Archive | 2019
HIV-Infected Subjects and Tobacco Smoking: A Focus on Nicotine Effects in the Brain
Abstract
Abstract Despite the numerous diseases known to be associated with the smoking habit, tobacco consumption has persisted, largely owing to nicotine s addictive properties. Notably, nicotine targets nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system, resulting in upregulation of these receptors, a response linked to nicotine addiction. HIV-infected individuals smoke more than the normal population. For HIV-infected individuals whose health is compromised, smoking and nicotine consumption cause even more harm by accelerating neurocognitive deterioration and further depressing the central nervous system. Moreover, the presence of virotoxins and nicotine permeabilizes the blood-brain barrier, thus facilitating infected macrophages to trespass and subsequently release HIV and proinflammatory cytokines. Together, these alterations significantly contribute to HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Smoking cessation studies demonstrate little adherence to the therapy, low abstinence, and scarce adherence to antiretroviral therapy, which is highlighted by risk behaviors that worsen the infection.