Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Metabolism of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol by Lung and Liver Homogenates of Rats treated with Methylcholanthrene

  • Letter
  • Published:

From Nature

View current issue Submit your manuscript

Abstract

Δ9-TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (Δ9-THC) is metabolized in vitro by the postmitochondrial supernatant of rabbit liver to yield 11-hydro-Δ9-THC1, said to be as pharmacologically active as Δ9-THC itself2,3, while at least two other metabolites have been detected2. Because psychoactive cannabinoids are effective in cannabis smoking, we have studied the transformation of Δ9-THC by the postmitochondrial supernatant of the rat lung and we have compared the chromatographic properties of the Δ9-THC metabolites which were produced in vitro by the postmitochondrial supernatant of liver and lung from untreated rats and from rats pretreated with 3-methylcholanthrene4.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Nilsson, I. M., Agurell, S., Nielsson, J. L. G., Ohlsson, A., Sandberg, F., and Wahlqvist, M., Science, 168, 1228 (1970).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wall, M. E., Brine, D. R., Brine, G. A., Pitt, C. G., Freudenthal, R. I., and Christensen, H. D., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 92, 3466 (1970).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Mechoulam, R., Science, 168, 1159 (1970).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Gilman, A. G., and Conney, A. H., Biochem. Pharmacol., 12, 591 (1963).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Agurell, S., Nilsson, I. M., Ohlsson, A., and Sandberg, F., Biochem., Pharmacol., 18, 1195 (1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Lowry, O. H., Rosebrough, N. J., Farr, A. L., and Randall, R. J., J. Biol. Chem., 193, 265 (1951).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Dorfman, A., and Goldbaum, L. R., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 90, 330 (1947).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Cooper, J. R., and Brodie, B. B., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 120, 75 (1957).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Conney, A. H., Pharmacol. Rev., 19, 317 (1967).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Wattenberg, L. W., and Leong, J. L., J. Histochem. Cytochem., 10, 412 (1962).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ho, B. T., Fritchie, G. E., Kralik, P. M., Englert, L. F., McIssac, Wm. M., and Idänpään-Heikkilä, J., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 22, 538 (1970).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Mannering, G. J., Sladek, N. E., Parli, C. J., and Shoeman, D. W., in Microsomes and Drug Oxidations (edit. by Gillette, J. R., Conney, A. H., Cosmides, G. J., Estabrook, R. W., Fouts, J. R., and Mannering, G. J.), 303 (Academic Press, New York, 1969).

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Preclinical Pharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, Saint Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC, 20032

    K. NAKAZAWA & E. COSTA

Authors
  1. K. NAKAZAWA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. COSTA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

NAKAZAWA, K., COSTA, E. Metabolism of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol by Lung and Liver Homogenates of Rats treated with Methylcholanthrene. Nature 234, 48–49 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/234048a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/234048a0

  • Springer Nature Limited

This article is cited by

Search

Navigation