ACCUMULATION OF NICOTINE IN PANCREATIC ISLETS AND CALCITONIN-PRODUCING CELLS IN MICE AND CHICKS DEMONSTRATED BY MICRO- AND WHOLE-BODY AUTORADIOGRAPHY

Abstract

SUMMARY By autoradiographic methods, nicotine was shown to be specifically accumulated in the pancreatic islets in mice. The results also indicated a high accumulation of nicotine in the parafollicular cells of the thyroid in mice and an accumulation was also shown in the ultimobranchial glands in chicks. Like the parafollicular cells of the thyroid in mammals, the ultimobranchial glands of birds are known to produce calcitonin. Metabolic studies with nicotine in vitro and autoradiographic studies with the main nicotine-metabolite cotinine, indicated an accumulation of unchanged nicotine (not metabolites) in the cells. The results are discussed in view of the fact that biogenic amines have been shown to be operative in these endocrine organs. It is suggested that nicotine can share common transport and/or storage mechanisms with biogenic amines in the cells. An effect of nicotine on hormone storage and/or release may take place via an interference with aminergic mechanisms in the cells.