Chapter 22 - Nicotine Exposure during Early Development: Effects on the Lung

Abstract

Experimental studies have shown that prenatal nicotine exposure produces alterations in lung development and lung function that parallel those observed in infants of mothers who smoked during pregnancy. Nicotine and products of nicotine metabolism can affect lung growth, development, and function via several mechanisms, such as interfering with carbohydrate metabolism, inducing an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, and premature aging of the lungs of the offspring, as well as compromised lung function later in life. These effects are programmed during pregnancy and are transgenerational. Understanding the mechanisms whereby prenatal tobacco smoke exposure alters lung development, and eventually lung function, may lead to therapeutic interventions to block its effects as well as help to further discourage smoking or the use of nicotine replacement therapies during pregnancy.