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The effect of (‐)‐trans‐δ 9 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol on regional brain levels and subcellular distribution of monoamines in the rat
Author(s) -
Taylor D. A.,
Fennessy M. R.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.1979.tb00037.x
Subject(s) - 5 hydroxyindoleacetic acid , dopamine , serotonin , monoamine neurotransmitter , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , metabolite , biochemistry , biology , receptor
Summary 1. The effect of intravenously injected Δ 9 ‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 ‐THC, 2 mg/kg) on subcellular distribution in the whole brain and the regional brain levels of noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid were determined in the rat. 2. The levels of noradrenaline and dopamine were not altered by Δ 9 ‐THC in the hypothalamic, medullary and rest of brain areas, whereas those of serotonin and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid were elevated in the medullary and hypothalamic areas, respectively. 3. Δ 9 ‐THC did not alter the levels of these monoamines and the metabolite 10 min after injection; however, there was a shift of dopamine from the bound to the free fraction. On the other hand, there was a shift of 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid from the free to the bound fraction. 4. After 1 h, there was no difference in the subcellular ratios of noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid, even though the levels of dopamine and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid were increased. 5. It is suggested that the effects of Δ 9 ‐THC may be mediated by modification of the subcellular distribution of dopamine and serotonin.