Abstract
White blood cells from 5 chronic marihuana users (more than one exposure per wk for more than 1 yr) and 5 nonsmokers (no contact with marihuana) were examined after exposure to THC and marihuana extracts and THC and marihuana extracts preincubated with nonsmokers' serum. The leukocyte migration inhibition test (LMI) revealed that all extracts inhibited migration, but did not kill the cells (trypan blue exclusion). The extracts affected white blood cells from smokers and nonsmokers alike, without demonstrating delayed hypersensitivity at levels of 0.01 to 2 μg per ml of THC. Marihuana extracts caused effects at a concentration of about 2 μg of THC per ml; these effects were significantly greater than those caused by THC extracts. This was interpreted to mean that substances other than THC which also inhibit leukocyte migration are found in crude marihuana. The inhibitory effect of these substances seems to be modified after incubating crude marihuana extracts with nonsmokers' serum. The effects of marihuana and THC on leukocyte migration were noted at 2 μg per ml, which is about 50 times the plasma levels in man after inhaling 10 mg THC.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 35-41 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Pharmacology |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1974 |
| Externally published | Yes |