Effect of cannabis extract on uterine glycogen metabolism in prepubertal rats under normal and estradiol-treated conditions

Abstract

Repeated administration of cannabis extract on two uterine glycogen metabolising enzymes, glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen synthetase in prepubertal rats, treated with or without estradiol benzoate reduces the glycogen content of uterus by increasing phosphorylase activity (both total and form a) and by decreasing glycogen synthetase activity. In estradiol treated rats, however, cannabis extract has been found to inhibit the estradiol-induced rise in type a phosphorylase activity, glycogen synthetase activity being inhibited as in the previous case. Hence reduction of glycogen content in uterus by cannabis extract in estradiol-treated rats appears to be primarily due to decreased synthesis. The results indicate the antiestrogenic effect of this drug at the level of uterine glycogen metabolizing enzymes.