Skin color reveals nicotine dependence

High-density melanin (also known as melanin) - a pigment in the skin and hair - may cause smokers with darker skin pigmentation to be more dependent on nicotine and other related carcinogens. to tobacco compared to light-skinned smokers - quoted scientists.

Gary King, professor of behavioral health at Penn State University, said: 'We found that melanin density is directly related to the number of cigarettes a person smokes during the day, as well as nicotine dependence. , and the effects of nicotine in African Americans. '

Professor King said previous studies have shown that melanin has a biochemical attraction to nicotine. It is this bond that can lead to the accumulation of addictive agents in melanin-containing tissues in smokers with dark skin.

'The main problem in this study is that if nicotine is indeed binding to melanin, people with higher levels of melanin will have different smoking, tobacco dependence and health conditions than those with King Melanin, ' King explained. 'In addition, the addiction process can be much longer and more powerful.'

The findings of the research team are presented in the June issue of Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior.

In order to investigate the factors that linked tobacco use and skin color to nicotine levels, in the summer of 2007, researchers selected 150 adult African Americans to smoke from three different areas of the city. Harrisburg Street. Participants provided research on the number of cigarettes they smoked every day and answered a questionnaire called Evaluation of nicotine dependence with fagerstrom test (FTND).

Researchers also measured levels of cotinine in smokers. Cotinine is a metabolic byproduct of nicotine, and is used as a biomarker in tobacco use research. Professor King and colleagues suspect that nicotine's half-life, along with tobacco toxins, may be prolonged due to accumulation in melanin-containing tissues.

Nicotine in tobacco affects skin color.

Statistical analyzes of data on 3 smoking-related factors - number of cigarettes smoked per day, FTND results, and cotinine content - along with a host of other variables such as age, process Education, demographic factors have revealed that the total amount of melanin in the body (melanin acquired by genetics plus melanin due to the influence of sunlight) is clearly related to the number of cigarettes smoked in one date as well as FTND results. This relationship will not be detected if only the basic amount of melanin is calculated, ie melanin in the body due to heredity.

However, researchers at Pen State University warn that more extensive research is needed, with different levels of skin color, to get a clearer picture of the relationship between colors. skin and nicotine addiction.

'We also think that studies are conducted at different times of the year, in different geographical areas, avoiding seasonal variations, such as the effect of sunlight on the skin. summer, ' explained King. 'In addition, nicotine levels may also be affected by other factors such as alcohol intake, exercise habits, diet, fat intake, and stress. Future research will have to control both these factors. '

According to the professor, the findings from this study may be an explanation for smoking African Americans - people with darker skin, or more likely to have tobacco-related illnesses than usual, and it is always more difficult to quit smoking.

'One question we want to answer is, why do African-Americans have a lower rate of quitting than whites,' said King. 'This research result can help us find a clearer answer.'

Previously, other studies have shown that, although African Americans smoke less than others, their bodies absorb a greater amount of nicotine from each cigarette.