor intravenous infusion of 4 mg nicotine base per hour nor smoking 3–5 cigarettes per hour significantly altered the gastric mucosal barrier as measured by gastric ionic fluxes and potential difference. In conclustion, (1) the base nicotine (pKα8.5) is well absorbed from the human stomach at pH 9.8, but poorly absorbed at pH 1.0; (2) gastric absorption of nicotine delays gastric emptying; (3) intragastric nicotine at and above neutral pH appears to have a mild stimulating effect on gastric acid output, while rapid cigarette smoking or intravenous infusion of nicotine suppresses acid output; (4) nicotine does not alter the gastric mucosal barrier to sodium ion movement nor affect potential difference.

Copyright information

© Digestive Disease Systems Inc 1978

Authors and Affiliations

  • Kevin J. Ivey
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
  • E. J. Triggs
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
  1. 1.Department of Medicine, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans HospitalUniversity of Missouri Medical CenterColumbia
  2. 2.A. W. Morrow Department of GastroenterologyRoyal Prince Alfred HospitalSydneyAustralia
  3. 3.Department of PharmacyUniversity of SydneySydneyAustralia