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.
Unité de Recherche sur le Cerveau, Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
P
P
Mailleux
X
X
Preud'homme
N
N
Albala
J M
JM
Vanderwinden
J J
JJ
Vanderhaeghen
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