The Effect of Tetrahydrocannabinol on Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme Activity and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Laboratory Rat

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a psychoactive substance that affects the central nervous system. Acetylcholinesterase enzyme, as one of the enzymes of central and peripheral nervous system, plays a role in the sympathetic and parasympathetic function. This enzyme transmits neural messages through hydrolysis of acetylcholine in the cholinergic synapses and is of great importance in memory and learning. In this study, the effect of THC was investigated on the cholinergic system in rat behaviors.

In this experimental study, 10 adult male rats were used. First, the rats were anesthetized, then, two cannulas were placed in the ventricle using stereotaxic apparatus and THC was injected. The activity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme was measured, and plus maze test was used to assess the anxiety behavior. Data were analyzed using t-student test.

In this study, THC reduced the activity of acetylcholinesterase enzyme, indicating memory impairment. Moreover, the percentage of time spent in the open arm and the percentage of the number of entries into the open arm increased (p<0.05), and corticosterone levels increased, which both indicated an increase in anxiety.

The results of this study showed that THC causes changes in memory and anxiety behaviors by impairing cholinesterase enzyme activity and neurotransmitter secretion