Abstract
This study was to find the probable effect of Nicotiana tabacum (snuff) on the histological features of the pancreas of adult wistar rats. Nicotiana tabacum is a product of smokeless tobacco which contains many toxins and high levels of nicotine. Twenty male wistar rats weighing 200-210g were used for this study. The control group received distilled water, while the experimental groups received 0.4mg/ml to 0.8mg/ml of snuff solution respectively for 6 weeks, orally with the aid of orogastric tube. Behavioral changes observed includes; polydipsia, polyuria, rapid discharge of faecal droppings, tremor, restlessness, and hyperpnoea. These observations were more intense the in group of animals that received 0.80mg/ml of snuff solution. Histological changes showed degeneration, vacuolation and necrosis of pancreatic acinar cells, hyperplasia of islet of Langerhans in the group that received 0.8mg/ml of snuff. These changes may be attributed to one or more constituents of snuff such as nicotine which has cytotoxic activity. Keywords: Nicotiana tabacum, histology, pancreas, wistar ratsGlobal Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol. 14 (3) 2008: pp. 339-342
Highlights
Nicotiana tabacum is a term widely used for powdered tobacco (Plaide and Hoffmann, 1980)
Polydipsia and polyuria observed in groups B, C and D was due to the stimulating action of nicotine content of snuff on the exocrine portion of the pancreas leading to secretion of large quantities of pancreatic juice, water and bicarbonate ions
The tremor, restlessness and increased respiratory rate observed in the treated group may be due to the stimulatory action of nicotine on the adrenal gland resulting in the discharge of epinephrine
Summary
Nicotiana tabacum (snuff) is a term widely used for powdered tobacco (Plaide and Hoffmann, 1980). The major alkaloid in tobacco is nicotine, there are other alkaloids in tobacco which may be of pharmacological importance These include nornicotine, anabasine, myosine, nicotyine and anatabine. Despite the wide consumption of tobacco by smoking, inhalation of dust and chewing in our society, still there is much to be known about its action on different organs, tissues and hormones. The pancreas is soft lobulated and elongated organ that lies more or less transversely across the posterior abdominal wall, at the level of the first and second lumbar vertebrae It is partly exocrine and partly endocrine. The aim of this study was to find out the effect of Nicotiana tabacum on the histological features of pancreas of adult wistar rats which has not been previously reported
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