title: Determination of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol levels in brain tissue using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.
abstract: delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) is the major psychoactive component of cannabis. To assist in investigating the mechanism(s) of action of delta 9-THC, a convenient method for determining its levels in brain tissue is required. We now describe a method for determining nanogram quantities of delta 9-THC in rat brain tissue. The method employs solvent extraction with methanol-hexane-ethyl acetate, followed by analysis using liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Overall recoveries were greater than 80%. The relationship between the peak-height ratio for processed standards extracted in the presence of tissue (delta 9-THC/internal standard) and the amount of delta 9-THC added was shown to be linear within the range of concentrations examined. Quantitative measurements of delta 9-THC in different brain regions following the intravenous administration of delta 9-THC are presented as examples of the applications of this method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Nyoni
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Sitaram
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D013759:Dronabinol