title: Effects of chronic delta-9-THC treatment on cardiac beta-adrenoceptors in rats.
abstract: This study was designed to determine if chronic treatment with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) alters cardiac beta-adrenoceptors in the rat. Following daily oral administration of 10 or 20 mg/kg THC or an equivalent volume of control solvent for 90 days, rats were sacrificed, and sarcolemmal membranes were prepared from ventricular myocardium. Beta-adrenoceptor density and binding affinity estimated with (-)[3H]dihydroalprenolol; a beta-adrenergic antagonist, were not significantly affected by treatment with THC when compared to vehicle controls. These results suggest that the tolerance to cardiovascular effects of THC which develops during chronic exposure in the rat is not associated with alterations in cardiac beta-adrenoceptors as monitored by radiolabeled antagonist binding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Interdisciplinary Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seifen
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kafiluddi
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Paule
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Scallet
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Slikker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004082:Dihydroalprenolol / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects*; D012508:Sarcolemma / Q000378:metabolism; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D014316:Tritium; D004082:Dihydroalprenolol; D013759:Dronabinol