The effects of pH and temperature on the in vitro bindings of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids to bovine serum albumin

Albumin is a major carrier of drugs and fatty acids in biological fluids. These protein—drug complexes serve to solubilize, transport these compounds to sites of action, and have been associated with increased half-life for these compounds. The authors are interested in the pH and temperature effects of the binding of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol to albumin. Ultrafiltration techniques were used in the separation of free to bound compounds. Cannabinoids bind to bovine serum albumin rapidly. The cannabinoid binding sites are more sensitive to temperature changes (37–47°C) than changes in pH with 37°C and pH 7.4 resulting in optimal binding. These conditions would result in the greatest viability in the cells, while allowing for the use of a variety of compounds in in vitro studies for the administration of compounds to isolated cells and cell lines.