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

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, University of Missouri Medical Center, 65201, Columbia, Missouri

    Kevin J. Ivey MD, Facp & E. J. Triggs PhD

  2. A. W. Morrow Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missendown Road, Camperdown, 2050, Sydney, Australia

    Kevin J. Ivey MD, Facp & E. J. Triggs PhD

  3. Department of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, 2006, Sydney, Australia

    Kevin J. Ivey MD, Facp & E. J. Triggs PhD

Authors
  1. Kevin J. Ivey MD, Facp
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  2. E. J. Triggs PhD
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Additional information

This work was supported in part by grants from the Australian Tobacco Research Foundation, the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, and the Medical Research Service of the Veterans Administration. The technical assistance of Mr. P. Settree, BSc, is gratefully acknowledged.

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Ivey, K.J., Triggs, E.J. Absorption of nicotine by the human stomach and its effect on gastric ion fluxes and potential difference. Digest Dis Sci 23, 809–814 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01079790

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01079790

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