Caffeine and Cannabis Effects on Vital Neurotransmitters and Enzymes in the Brain Tissue of Juvenile Experimental Rats

Abstract

Background: Caffeine and cannabis are globally consumed and abused psychoactive substances. While caffeine is legally used in various forms, including in tea and coffee as beverages, it is also consumed in soda and energy drinks as additives. Cannabis, on the other hand, is considered illegal in most countries; albeit, it is being consumed globally particularly by adolescents. Purpose: The adolescent stage marks a critical stage of brain development and maturation. Influences of agents on the brain at this stage may affect neuronal structural and functional attributes. To this end, the current experiment considered the effects of cannabis and caffeine on selected key neurotransmitters and enzymes in the brain tissues after regimented caffeine and cannabis treatment for 21 days. Methods: A total of 72 juvenile Wistar rats that were approximately 40 days old were divided into 6 groups A-F. The group A served as the control. Other groups were administered various dosages of caffeine or cannabis in distilled water, using oral gavages as follows: group B animals received 100 mg/kg body weight of caffeine, group C animals received 50 mg/kg body weight of caffeine, group D animals received 500 mg/kg body weight of cannabis, group E animals received 200 mg/kg body weight of cannabis, and group F received a low dose of cannabis (200 mg/kg body weight) plus a low dose of caffeine (50 mg/kg body weight). The animals were killed by cervical dislocation 24 h after the last administration. The brain tissues were excised and homogenized. The enzymes cytochrome C oxidase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were assayed to observe tissue energy metabolism while the neurotransmitters gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), glutamate, and dopamine were assayed to observe the effects of the psychoactive substances on their activities relative to mental activities. Results: GABA, glutamate, and dopamine were generally higher in the treated groups of animals. The levels of G-6-PDH were higher in all treated animals' brains. Caffeine produced quite more significant effects relative to cannabis and the combination of both increased the level of G-6-PDH significantly. Conclusion: Results showed that caffeine and cannabis influenced the activities of the enzymes and neurotransmitters in the brain. Both stimulants altered brain chemistry relative to the tested enzymes and neurotransmitters.

Caffeine and Clinical Outcomes in Premature Neonates

“…Excitatory A 2A receptors are mainly in the striatum [46], with an ability to control synaptic plasticity and neurodegeneration [47]. Caffeine affects the release of neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and neuropeptides by blocking the adenosine inhibitory signals through its receptors [48,49], that have significant effects on the perception of alertness and wakefulness besides influencing behavioral and cognitive performance [50,51] (Figure 1). The effects of caffeine are dependent on the dose administered.…”

Role of Exercise and Dietary Supplementation in Attenuation of Traumatic Brain Injury in American Football

“…[43][44][45] Regarding this, recent studies has demonstrated that caffeine administration increases extracellular dopamine in the striatum in the striatum. 46,47 This indicates that caffeine supplementation may be a potential therapeutic strategy; however, given that maintenance of basal activation of adenosine A1 and A2a receptors plays an important role in antiinflammation, vasodilation, pain modulation, anti-arrhythmia, and metabolic regulation, it is important to understand that the chronic blockage via mega dose (>400 mg per day for adults) of caffeine or pharmacological antagonists against thereceptors may cause several adverse effects.…”

Energy drinks: pros and cons

“…39 Following consumption of EDs, Italian young athletes showed a minimal anxiety but no depression. 40 Caffeine, in EDs, is supposed to change the brain chemistry through increasing the activities of the enzymes: cytochrome C oxidase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), and the neurotransmitters: gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and dopamine. 12 The detrimental effects of EDs in Korean youth were assessed to include sleep deprivation, severe stress, depression, and suicide planning and attempts; such effects were more evident in those habitually consuming junk foods.…”