Study: THC May Promote Brain Cell Proliferation and Reduce Inflammation
- The study found that THC increased markers related to cell proliferation and decreased inflammatory markers in the hippocampus of female rats.
- THC’s effects on neurogenesis and cannabinoid receptor (CB1) expression were influenced by the presence of estradiol, a form of estrogen.
- Combination treatment with THC and estradiol benzoate significantly raised CB1 receptor levels in specific hippocampal regions involved in memory and emotional regulation.
- The research suggests that interactions between cannabinoids and gonadal hormones like estrogen could underlie sex-specific brain responses and offer potential therapeutic targets for neuropsychiatric disorders.
A new study examining the effects of THC on the brain found that the cannabinoid increased markers associated with cell proliferation while reducing signs of inflammation in female rats, with some effects influenced by estrogen levels.
Published by Neurochemical Research, the study was conducted by researchers from Universidade do Porto. Researchers investigated how delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and estradiol benzoate, a form of estrogen, affected adult hippocampal neurogenesis and inflammation in ovariectomized female Wistar rats.
The study involved 16 rats divided into four groups receiving THC, estradiol benzoate, a combination of the two or a vehicle control.
Researchers examined several markers in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory, learning and emotional regulation. These included Ki-67, which is associated with cell proliferation; doublecortin and PSA-NCAM, markers associated with neurogenesis; CB1 cannabinoid receptors; and the inflammatory markers COX-2 and TNF-α.
THC significantly increased Ki-67 immunoreactivity, indicating greater cell proliferation. Researchers also observed a trend toward increased doublecortin expression, particularly among animals treated with estradiol benzoate, although the findings do not establish that THC increased the production of mature new neurons.
THC also altered CB1 receptor expression. The combination of THC and estradiol produced significant increases in CB1 expression in the dentate gyrus and hilus, two regions within the hippocampal formation.
In addition, THC reduced inflammatory markers, with decreases in COX-2 and TNF-α that varied depending on the region of the hippocampus examined.
“These findings indicate that THC influences markers associated with hippocampal cell proliferation, neurogenesis, cannabinoid signaling and inflammation in female rats, and that some of these effects depend on estradiol status”, concludes the study. “The interaction between cannabinoids and gonadal hormones may represent an important mechanism underlying sex-specific neurobiological responses and suggests potential targets for therapeutic intervention in neuropsychiatric disorders.”