delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol increases proopiomelanocortin gene expression in the arcuate nucleus of the rat hypothalamus.
delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component of cannabis, produces a large spectrum of pharmacological effects, many of which have been linked to interaction with the opioid system. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and anterior lobe of the pituitary. We report, for the first time, that a 5-day treatment with delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (5 mg/kg per day, i.p.) increased (38%) POMC mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus but was without effect in the anterior lobe of the pituitary. These data indicate that delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol stimulates opioid gene expression and regulates distinctively POMC in the hypothalamus and the anterior lobe of the pituitary in the rat.
Corchero
J
J
Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Paseo Juan XXIII, Madrid, Spain.
Fuentes
J A
JA
Manzanares
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D006213:Hallucinogens; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D013759:Dronabinol