Abstract: Objective: To establish modified rat model of nicotine dependence-withdrawal syndrome by subcutaneous injection of nicotine, and observe mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency(TWL) after nicotine withdrawal. Methods: 30 SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, 6 rats per group, including Control group, normal saline group (NS group), nicotine 3mg/kg/d group (NT3 group), nicotine 9mg/kg/d group (NT9 group) and nicotine 18mg/kg/d group (NT18 group). Each group received no injection, subcutaneous injection of normal saline, nicotine 1mg/kg, 3mg/kg and 6mg/kg respectively three times a day for seven days. At 60min after the last injection of nicotine, subcutaneous injection of mecamylamine 1mg/kg was given for each rat. Weight changes of rat during injections of nicotine and after nicotine withdrawal, survival rate and its withdrawal symptoms score were recorded. In addition, Control group, NS group and NT9 group were selected, 6 rats in each group。MWT and TWL were determined in the right hind paw during nicotine withdrawal. Results: Compared with NT3 group, on the seventh day after injection of nicotine, weight gain of the rats was significantly slow in NT9 group and NT18 group (3.8±1.3g,2±0.3g vs 7.2±1.0g) (P<0.05); on the first and the second withdrawal day, weight gain of the rats was significantly rapid in NT9 group and NT18 group (P<0.01). Compared with NT3 group, the rats in NT9 group and NT18 group had significant more withdrawal symptoms after mecamylamine precipitation (P<0.01). The incidence of mortality in NT18 group was 17%. Compared with control group, MWT in NT9 group had significantly decreased on the first day(36.5±1.9g)and the second day(37.5±0.9g)of nicotine withdrawal (P<0.01); TWL also significantly decreased on the fourth withdrawal day(11.1±0.6s)(P<0.01). Conclusion: By continuous subcutaneous injection of nicotine 9mg/kg/d for seven days, modified rat model of nicotine dependence-withdrawal syndrome can be successfully established. The pain sensitivity increased in rats with nicotine withdrawal.
|