Nicotine stimulates angiogenesis and promotes tumor growth and atherosclerosis

We provide anatomic and functional evidence that nicotine induces angiogene sis. We also show that nicotine accelerates the growth of tumor and atherom a in association with increased neovascularization. Nicotine increased endo thelial-cell growth and tube formation in vitro, and accelerated fibrovascu lar growth in vivo. In a mouse model of hind-limb ischemia, nicotine increa sed capillary and collateral growth, and enhanced tissue perfusion. In mous e models of lung cancer and atherosclerosis, we found that nicotine enhance d lesion growth in association with an increase in lesion vascularity. Thes e effects of nicotine were mediated through nicotinic acetylcholine recepto rs at nicotine concentrations that are pathophysiologically relevant. The e ndothelial production of nitric oxide, prostacyclin and vascular endothelia l growth factor might have a role in these effects.