Activation of the cannabinoid receptor by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol reduces gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake in the globus pallidus

Eur J Pharmacol. 1996 Jul 18;308(2):161-4. doi: 10.1016/0014-2999(96)00326-3.

Abstract

The interaction between GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and cannabinoids in the globus pallidus was investigated by evaluating the effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on [3H]GABA uptake into slices of rat globus pallidus. delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol caused a concentration-dependent decrease in GABA uptake (51% decrease at 100 microM delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, IC50 = 18.95 microM). This effect was reversed in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 11.9 microM) by the cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716A (N-(piperidin-1-yl-)5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-me thyl-1 H-pyrazole-3-arboxiamidehydrochloride. SR 141716A alone did not affect GABA uptake. These results show that cannabinoid receptor activation reduces GABA uptake in the globus pallidus.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Dronabinol / pharmacology*
  • Globus Pallidus / drug effects*
  • Globus Pallidus / metabolism
  • Male
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Drug / physiology
  • Rimonabant
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism*

Substances

  • Piperidines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, Drug
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Dronabinol
  • Rimonabant