JOURNAL ARTICLE

Time- and temperature-dependent postmortem ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentration changes in rabbits following controlled inhaled cannabis administration.

  • Published In: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 2023, n. 9. P. 850 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Cliburn, Kacey D; Kemp, Philip M; Huestis, Marilyn A; Wagner, Jarrad R; Payton, Mark; Liu, Lin; Liang, Yurong; Maxwell, Lara K 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on evaluating postmortem redistribution (PMR) of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa, using a controlled inhalation model in New Zealand white rabbits. THC and its Phase I and glucuronidated Phase II metabolites were quantified in various biological specimens collected at different postmortem intervals (PMI) and storage temperatures (room temperature and refrigerated). Results showed significant increases in heart blood THC concentrations at 2 hours PMI and peripheral blood THC at 16 hours PMI under refrigerated conditions, but overall, THC exhibited limited PMR with mean central:peripheral (C:P) and liver:peripheral (L:P) blood ratios of 1.6 and 2.9, respectively. The study suggests that THC is relatively stable postmortem in rabbits, with lung, brain, and heart tissues showing the most consistent THC concentrations over time, providing valuable data for forensic toxicology interpretations in medicolegal death investigations.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 2023/11, Issue 9, p850
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Anthropology
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0146-4760
  • DOI:10.1093/jat/bkad076
  • Accession Number:174184224
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Analytical Toxicology is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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