Continuous treatment with nicotine increases diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI) and its mRNA in the mouse brain.

ABSTRACT

Effect of chronic treatment with nicotine on DBI and its mRNA in mouse cerebral cortex were examined. Continuous treatment of mice with nicotine significantly increased DBI content and its mRNA expression, which was completely abolished by simultaneous administration of mecamylamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.). These results indicate that chronic functional interaction between nicotine and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors has a critical role in increases in DBI content and its mRNA expression.