Nicotine has its benefits

[TropicalBob]

Nicotine may prevent bioterrorism damage

May 6, 2009

BRIGHTON, England, May 6 (UPI) -- British scientists say they've determined nicotine can delay the effects of ricin used during a bioterrorism attack.

Jon Mabley and his colleagues at the University of Brighton found nicotine works to block the tissue-destroying effects of ricin -- a highly toxic compound derived from castor beans. The study was conducted in laboratory models, but the scientists said nicotine agonists could potentially be used in patients exposed to ricin as a stopgap measure before other treatments take effect.

The British investigators studied the effect of nicotine on animals exposed to ricin and found it reduced death and organ failure.

"The protective effect of nicotine appears to be associated with its anti-inflammatory effect, suggesting a possible therapeutic strategy of activating the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway following ricin exposure to protect against multiple organ failure," the scientists said. "The overall effect of nicotine on maintaining liver and kidney function, while reducing systemic inflammation, may account for the reduced mortality observed with ricin exposure."

Activation of the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway is now undergoing testing to reduce inflammation in a wide range of diseases.

The study appears in the journal Molecular Medicine.

[dEFinitionofEPIC]

Interesting. I wonder (since the world seems to change in cycles) if one day nicotine (obtained from safer sources than smoking of course) will be considered beneficial to one's health and its use will actually be encouraged. Granted, this is FAR in the future as society has cycled into an anti-nicotine crusade at the current time.

I've read from several sources how nicotine can decrease the chance of one getting Alzheimer's disease (something I'm highly afraid of ever having to deal with) among other things. Nicotine obtained from relatively safe sources may actually end up being good for the body in low doses and in certain situations. With all the steroids in our meats and all the artificial garbage in most of our food can nicotine really be all that bad in comparison?

It would be interesting if one day it was "determined" that the pros of nicotine actually outweighed the cons. Whatever the case... this article just gives me another reason (though hopefully I'll never be exposed to ricin ) to love Vitamin N.

[gashin]

Who knows, maybe smokers and vapers will actually evolve through naturalsection and become dominant if a widespread bio attack happened... or if the birth rate drops and lifespans continue to expand we'll have the advantage of having less severe onset Alzheimer's and Parkinsons which everyone will eventually experience with age.

[RedBullHighBride]

I think I have more chance of being crushed by a cola machine whilst holding a winning lottery ticket than of being caught up in a bio-terrorism attack, but I'll keep on enjoying nicotine just in case

[Drewsworld]

Red thats funny....Whats even funnier is a freind of mine was actually crushed by a cola machine and was trapped under it for several hours!..broke both legs and partially collapsed one of his lungs, he almost died!!!

[RedBullHighBride]

Red thats funny....Whats even funnier is a freind of mine was actually crushed by a cola machine and was trapped under it for several hours!..broke both legs and partially collapsed one of his lungs, he almost died!!!

It's more common than being eaten by a shark, apparently. My housemate's surfing buddy was eaten by a shark in March FOXNews.com - French Surfer Killed in Gruesome Pacific Shark Attack - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News Fox news, sorry.

I hope your friend is feeling better.

Both are more likely than ricin poisoning I reckon, not to diminish Tropical Bob's input, thanks Bob.

[LuckySevens4U]

Does this mean I can vape myself silly now, TB? lol

[Drewsworld]

This actually happened along time ago , when he used to drink too much ....He is fully recovered and fine....Complete with steel reinforcement

[RedBullHighBride]

This actually happened along time ago , when he used to drink too much ....He is fully recovered and fine....Complete with steel reinforcement

Ah, upgrades!

[TropicalBob]

Vape yourself silly, Lucky. You have full permission, knowing the protection being provided against bioterrorism, various aging diseases and perhaps Swine Flu. More reasons to love the e-cig.