Elevation of brain prostaglandin E2 levels in rodents by delta 1-tetrahydrocannabinol.
An isotopic dilution procedure using specific prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) brain receptors was utilized to determine the changes in brain PGE2 levels subsequent to drug exposure. Delta-1-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 1-THC) stimulated PGE2 synthesis resulting in increased brain concentrations when compared with vehicle treated rats and mice. Indomethacin markedly inhibited the delta 1-THC elevated rise in PGE2 levels presumably by inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase. The delta 1-THC-induced increase in PGE2 brain levels was also suppressed by i.v. administered rabbit PGE2-antiserum. This suggests that one of the sites of delta 1-THC action is extracerebral and from here a portion of the released prostaglandins are transported to the brain. These results add further support to previous data that delta 1-THC given orally results in an increase in brain PGE2 levels.
Hunter
S A
SA
Department of Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655.
Audette
C A
CA
Burstein
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014316:Tritium
D000906:Antibodies; D014316:Tritium; D013759:Dronabinol; D015232:Dinoprostone; D007213:Indomethacin