Nicotine: therapeutic potential for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Green, John T., Thomas, Gareth A. O. and Rhodes, John 1997. Nicotine: therapeutic potential for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 6 (1) , pp. 17-22. 10.1517/13543784.6.1.17

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Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is predominantly a disease of non-smokers, and nicotine may be the agent responsible for this association. Transdermal nicotine has been shown to improve disease activity and sigmoidoscopic appearance in the active disease but in one study had no effect on maintenance of remission. Since side-effects with nicotine patches occur in up to two thirds of patients, attempts to reduce systemic levels and improve drug tolerance have been developed with colonic delivery systems of nicotine. Preliminary observations with nicotine enemas in UC have shown clinical benefit, but controlled trials are needed. Mechanisms responsible for the association of smoking with colitis and for the therapeutic effect of nicotine remain an enigma; possibilities include: modulation of the immune response, alterations of colonic mucus and eicosanoid production, changes in rectal blood flow, decreased intestinal permeability and the release of endogenous glucocorticoids. With current treatment for UC limited to corticosteroids and formulations of 5-aminosalicylic acid, alternative treatments are required and nicotine may fulfil this role.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Medicine
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	1354-3784
Last Modified:	11 Aug 2026 09:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/188859

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