Acquisition of tolerance to Δ-9-THC as measured by the response of a cellular function

The development of tolerance to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC) was investigated by measuring respiration in brain tissue after acute or chronic administration. Mice were given either single or seven daily repeated intraperitoneal injections of 50 mg/Kg of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC) or control vehicle. The final injection for all drug treated animals included radiolabeled ³H-Δ-9-THC. The mice were sacrificed at 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 24 hours, and 7 days after the final injection. Δ-9-THC depressed respiration, but after repeated injections was significantly less effective in this regard, indicating acquisition of tolerance to Δ-9-THC. Because the concentration of radiolabeled cannabinoids in brain tissue from each group is not appreciably different, a cellular as opposed to distributional mode of tolerance is suggested.     

The effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol Δ9-THC) on the regional concentrations of spermidine in the rat brain

The effects of intravenous administration of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC, 2 mg/kg, i.v.) on the regional brain spermidine concentrations of the rat were examined. Thirty minutes after vehicle treatment, the spermidine concentrations were: for the medulla oblongata/pons, 68.2 ± 7.7 μg/g; the hypothalamus, 67.7 ± 2.6 μg/g; the midbrain, 59.1 ± 4.4 μg/g; the cerebellum, 47.3 ± 5.9 μg/g and for the cortex, 13.8 ± 0.8 μg/g. Thirty minutes after Δ⁹-THC, these concentrations were reduced in the midbrain (47.0 ± 8.0% of control, P < 0.0001) and cortex (69.4 ± 7.4% of control, P < 0.009). The spermidine concentrations were not significantly altered in the medulla oblongata/pons (86.5 ± 13.3%, P > 0.36), hypothalamus (107.2 ± 11.8, P > 0.36) or cerebellum (89.0 ± 14.4%, P < 0.48). These results suggest that spermidine within the midbrain and cortex may be involved in the expression of some of the actions of Δ⁹-THC.     

Distribution of indoleamines and [3H]paroxetine binding in rat brain regions following acute or perinatal Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol treatments

The effects of ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol-THC) administration on the central serotoninergic system were evaluated by biochemical assays of tissue levels of indoleamines; a measure of the serotonin (5-HT) innervation was obtained by using [³H]paroxetine as a maker of 5-HT uptake sites. Two different ⁹-THC treatments were chosen, i.e: acute and chronic perinatal maternal exposure. Following acute treatment (5mg/kg), the 5-HT content increased in dorsal hippocampus (+35%), Substantia nigra (+61%) and neostriatum (+62%) but remained unchanged in cingulate cortex, Raphe nuclei, Locus coeruleus and anterior hypothalamus. Endogenous 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) decreased in anterior hypothalamus (–23%) and Raphe nuclei (–21%). Following maternal exposure to ⁹-THC (5 mg/kg per day; from gestational day 13 to postnatal day 7), levels of 5-HT were increased in the neostriatum (+22%) but decreased in anterior hypothalamus (–25%), Raphe nuclei (–29%) and Locus coeruleus (–20%) of the litters. Tissue 5-HIAA was increased in anterior hypothalamus (+23%) and Substantia nigra (+48%). There were no changes in 5-HT uptake site density, determined by [³H]paroxetine binding, except for an increase (+50%) in the cingulate cortex of perinatal-treated rats when compared to acutely-treated animals. The present results show that acute and maternal exposure to ⁹-THC produced different effects on the central 5-HT system of the offspring, with a clear regional especifity, but with no changes in the densities of 5-HT uptake sites.Abbreviations Hypo anterior hypothalamus - Cin cingulate cortex - dHipp dorsal hippocampus - 5-HIAA 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid - HPLC high-performance liquid chromatography - 5-HT serotonin - 5-HTP 5 hydroxy-1-tryptophan - LC Locus coeruleus - rNS rostral neostriatum - MRN midbrain Raphe nuclei region - SN Substantia nigra - ⁹-THC ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol     

Chemical stabilization of a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol prodrug in polymeric matrix systems produced by a hot-melt method: Role of microenvironment pH

This research was conducted in order to fabricate stable polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based transmucosal systems of a Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) prodrug, a hemisuccinate ester, using a hot-melt method. Since Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-HS) was heat labile, a series of processing aids were evaluated in order to facilitate hot-melt production at lower temperatures, thereby reducing THC-HS degradation. The stability of THC-HS was influenced both by the processing conditions such as heating time and temperature, and the postprocessing storage conditions. The type of formulation additive also affected the extent of degradation. In the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-400, the percentage of relative degradation of THC-HS to THC was 13.5% and 49.4% at 80°C and 120°C, respectively. In contrast, incorporation of vitamin E succinate (VES) reduced processing degradation to 2.1% and 9.2%, respectively, under the same conditions. Severe degradation of THC-HS was observed during storage, even under freezing conditions (−18°C). A VES-Noveon AA-1 combination was observed to best stabilize the prodrug systems both during processing and postprocessing. Stabilization of THC-HS was achieved in these polyethylene oxide matrices at 4°C, with almost 90% of theoretical drug remaining for up to 8 months. Investigation of the pH effect revealed that the pH of the microenvironment in these polymeric systems could be modulated to significantly improve the stability of THC-HS, degradation being the least in a relatively acidic medium. Published: September 1, 2006     

Quantification of in vivo binding of [3H]RX 821002 in rat brain: Evaluation as a radioligand for central α2-adrenoceptors

On the basis of its established in vitro characteristics, [³H]RX 821002 was evaluated in rats as an in vivo radioligand for central α₂-adrenoceptors. Estimates for in vivo binding potential, obtained by compartmental analyses of time-radioactivity data, ranged between 1.9 for hypothalamus and 0.2 for cerebellum, with a regional distribution in brain which was similar to that observed in vitro. Selectivity and specificity of the signal were checked by predosing with either the α₂-antagonists, idazoxan or yohimbine, the α₂-agonist, clonidine, or the α₁-antagonist, prazosin. Pretreatment of the rats with the selective neurotoxin, DSP-4, had no significant effect on [³H]RX 821002 binding, suggesting that the majority of labelled sites were situated post-junctionally. The studies indicate that [³H]RX 821002 can be used experimentally as an in vivo marker for central α₂-adrenoceptors. The size and rate of expression of the specific signal encourage the development and assessment of [¹¹C]RX 821002 for clinical PET studies.     

Hyperbaric oxygenation reduces long-term brain injury and ameliorates behavioral function by suppression of apoptosis in a rat model of neonatal hypoxia–ischemia

Neonatal hypoxia–ischemia (HI) produces neurodegeneration and brain injury, and leads to behavioral and cognitive dysfunction. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment may potentially be neuroprotective in HI injury. The aim of this study was to examine any neuroprotection by HBO treatment on long-term neurological function in the rat model of neontatal HI. Seven-day-old rats were subjected to HI or sham surgery. HBO treatment was administered (2.5 ATA for 90 min) 1 h after hypoxia exposure. Sensorimotor (grip test and rota-rod) and cognitive tests (inhibitory avoidance and Morris water maze) were performed at postnatal day 28 to day 60. The extent of brain damage was determined by histological evaluation. Apoptosis, caspase-3 and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry 12, 24, and 48 h after HI. HI-treated animals had significantly worse sensorimotor and cognitive performances than those in the Sham group. HBO treatment led to significant improvements in neurobehavioral functions compared to the HI group, especially for cognitive performances. Morphological evaluation revealed a remarkable recovery of brain injury in the HBO group. Furthermore, the improvements in neurobehavioral impairments were correlated with the reduction in lesion size of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The proportion of apoptotic cells significantly increased with time after HI, and HBO significantly inhibited apoptotic cell death. The proportion of caspase-3 positive cells and nuclear AIF translocation increased and peaked at 24 h after HI injury. HBO-treated rats showed decreased expression of these proteins compared to HI-treated animals. In conclusion, our results suggested that HBO treatment was effective in promoting long-term functional and histological recovery against neonatal HI brain injury. HBO-induced neuroprotection was associated with suppression of apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-3 and AIF-mediated pathways. Further studies evaluating its associated molecular and cellular mechanism are needed.     

Mitochondrial bioenergetics deregulation caused by long-chain 3-hydroxy fatty acids accumulating in LCHAD and MTP deficiencies in rat brain: A possible role of mPTP opening as a pathomechanism in these disorders?

Long-chain 3-hydroxylated fatty acids (LCHFA) accumulate in long-chain 3-hydroxy-acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD) and mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP) deficiencies. Affected patients usually present severe neonatal symptoms involving cardiac and hepatic functions, although long-term neurological abnormalities are also commonly observed. Since the underlying mechanisms of brain damage are practically unknown and have not been properly investigated, we studied the effects of LCHFA on important parameters of mitochondrial homeostasis in isolated mitochondria from cerebral cortex of developing rats. 3-Hydroxytetradecanoic acid (3 HTA) reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, NAD(P)H levels, Ca^2 + retention capacity and ATP content, besides inducing swelling, cytochrome c release and H₂O₂ production in Ca^2 +-loaded mitochondrial preparations_. We also found that cyclosporine A plus ADP, as well as ruthenium red, a Ca^2 + uptake blocker, prevented these effects, suggesting the involvement of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and an important role for Ca^2 +, respectively. 3-Hydroxydodecanoic and 3-hydroxypalmitic acids, that also accumulate in LCHAD and MTP deficiencies, similarly induced mitochondrial swelling and decreased ATP content, but to a variable degree pending on the size of their carbon chain. It is proposed that mPTP opening induced by LCHFA disrupts brain bioenergetics and may contribute at least partly to explain the neurologic dysfunction observed in patients affected by LCHAD and MTP deficiencies.     

Fish oil improves motor function,limits blood–brain barrier disruption,and reduces Mmp9 gene expression in a rat model of juvenile traumatic brain injury

The effects of an oral fish oil treatment regimen on sensorimotor, blood–brain barrier, and biochemical outcomes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) were investigated in a juvenile rat model. Seventeen-day old Long-Evans rats were given a 15 mL/kg fish oil (2.01 g/kg EPA, 1.34 g/kg DHA) or soybean oil dose via oral gavage 30 min prior to being subjected to a controlled cortical impact injury or sham surgery, followed by daily doses for seven days. Fish oil treatment resulted in less severe hindlimb deficits after TBI as assessed with the beam walk test, decreased cerebral IgG infiltration, and decreased TBI-induced expression of the Mmp9 gene one day after injury. These results indicate that fish oil improved functional outcome after TBI resulting, at least in part from decreased disruption of the blood–brain barrier through a mechanism that includes attenuation of TBI-induced expression of Mmp9.     

Chuanxiongzine-astragaloside IV decreases IL-1β and Caspase-3 gene expressions in rat brain damaged by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion: a study of real-time quantitative PCR assay

The purpose of this study was to establish an absolute quantitative method to detect IL-1β and Caspase-3 gene expressions in rat brain after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) using real-time PCR. Rats were randomized into the following groups: sham operation group, model group (cerebral I/R group), astragaloside IV (AST IV) group, chuanxiongzine-AST IV group and nimodipine group (n = 10 in each group). The rats in all the groups except sham operation group were subjected to cerebral I/R treatment. Sham operation and model groups were treated by normal saline (5 mL/kg). AST IV, chuanxiongzine-AST IV and nimodipine groups received 20 mg/kg AST IV, 10 mg/kg chuanxiongzine plus 20 mg/kg AST IV, and 10 mg/kg nimodipine treatments, respectively. The administrations of drugs were performed with intraperitoneal injections at 0 and 12 h, 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, till to 7 d after I/R. A real-time quantitative PCR assay was developed for absolute quantification of the expressions of IL-1β and Caspase-3 genes. The absolute quantification approach relies on the construction of an accurate standard curve. Thus, two plasmids which contained rat IL-1β and Caspase-3 genes respectively were constructed. The cloned circular plasmids were then quantified using a spectrophotometer and used as standards. Standard curves were generated, and the copy numbers of IL-1β and Caspase-3 mRNA isolated from I/R-damaged brain tissue were also calculated by SYBR Green I dye method using specific primers. The results showed that melting curves exhibited sharp peaks, and PCR product also generated prominent band with expected size in agarose gel electrophoresis, which validated the optimization of the selected primer sets of IL-1β and Caspase-3 genes. The optimal annealing temperatures of IL-1β and Caspase-3 genes were 59 °C and 61.2 °C, respectively. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression of IL-1β and Caspase-3 genes in the model group was significantly elevated compared to that in the sham operation group. However, compared to those in the model group, IL-1β and Caspase-3 gene expressions were obviously decreased in AST IV, chuanxiongzine-AST IV and nimodipine groups. Especially in chuanxiongzine-AST IV group, those two genes showed the most significant expression down-regulation. These results suggest the absolute quantitative method established in the present study is capable of detecting the changes of IL-1β and Caspase-3 gene expressions in rat brain damaged by I/R.