Stimulation of anandamide biosynthesis in N-18TG2 neuroblastoma cells by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
S H Burstein, S A Hunter
Biochemical Pharmacology March 15, 1995 DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(94)00538-w (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | In vitro cell study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | N-18TG2 neuroblastoma cells (subconfluent monolayers) |
| Interventions | delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wortmannin |
| Dose | 1 microM wortmannin |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key points | THC stimulated anandamide synthesis in N-18TG2 neuroblastoma cells in a concentration-related manner, with the product confirmed as arachidonylethanolamide by co-migration with authentic anandamide on two-dimensional TLC. Approximately two-thirds of the synthesis was inhibited by 1 microM wortmannin, which the authors note was previously reported to inhibit THC-stimulated arachidonic acid release. |
Abstract
A concentration-related stimulation of anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide) synthesis by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was observed in N-18TG2 neuroblastoma cells. Anandamide was detected and measured using an approach in which [3H]arachidonic acid and [14C]ethanolamine were incorporated into the phospholipids of subconfluent monolayers of cells, and the radiolabeled products were analyzed by TLC following agonist exposure. Both precursors showed similar concentration-response relationships and time dependencies consistent with the production of a product containing both the ethanolamine and arachidonyl moieties. The radiolabeled product also migrated together with authentic anandamide on two-dimensional TLC, confirming its identity as arachidonylethanolamide. Approximately two-thirds of the observed synthesis could be inhibited by 1 microM wortmannin, an agent previously reported to inhibit THC-stimulated arachidonic acid release. These findings are in agreement with reports showing that THC can mobilize phospholipid bound arachidonic acid, leading to the production of other eicosanoids.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on cannabis, most cited first.