THC inhibits the expression of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization in mice

Autor(es)

Filev, Renato ^[1] ; Engelke, Douglas S. ^{[1, 2]} ; Da Silveira, Dartiu X. ^[3] ; Mello, Luiz E. ^[1] ; Santos-Junior, Jair G. ^[4]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Physiol, Neurobiol Lab, R Pedro de Toledo, 669 3rd Floor, BR-04039032 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston, McGovern Med Sch, Dept Neurobiol & Anat, 6431 Fannin St, Room 7-512, Houston, TX 77030 - USA

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Psychiat & Med Psychol, R Borges Lagoa, 570 Vila Clementino, BR-04038000 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

^[4] Fac Ciencias Med Santa Casa Sao Paulo, Dept Physiol Sci, Rua Dr Cesario Motta Jr 61, BR-01221020 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ALCOHOL; v. 65, p. 31-35, DEC 2017.
• Citações Web of Science: 7

Resumo

The motivational circuit activated by ethanol leads to behavioral changes that recruit the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Case reports and observational studies suggest that the use of Cannabis sp. mitigates problematic ethanol consumption in humans. Here, we verified the effects of the two main phytocannabinoid compounds of Cannabis sp., cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in the expression of ethanol-induced locomotor sensitization in mice. Male adult DBA/2 mice were exposed to locomotor sensitization by daily intraperitoneal injections of ethanol (2.5 g/kg) for 12 days; control groups received saline. After the acquisition phase, animals were treated with cannabinoids: CBD (2.5 mg/kg); THC (2.5 mg/kg); CBD + THC (1:1 ratio), or vehicle for 4 days with no access to ethanol during this period. One day after the last cannabinoid injection, all animals were challenged with ethanol (2.0 g/kg) to evaluate the expression of the locomotor sensitization. Mice treated with THC alone or THC + CBD showed reduced expression of locomotor sensitization, compared to the vehicle control group. No effects were observed with CBD treatment alone. Our findings showing that phytocannabinoid treatment prevents the expression of behavioral sensitization in mice provide insight into the potential therapeutic use of phytocannabinoids in alcohol-related problems. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/16307-2 - Efeitos comportamental, neuroquímico e molecular do canabidiol em camundongos submetidos a sensibilização locomotora induzida pelo etanol
• Beneficiário: Renato Filev
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado Direto