title: In vivo inhibition of enterocyte metabolism by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
abstract: Mice were given 10 to 100 mg/kg by stomach tube of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a single dose or for 4 consecutive days. [3H]Thymidine or [3H]glucosamine was given 3 or 24 hr before sacrifice. Enterocytes were isolated, and the incorporation of radioactivity into the acid insoluble fraction was measured. THC significantly inhibits in a dose-related fashion (from 10 to 90%) in vivo enterocyte metabolism. This inhibition is found in all enterocytes whatever their position in the intestinal tract; it is also independent of the state of differentiation of enterocytes. After a single ingestion of THC, crypt cells which synthesize DNA incorporate 37 to 45% less thymidine, and villus cells, which synthesize important amounts of glycoproteins, incorporate 15 to 39% less glucosamine. After 4 days of THC administration, the inhibition of thymidine incorporation is even more significant (up to 88%).
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D013759:Dronabinol; D005944:Glucosamine; D013936:Thymidine