Marihuana inhibits dihydrotestosterone binding to the androgen receptor.
Marihuana and its constitutents delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) and cannabinol (CBN) were tested for their ability to interact with the androgen receptor in rat prostate cytosol. Smoked marihuana condensate, delta 9-THC, and CBN inhibit specific binding of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to the androgen receptor with a dissociatin constant of the inhibitors (Li) of 2.1-5.8 X 10(-7)M. in addition, other metabolites of delta 9-THC were also androgen antagonists. This data suggests that the anti-androgenic effects associated with marihuana use results, at least in part, from inhibition of androgen action at the receptor level.
D000818:Animals; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002188:Cannabis; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism*; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D002186:Cannabinoids; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013759:Dronabinol