title: The effect of (-)-trans-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on regional brain levels and subcellular distribution of monoamines in the rat.
abstract: 1. The effect of intravenously injected delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 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 delta 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 hypothalalmic areas, respectively. 3. delta 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 were increased. 5. It is suggested that the effects of delta 9-THC may be mediated by modification of the subcellular distribution of dopamine and serotonin.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000378:metabolism*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001679:Biogenic Amines; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D013759:Dronabinol; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine