Effect of nicotine on isolated human blood vessels
Holmberg, J.T.; Thulesius, O.; Gjöres, J.E.
Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica. Supplementum 465: 71-73
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-1860 PMID: 1069439 Document Number: 96614
The action of nicotine was studied in isolated human vascular strip preparations using isometric recording of tension. Nicotine per se did not elicit any significant changes of smooth muscle tone. The effect of noradrenaline and direct smooth muscle stimulation, however, was enhanced. This action presumably is not dependent upon an adrenergic nervous mechanism, as in the intact organism but seems to be dependent upon a direct smooth muscle stimulation in itself not sufficiently strong to induce a contraction but leading to facilitated stimulation and propagation of the response.