A pharmacogenetic analysis of the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9THC) on brain gamma glutamyl transpeptidase.

The effects of oral administration of (-)delta 9 Trans-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on the membrane bound enzyme, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) was studied. Adult male mice were given an oral dose of THC on each of 5 consecutive days in a vehicle of sesame oil, coconut oil and tween. The dosage ranged from 2.5 to 10 mg/kg. The animals were decapitated and the brains dissected into eight regions. Each brain region was homogenized in Tris buffered saline and assayed for protein and gamma-GTP activity. The higher doses of THC produced higher levels of gamma-GTP activity in the brain regions studied.