A low-Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis extract induces hyperphagia in rats.
Appetite stimulation via partial agonism of cannabinoid type 1 receptors by Δtetrahydrocannabinol (ΔTHC) is well documented and can be modulated by non-ΔTHC phytocannabinoids. ΔTHC concentrations sufficient to elicit hyperphagia induce changes to both appetitive (reduced latency to feed) and consummatory (increased meal one size and duration) behaviours. Here, we show that a cannabis extract containing too little ΔTHC to stimulate appetite can induce hyperphagia solely by increasing appetitive behaviours. Twelve, male Lister hooded rats were presatiated before treatment with a low-ΔTHC cannabis extract (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg). Hourly intake and meal pattern data were recorded and analyzed using one-way analyses of variance followed by Bonferroni post-hoc tests. The cannabis extract significantly increased food intake during the first hour of testing (at 4.0 mg/kg) and significantly reduced the latency to feed versus vehicle treatments (at doses ≥1.0 mg/kg). Meal size and duration were unaffected. These results show only the increase in appetitive behaviours, which could be attributed to non-ΔTHC phytocannabinoids in the extract rather than ΔTHC. Although further study is required to determine the constituents responsible for these effects, these results support the presence of non-ΔTHC cannabis constituent(s) that exert a stimulatory effect on appetite and likely lack the detrimental psychoactive effects of ΔTHC.
aSchools of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences bPharmacy, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, UK.
Jonathan A
JA
Farrimond
Benjamin J
BJ
Whalley
Claire M
CM
Williams
D000818:Animals; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists / Q000633:toxicity*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000633:toxicity*; D006963:Hyperphagia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats
D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D013759:Dronabinol