Effect of hashish on brain gamma aminobutyric acid system, blood fibrinolytic activity and glucose and some serum enzymes in the rat.

Adult male rats were exposed to Hashish smoke for 15 min. Certain biochemical parameters were determined. This treatment did not change the brain glutamic acid level, whereas it significantly decreased brain gamma aminobutyric acid level. There was a significant increase in the activity of the brain enzyme forming gamma aminobutyric acid, namely glutamate decarboxylase, as well as in that enzyme metabolizing gamma aminobutyric acid, namely aminobutyrate aminotransferase. However, the increase was much more marked in the case of aminobutyrate aminotransferase, a finding that might explain the decrease observed in brain gamma aminobutyric acid upon exposure to Hashish. Blood glucose and fibrinolytic activity were significantly increased. It was concluded that these changes might be due to an adrenaline releasing effect of Hashish smoke inhalation. Serum lactate dehydrogenase and serum glutamate oxalacetate transaminase activities were significantly increased, whereas serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity was unaffected. From these data it was suggested that the source of leakage of these enzyme activities into the blood is probably the skeletal muscles rather than the liver.