Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol attenuates oxycodone self-administration under extended access conditions.
Jacques D. Nguyen, Yanabel Grant, Kevin M Creehan, Candy S Hwang, Sophia A. Vandewater, Kim D Janda, Maury Cole, Michael A. Taffe
Neuropharmacology June 1, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.04.010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Male and female Wistar rats |
| Interventions | Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oxycodone |
| Dose | 0.15 mg/kg/infusion oxycodone; 0-10 mg/kg THC i.p.; 50 mg/mL THC vapor; 100 mg/mL oxycodone vapor; 5.0 mg/kg THC i.p.; 2.0 mg/kg oxycodone s.c. |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Cannabinoid Nociception Self-administration E-cigarette |
| Key findings | THC and oxycodone produced additive antinociceptive effects, and THC reduced oxycodone self-administration in rats. |
Abstract
Growing nonmedical use of prescription opioids is a global problem, motivating research on ways to reduce use and combat addiction. Medical cannabis ("medical marijuana") legalization has been associated epidemiologically with reduced opioid harms and cannabinoids have been shown to modulate effects of opioids in animal models. This study was conducted to determine if Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) enhances the behavioral effects of oxycodone. Male rats were trained to intravenously self-administer (IVSA) oxycodone (0.15 mg/kg/infusion) during 1 h, 4 h or 8 h sessions. Following acquisition rats were exposed to THC by vapor inhalation (1 h and 8 h groups) or injection (0-10 mg/kg, i.p.; all groups) prior to IVSA sessions. Fewer oxycodone infusions were obtained by rats following vaporized or injected THC compared with vehicle treatment prior to the session. Follow-up studies demonstrated parallel dose-dependent effects of THC, i.p., on self-administration of different per-infusion doses of oxycodone and a preserved loading dose early in the session. These patterns are inconsistent with behavioral suppression. Additional groups of male and female Wistar rats were assessed for nociception following inhalation of vaporized THC (50 mg/mL), oxycodone (100 mg/mL) or the combination. Tail withdrawal latency was increased more by the THC/oxycodone combination compared to either drug alone. Similar additive antinociceptive effects were produced by injection of THC (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and oxycodone (2.0 mg/kg, s.c.). Together these data demonstrate additive effects of THC and oxycodone and suggest the potential use of THC to enhance therapeutic efficacy, and to reduce the abuse, of opioids.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on cannabis, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Lasting effects of repeated Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vapor inhalation during adolescence in male and female rats bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) September 25, 2018
- Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of aerosolized ("vaped") THC in adolescent male and female rats. Psychopharmacology December 2021
- Lasting effects of repeated ∆9 -tetrahydrocannabinol vapour inhalation during adolescence in male and female rats. British Journal of Pharmacology 2020
Cites 6
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and 1 more in the library