delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol regulates gene expression of the growth factor pleiotrophin in the forebrain.
delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a major psychoactive component of cannabis. We here studied, by quantitative in situ hybridization at the macroscopic level, the possible modulatory effects of acute THC (5 mg/kg/i.p.) on gene expression of the growth factor pleiotrophin (PTN) in the adult rat forebrain. We found, 30 min after a single injection of THC, a significant increase of PTN mRNA concentrations in the cingulate cortex (38%), fronto-parietal cortex (31%) and caudate-putamen (27%). In conclusion, this is the first report on THC regulation of growth factor gene expression in the brain.
Mailleux
P
P
Unité de Recherche sur le Cerveau, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Preud'homme
X
X
Albala
N
N
Vanderwinden
J M
JM
Vanderhaeghen
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D016207:Cytokines; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C066845:pleiotrophin; D013759:Dronabinol