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Spice Synthetic Cannabinoid Drugs: Lung and Adrenal Cell Models
Author(s) -
Vanderpuye Oluseyi Adewale,
Smith Toni,
Walker Brandon,
Gilbert Myrone,
Okediji Olatunde
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.1033.4
Subject(s) - spice , synthetic cannabinoids , gliclazide , pharmacology , cannabinoid receptor , cannabinoid , chemistry , biology , receptor , biochemistry , endocrinology , agonist , insulin , electrical engineering , engineering
‘Spice’ refers to designer drugs consisting of plant materials spiked with different synthetic mimetics of delta tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive compound in marijuana. The toxicology and bioactivity of many synthetic cannabinoids are unknown including Spice brands: Barely Legal, Brain Storm and Voodoo. It was hypothesized that the ‘Spice’ brands Barely Legal, Brain Storm and Voodoo Child contain different compounds, overlap in biological activities with delta THC and affect cell physiology and morphology. This study sought possible biomarkers for the effects of ‘Spice’. Fluorescence microscopy detected cannabinoid receptor type 2 proteins but not type 1 receptors on A549 and SW‐13 cells. The complement system regulatory proteins CD46 and CD59 but not CD55 were detected on A549 and SW‐13 cells. Glycoconjugate profiles on these cells were characterized by lectin binding. Exposure to delta THC and Barely Legal Spice caused stronger Con A lectin binding to A549 lung cells than did exposure to Brainstorm Spice or control media. This study is the first description of the complement regulatory protein profile of adrenal gland cells and provided carbohydrate structure profiles of A549 and SW‐13 cells as detected by lectin binding. The results will facilitate more detailed analysis of the toxicology and bioactivities of spice.