Nicotine lowers the body-weight set-point in male rats

Set-point of body weight was assessed by the behavioral method of the weight threshold to hoard food. Intra-peritoneal injection of nicotine (0.02–0.05 mg/kg) significantly lowered the ratsʹ body weight set-point by 8.5±2.7 and 19.2±2.6 g (p≤0.05). These results suggest that the administration of low-dose nicotine lowers the body-weight set-point and may be important in predicting the anticipated gain in weight frequently reported upon withdrawal.