Nicotine, the addictive drug contained in cigarettes, has no therapeutic application and has detrimental effects on every cell in the body, including muscle cells. Aside from the obvious function of muscle for movement, muscle is important as it functions to produce force generation for locomotion and breathing, force generation for postural support, and heat production during periods of cold stress. Although muscles and nicotine are not typically associated with each other, it is important especially for athletes or anyone trying to build or maintain muscle mass to understand the harmful effects of nicotine.
Function
Although nicotine is a substance not produced by the body, it mimics the effects of acetylcholine, which happens to be the transmitter at the nerve/muscle junction. Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter that sends messages from the brain to muscle tissue, and controls energy levels and respiratory functions. According to a study published in the journal "Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry" in March 2007, nicotine is transmitted via nicotine acetylcholine receptors. Moreover, Discovery Health states that "like acetylcholine, nicotine leads to a burst of receptor activity." Once nicotine enters a muscle cell, it depletes the oxygen and nutrient supply and can even cause death.
Circulatory System
The circulatory system transports oxygenated blood and nutrients to muscle and other tissues according to their needs. Tobacco's stimulant effect on the respiratory tract diminishes upper airway resistance airflow, according to Scripps Research Institute research funded by the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program. With this, blood vessels constrict in order to raise blood pressure, resulting in decreased blood flow through blood vessels. Ultimately, a diminished amount of oxygenated blood and nutrients reaches muscle and other tissues.
Muscle Recovery and Catabolism
Nicotine also promotes insulin resistance, according to the information website Medical.net. This means the body takes longer to restore depleted glycogen to muscle tissue after exercise, and recovery time takes much longer. Muscle catabolism refers to muscle breakdown. Because nicotine can lead to a decreased appetite, individuals using nicotine are likely not eating enough to sustain muscle mass, leading to the likelihood of utilizing muscle for energy.
References
- Discovery Health: How Nicotine Works
- Scripps Research Institute: The Effect of Nicotine and Cigarette Smoke on Respiration
- MedIndia: Smoking Speeds Up Muscle Loss
- "Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry"; Nicotine Induces Oxidative Stress and Activates Nuclear Transcription Factor Kappa B in Rat Mesencephalic Cells; Johnny Barr et al.; March 2007
- "American Journal of Physiology"; Endocrinology and Metabolism"; Smoking Impairs Muscle Protein Synthesis and Increases the Expression of Myostatin and MAFbx in Muscle; A.M. Peterson et al.; October 2007
