We studied the effect of acute (1 h) or chronic exposure (7 and 14 days) to delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) on immune parameters in male Swiss mice. One hour after a dose of 10 mg/kg s.c., the splenocyte proliferative response to ConA and NK activity were not inhibited, but there was a significant decrease in the production of IL-2. After 7 days of treatment, when mice were tolerant to delta9-THC-induced analgesia, these functional parameters were strongly inhibited and there was a persistent reduction in IL-2 and IFNgamma. With 14 days exposure to the drug, splenocyte proliferation was significantly reduced only with 5 microg/ml ConA, and NK activity was still significantly depressed (about 37%). IL-2 had returned to the control value, whereas IFNgamma was still 40% down. Flow cytometry analysis of spleen cell composition indicated no changes after the acute and 7 day treatments, but at 14 days there was a 20% decrease in the number of T lymphocytes, mirrored by a 26% increase of B lymphocytes. In conclusion, in vivo exposure to psychoactive doses of delta9-THC has profound effects on immune function. This implies some important questions in relation to the liberalization of marijuana and its therapeutic uses

Immune function alterations in mice tolerant to delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol: functional and biochemical parameters / P. Massi, P. Sacerdote, W. Ponti, D. Fuzio, B. Manfredi, D. Viganó, T. Rubino, M. Bardotti, D. Parolaro. - In: JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY. - ISSN 0165-5728. - 92:1-2(1998 Dec 01), pp. 60-66.

Immune function alterations in mice tolerant to delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol: functional and biochemical parameters

P. Sacerdote
Secondo
;
B. Manfredi;
1998

Abstract

We studied the effect of acute (1 h) or chronic exposure (7 and 14 days) to delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC) on immune parameters in male Swiss mice. One hour after a dose of 10 mg/kg s.c., the splenocyte proliferative response to ConA and NK activity were not inhibited, but there was a significant decrease in the production of IL-2. After 7 days of treatment, when mice were tolerant to delta9-THC-induced analgesia, these functional parameters were strongly inhibited and there was a persistent reduction in IL-2 and IFNgamma. With 14 days exposure to the drug, splenocyte proliferation was significantly reduced only with 5 microg/ml ConA, and NK activity was still significantly depressed (about 37%). IL-2 had returned to the control value, whereas IFNgamma was still 40% down. Flow cytometry analysis of spleen cell composition indicated no changes after the acute and 7 day treatments, but at 14 days there was a 20% decrease in the number of T lymphocytes, mirrored by a 26% increase of B lymphocytes. In conclusion, in vivo exposure to psychoactive doses of delta9-THC has profound effects on immune function. This implies some important questions in relation to the liberalization of marijuana and its therapeutic uses
Chronic Δ9-THC treatment ; Splenocyte proliferation ; Natural killer ; Cytotoxicity ; Cytokine levels ; Splenocyte composition
Settore BIO/14 - Farmacologia
1-dic-1998
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/198246
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