degradation. Given the induction of CYP2E1 by nicotine requires multiple doses and does not interact with the catalytic function of CYP2E1, it is thought that the mechanism behind nicotine induction is not through protein stabilization. (Micu et al., 2003; Schoedel and Tyndale, 2003) Since the molar concentrations are vastly different it is unlikely that both nicotine and alcohol could stabilize CYP2E1 by the same mechanism. Since ethanol and nicotine likely induce CYP2E1 through different mechanisms, these two drugs may have an additive effect on CYP2E1 induction and function (Schoedel and Tyndale, 2003). The ability to induce CYP2E1 activity by nicotine, but not alcohol, could be dependent on basal transcription rates that could be affected by gene copy number.
