Pertwee RG, Ross TM. Drugs which stimulate or facilitate central cholinergic transmission interact synergistically with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol to produce marked catalepsy in mice.
Neuropharmacology 1991;
30:67-71. [PMID:
1646420 DOI:
10.1016/0028-3908(91)90044-c]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In experiments in which mice were placed with their forepaws over a 4 cm high horizontal bar, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; 10 mg/kg i.p.) delayed descent from the bar. This effect on descent latency was markedly enhanced by physostigmine (0.05 or 0.25 mg/kg s.c.) and oxotremorine (0.04 or 0.08 mg/kg s.c.), administered immediately before THC. These interactions were attenuated by atropine (2.0 mg/kg s.c.) and (-)-scopolamine (1.9 mg/kg s.c.) but not by atropine methyl nitrate (2.11 mg/kg s.c.), which does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier. However, atropine methyl nitrate did prevent salivation induced by oxotremorine in the presence of THC. No synergism was detected between THC and neostigmine (0.047 mg/kg s.c.). Atropine and (-)-scopolamine also decreased the ability of chlordiazepoxide (10 mg/kg s.c.) to enhance the effect of THC on descent latency. The interaction was not antagonized by atropine methyl nitrate or mecamylamine (1.17 or 2.34 mg/kg s.c.). These results point to an involvement of central acetylcholine-releasing pathways in the cataleptic response of mice to THC.
Collapse