RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 <strong>Persistent exposure to Δ<sup>9</sup>-<sup> </sup>tetrahydrocannabinol during adolescence </strong><strong>does not affect nociceptive responding in adult mice</strong>
JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther
FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
SP JPET-AR-2021-000740
DO 10.1124/jpet.121.000740
A1 Alex Mabou Tagne
A1 Yannick Fotio
A1 Tarif Ibne Rashid
A1 Daniele Piomelli
YR 2021
UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/early/2021/06/28/jpet.121.000740.abstract
AB Evidence suggests that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the intoxicating component of cannabis, may cause enduring changes in the structure and function of adolescent brain circuits implicated in nociceptive responding. Yet, whether such changes might persistently disrupt nociceptive behaviors remains unknown. In the present study, we subjected C57BL6/J mice of both sexes to once-daily injections of Δ9-THC (5 mg-kg-1, intraperitoneal) or vehicle throughout adolescence (PND 30-43) and, when the animals had reached adulthood (PND 70), assessed nociceptive behavior using the formalin and chronic constriction injury (CCI) tests. We also investigated, using the tail immersion test, the antinociceptive effects of morphine and the development of tolerance to such effects. The results show that adolescent Δ9-THC exposure does not significantly impair nociceptive responding or morphine-related antinociception and tolerance. The findings suggest that frequent exposure to a moderate dose of Δ9-THC during adolescence does not permanently alter nociceptive circuits in male or female mice. Significance Statement The endocannabinoid system serves critical functions in the central and peripheral nervous systems, including regulation of pain, and can be modified by prolonged exposure to the intoxicating constituent of cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). This raises the possibility that regular use of Δ9-THC-containing cannabis during adolescence might cause changes in nociception that persist into adulthood. We found that frequent early-life exposure to a moderate dose of Δ9-THC does not permanently alter nociceptive function in male or female mice.