Compared to men, women are both at increased risk of smoking-related morbidity and mortality, and have increased difficulty achieving smoking abstinence. Sex hormones (specifically progesterone, allopregnanolone, and estradiol) have been implicated in both the animal and clinical literature as having an effect on addictive behaviors. These sex hormones increase dramatically during pregnancy, providing an ideal clinical model for further investigation into this association. Therefore, the objective of this project is to investigate the relationship between sex hormones and smoking-related symptomatology in pregnancy and, a more controlled clinical model, oral contraceptives. We will address this objective by assessing two specific study aims: (1) investigate the association between levels of progesterone (Prog), allopregnanolone (Allo) and the estradiol/progesterone (E2/P) ratio with smoking-related symptomatology during ad libitum smoking, and (2) examine the association between levels of Prog, Allo and E2/P with the changes in smoking-related symptomatology and response to nicotine following overnight smoking abstinence.
These aims will be investigated by conducting one study with two samples: Sample 1 will be pregnant women (n=84) at either 16- 20 or 32-36 weeks gestation (two time points selected to ensure large variability in sex hormone levels). Sample 2 will incorporate a cross-over design to investigate low versus high levels of progesterone in a sample of oral contraceptive (OC) users (n=52). Participants in both samples will complete identical data collection procedures including providing biological samples of saliva (cortisol for stress), urine (nicotine exposure) and blood (sex hormones), as well as six days of ecological momentary assessments. Participants will also complete a nicotine response lab session following overnight abstinence. This study has several innovative aspects. Specifically, we will be among the first to investigate the association between sex hormones and smoking-related symptomatology during pregnancy, characterize allopregnanolone in pregnancy, and compare the effects of sex hormones on smoking-related symptomatology within two clinical models (pregnancy and OC users) known to have different levels of sex hormones. If our hypotheses are confirmed, the results of this study will advance the literature on the role of sex hormones in addictive behaviors. Further, this study has the potential to inform new and innovative smoking cessation treatments for women of childbearing age.

Public Health Relevance

Given the dramatic changes in sex hormones during pregnancy, paired with the knowledge that sex hormones have been shown to impact addictive behaviors in the non-pregnant female clinical population, this project aims to be among the first to characterize the relationship of elevated sex hormones on smoking-related symptomatology using pregnancy and oral contraceptive use as clinical models. If funded, the results of this study will directly inform future smoking cessation interventions for women of childbearing age.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA008075-18
Application #
8898745
Study Section
Risk, Prevention and Intervention for Addictions Study Section (RPIA)
Program Officer
Kimmel, Heather L
Project Start
1993-03-01
Project End
2016-08-31
Budget Start
2015-09-01
Budget End
2016-08-31
Support Year
18
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Department
Family Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
555917996
City
Minneapolis
State
MN
Country
United States
Zip Code
55455
Kia, Farnaaz; Tosun, Nicole; Carlson, Samantha et al. (2018) Examining characteristics associated with quitting smoking during pregnancy and relapse postpartum. Addict Behav 78:114-119
Carlson, Samantha C; Allen, Alicia M; Allen, Sharon S et al. (2017) Differences in mood and cortisol by menstrual phase during acute smoking abstinence: A within-subject comparison. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 25:338-345
Wetherill, Reagan R; Franklin, Teresa R; Allen, Sharon S (2016) Ovarian hormones, menstrual cycle phase, and smoking: a review with recommendations for future studies. Curr Addict Rep 3:1-8
Allen, Alicia M; al'Absi, Mustafa; Lando, Harry et al. (2015) Allopregnanolone association with psychophysiological and cognitive functions during acute smoking abstinence in premenopausal women. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 23:22-8
Hinderaker, Katie; Allen, Alicia M; Tosun, Nicole et al. (2015) The effect of combination oral contraceptives on smoking-related symptomatology during short-term smoking abstinence. Addict Behav 41:148-51
Huttlin, Eileen A; Allen, Alicia M; Tosun, Nicole L et al. (2015) Associations between adrenocortical activity and nicotine response in female smokers by menstrual phase. Addict Behav 50:135-9
Weinberger, Andrea H; Smith, Philip H; Allen, Sharon S et al. (2015) Systematic and meta-analytic review of research examining the impact of menstrual cycle phase and ovarian hormones on smoking and cessation. Nicotine Tob Res 17:407-21
Allen, Alicia M; Lunos, Scott; Heishman, Stephen J et al. (2015) Subjective response to nicotine by menstrual phase. Addict Behav 43:50-3
Allen, Sharon S; Allen, Alicia M; Tosun, Nicole et al. (2014) Smoking- and menstrual-related symptomatology during short-term smoking abstinence by menstrual phase and depressive symptoms. Addict Behav 39:901-6
Allen, Alicia M; Oncken, Cheryl; Hatsukami, Dorothy (2014) Women and Smoking: The Effect of Gender on the Epidemiology, Health Effects, and Cessation of Smoking. Curr Addict Rep 1:53-60

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