Combined vapor exposure to ThC and alcohol in pregnant rats: Maternal outcomes and pharmacokinetic effects.

This text discusses a study on the effects of combined prenatal exposure to alcohol and ThC via e-cigarettes on offspring development. The study used a clinically relevant e-cigarette model of ThC exposure in combination with alcohol, mimicking a common polydrug use pattern seen among pregnant women. The study monitored multiple maternal factors and early offspring measures following cannabis e-cigarette exposure.

Key Points:

* The study exposed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats to alcohol and/or ThC e-cigarette vapors daily from GD 5-20.
* The study found that co-exposure to ThC elevated blood alcohol levels during pregnancy and ThC metabolism was altered by alcohol.
* Pregnant dams exposed to the combination of alcohol and ThC had higher ThC levels than those exposed to ThC alone on GD 15.
* The study also found that prenatal alcohol exposure delayed eye opening in offspring, while prenatal ThC exposure reduced body weights in offspring at PD 30.
* The study did not observe any significant changes in pregnancy health, gestational length, sex ratio, or birth weights.
* The study used a low-moderate exposure of ThC, similar to studies using human adults.
* The study acknowledges that the outcomes may vary based on cannabinoid constituents and that little is known about whether vaping the vehicle constituents, by themselves, may exert damaging effects on physical and behavioral development of the fetus.

Main Message:
The study found that combined prenatal exposure to alcohol and ThC via e-cigarettes has interactive effects and alters blood alcohol and ThC levels. The study also found that prenatal alcohol exposure delayed eye opening and prenatal ThC exposure reduced body weights in offspring at PD 30. Given the high rate of co-use of these drugs during pregnancy, understanding the effects of prenatal exposure to both of these drugs (individually and in combination) has important implications for public health and establishing public policy.

Breit KR, Rodriguez CG, Lei a, Thomas JD. Combined vapor exposure to ThC and alcohol in pregnant rats: Maternal outcomes and pharmacokinetic effects. Neurotoxicology and teratology. 2020;82:106930. doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2020.106930