Oxidative stress responses and cholinesterase activity in blood and brain of Wistar rats exposed to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol

Background: Today, we are faced with the increasing use of illegal highly concentrated Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) preparations as supportive therapies for various malignancies and neurological disorders. Due to the fact that some, such as cannabis oils and butane hash oil, may contain over 80% of THC, their consumers can become intoxicated or experience various detrimental effects. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the toxic effects of THC in male Wistar rats orally exposed to 7 mg/kg b.w. THC, which is comparable to the dose find in illicit preparations. Methods: The rats were sacrificed 24 h after treatment and plasma and brain samples were collected and stored for biochemical analyses. We determined the extent of oxidative stress as well as changes in activities of plasma and brain cholinesterases (ChE) in THC-treated and control rats. Results: Acute oral administration of 7 mg/kg b.w. THC did not cause changes in oxidative stress biomarkers in rat plasma, but did cause a significant elevation of TBARS and GSH concentration and a drop in SOD activity was observed in brain tissue. Cholinesterase activities were not affected either in the plasma or in brain tissue. Conclusion: The present study contributes to existing knowledge with evidence that acute exposure to a high THC dose induced oxidative stress in the brain, but did not affect changes in ChE activity.