Acute and chronic effects of tetrahydrocannabinols on monoamide oxidase activity: possible vehicle/tetrahydrocannabinol interactions
Clarke, D.E.; Jandhyala, B.
Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology 17(3): 471-480
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-5164 PMID: 897340 Document Number: 111454
The acute and chronic effects of delta9 and delta8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were studied on the monoamine oxidase (MAO) acitvity of various organs of the rat. The experimental design included two vehicles for the cannabinols (1% Tween 80 in saline and ethanol) and a further control group, given saline only. Neither delta9 nor delta8-THC (1 and 14 mg/kg, i.p.) altered MAO activity after one day and no changes from the saline control were found in the vehicle-treated groups. However, drug (delta8 and delta9-THC 1 mg/kg, i.p.) and vehicle-induced changes were observed after 14 days (Tween 80) and 28 days (ethanol) of continuous daily treatment. These data were interpreted upon the basis of a possible time-dependent, vehicle/drug interaction at the level of outer mitochondrial membranes. Contrary to previously published reports, no compelling evidence was obtained for any inherent pharmacological effect of the cannabinols upon MAO activity.