Abstract

Previous studies in this laboratory have demonstrated that a cloned neuroblastoma cell line (N18TG2) responds to delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive product of marihuana, with an attenuation of cyclic AMP accumulation that results from an inhibition of adenylate cyclase. The requirement for the Gi regulatory protein, stereoselectivity, pharmacologic specificity and cell selectivity of this response suggest that a receptor for cannabimimetic compounds may be associated with adenylate cyclase in the neuroblastoma cell. Presented here is a comprehensive investigation of cellular effects of chronic exposure to cannabimimetic agents. Short-term exposure to either delta 9-THC or the more potent nantradol analog, desacetyllevonantradol (DALN), at doses up to 100 microM did not compromise the plating efficiency of the cells. Cells that were exposed to 1 microM delta 9-THC (maximally effective for inhibiting cyclic AMP production) for 24 hr in a serum-free medium were shown to accumulate the drug but not to metabolize it. Exposure to 10 microM delta 9-THC or DALN for up to 48 hr failed to significantly affect cell growth rate or protein content per cell. The gross morphology of cannabinoid-treated cells was not altered at the light or the electron microscope level. The cellular organelles and membranes appeared intact, with no remarkable differences from control cells. The inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation in response to cannabimimetic drugs was diminished in cells treated with delta 9-THC or DALN for 24 hr. This desensitization was homologous because both delta 9-THC and DALN responses were attenuated after exposure to either cannabimimetic drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)