Short communication: Tissue distribution of major cannabinoids following intraperitoneal injection in male rats

Currently, peripheral tissue distribution of cannabinoids after treatment is poorly understood. This pilot study sought to examine the early tissue distribution of major cannabinoids 30 minutes following an intraperitoneal injection of vehicle (1:9 Tween 80/SAL), and doses of THC (1 mg/kg) and CBD (5 mg/kg) that are feasible for human consumption in serum, adipose, brain, lung, liver, jejunum, and muscle of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The jejunum and adipose were most enriched in THC. Similarly, CBD was enriched in the jejunum and adipose but also the liver. In contrast, the brain had the lowest concentration of cannabinoids relative to other tissues. The liver had the greatest concentration of the THC metabolites, 11-OH-THC and COOH-THC, compared to all other tissues. Overall, these findings highlight broad tissue distribution and marked differences in tissue concentration not previously appreciated. Thus, as cannabinoid research continues to rapidly grow, consideration of the potential bioactive effects of these molecules in peripheral tissues is warranted in future studies.