Role of catecholamines in the hypothermic activity of cannabis in albino rats

Role of brain monoamines in the hypothermic activity of cannabis resin (CI) in albino rats was studied using agents which influence monoamine synthesis, storage, release, reuptake, metabolism and receptor activity and monoaminergic neuronal activity. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol content of resin was estimated to be 17%. Reserpine was used for comparison. CI was given orally in the dose of 50 mg/kg. Nialamide (NM) and -methyl-metatyrosine (MMT) caused slight hyperthermia. p-Chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), -methyl-p-tyrosine (MPT), 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine (DHT, icv) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HD, icv) had no effect on body temperature. -Methyldopa (m-Dopa), diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), DDC with l-Dopa, gammabutyrolactone (GBL), phentolamine (PHENT), phenoxybenzamine (PBZ), propranolol (PROP) and imipramine (IMP) produced hypothermia. Hypothermic activity of CI was potentiated by NM and PCPA, unaffected by DHT and m-Dopa, blocked by MMT, MPT, 6-HD, GBL, PHENT, PROP and chlorpromazine (CPZ), inhibited by DDC, DDC and l-Dopa and PBZ. CI induced hyperthermia in tolerant rats could be reversed to hypothermia by IMP. Reserpine hypothermia was blocked by NM, MPT, 6-HD and CPZ. There was a partial cross tolerance between cannabis and reserpine. Studies indicate that the hypothermic activity of CI similar to that of reserpine is mediated through central catecholamines and not 5-HT, and that noradrenaline is involved and not dopamine. However, the mechanism of action of cannabis and reserpine on nor-adrenergic neurone seems to be different.