Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Metabolism of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol by Lung and Liver Homogenates of Rats treated with Methylcholanthrene

Nature volume 234, pages 48–49 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

Δ9-TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL (Δ9-THC) is metabolized in vitro by the postmitochondrial supernatant of rabbit liver to yield 11-hydro-Δ9-THC1, said to be as pharmacologically active as Δ9-THC itself2,3, while at least two other metabolites have been detected2. Because psychoactive cannabinoids are effective in cannabis smoking, we have studied the transformation of Δ9-THC by the postmitochondrial supernatant of the rat lung and we have compared the chromatographic properties of the Δ9-THC metabolites which were produced in vitro by the postmitochondrial supernatant of liver and lung from untreated rats and from rats pretreated with 3-methylcholanthrene4.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Nilsson, I. M., Agurell, S., Nielsson, J. L. G., Ohlsson, A., Sandberg, F., and Wahlqvist, M., Science, 168, 1228 (1970).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wall, M. E., Brine, D. R., Brine, G. A., Pitt, C. G., Freudenthal, R. I., and Christensen, H. D., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 92, 3466 (1970).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Mechoulam, R., Science, 168, 1159 (1970).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Gilman, A. G., and Conney, A. H., Biochem. Pharmacol., 12, 591 (1963).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Agurell, S., Nilsson, I. M., Ohlsson, A., and Sandberg, F., Biochem., Pharmacol., 18, 1195 (1969).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Lowry, O. H., Rosebrough, N. J., Farr, A. L., and Randall, R. J., J. Biol. Chem., 193, 265 (1951).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Dorfman, A., and Goldbaum, L. R., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 90, 330 (1947).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Cooper, J. R., and Brodie, B. B., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 120, 75 (1957).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Conney, A. H., Pharmacol. Rev., 19, 317 (1967).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Wattenberg, L. W., and Leong, J. L., J. Histochem. Cytochem., 10, 412 (1962).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ho, B. T., Fritchie, G. E., Kralik, P. M., Englert, L. F., McIssac, Wm. M., and Idänpään-Heikkilä, J., J. Pharm. Pharmacol., 22, 538 (1970).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Mannering, G. J., Sladek, N. E., Parli, C. J., and Shoeman, D. W., in Microsomes and Drug Oxidations (edit. by Gillette, J. R., Conney, A. H., Cosmides, G. J., Estabrook, R. W., Fouts, J. R., and Mannering, G. J.), 303 (Academic Press, New York, 1969).

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Preclinical Pharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, Saint Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington, DC, 20032

    K. NAKAZAWA & E. COSTA

Authors
  1. K. NAKAZAWA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. COSTA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

NAKAZAWA, K., COSTA, E. Metabolism of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol by Lung and Liver Homogenates of Rats treated with Methylcholanthrene. Nature 234, 48–49 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/234048a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/234048a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing