Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol decreases alpha/beta interferon response to herpes simplex virus type 2 in the B6C3F1 mouse.
This study was undertaken to determine the effect of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) on polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly(I):poly(C)]-induced, and on herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-induced, alpha/beta interferon in the B6C3F1 mouse. Animals were administered delta 9-THC, or the diluent, intraperitoneally for 4 consecutive days or at various time intervals prior to administration of the interferon inducer. Poly(I):poly(C) or HSV-2 was injected intravenously on Day 4. Animals receiving poly(I):poly(C) and treated with delta 9-THC at doses ranging from 5 to 100 mg/kg exhibited significantly lower titers of interferon than mice given poly(I):poly(C) and the diluent. Diminished interferon titers occurred in HSV-2-infected animals treated with delta 9-THC in doses exceeding 15 mg/kg when compared to virus-infected animals given the diluent. This suppression of early interferon persisted through 24 hr.
D000818:Animals; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology
D007370:Interferon Type I; D013759:Dronabinol; D011070:Poly I-C