Long-term hypophagic effect of chronic cannabis (Δ9-THC) administration on body weight progress investigated in a rat model

Background:The use of cannabis to prevent weight gain or weight loss as unwanted side effects complementary to certain primary therapies inducing such side effects is still under study. Previous studies of different dose- and time-dependent ?9-Tetrahydrocannabinol treatment approaches have shown contradictory effects on food intake behavior and body weight changes. Here we examined the effect of a daily dose of3 mg/kg over a period of up to 8.5 month in a rat model which is equivalent to about 0.25 grams over a period of 21.5 years in terms of human life spans. Moreover, this effect was investigated in both, a native start generation and a ?9-THC-biased offspring filial generation. Methods:In this open, controlled study 48 nude rats (f+m) originating from two different generations were separated in ?9-THC-treatment- and control groups. The daily administration of THC and control vehicle was done intraperitoneally. Body weight change was recorded at 14 (SG) and 9 (F1) time points throughout the study. Results:In addition to a clear hypophagic effect found with long-term THC treatment, we observed an immediate cessation of this effect after settlement of the drug during recurrent lactation periods in both, SG and F1 generations. Thus the mechanisms involved in weight loss after chronic THC treatment at this dose-rate seem to remain reversible over a long period of time. Conclusion:We conclude that long-term THC administration at a dose level of 3 mg/kg might be suitable for complementary therapies effecting controlled weight loss when intended (e.g. treatment of type-2 diabetes, obesity, lack of sufficient sleep (insomnia), some types of cancer, etc.).

• Publication year

  2017

• Venue

  MOJ Anatomy & Physiology

• Publication date

  2017-03-06

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.15406/MOJAP.2017.03.00088
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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