Figure 4.

THC increases Bax expression via the CB₁ receptor. Neurons were preincubated with AM 251 (10 μM) for 30 min, treated with THC (5 μM) for 2 h and analysed for the expression levels of Bax using Western immunoblotting. THC significantly increased Bax expression and this was abolished by AM 251. Results are expressed as mean±s.e.m. for five observations, ^**P<0.01. Inset: A sample Western immunoblot showing that THC increases Bax expression (lane 2) compared to vehicle-treated neurons (lane 1). The stimulatory effect of THC on Bax expression was prevented by AM 251 (lane 4). Exposure of cells to AM 251 alone had no effect on Bax expression (lane 3).