Cannabidiol improves thyroid function via modulating vitamin D3 receptor in vitamin D3 deficiency diet-induced rat model

The study was evaluated the impact of cannabidiol (CBD) on thyroid hormones by modulation cannabinoid receptor-2 (CB2) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in rats fed with vitamin D₃ deficiency diet (VDD). CB2-receptors were analyzed by RT-PCR method and others biomarkers by ELISA. The relative expression of CB2 (thyroid ~ 4 folds), VDR protein (liver, 151.72%), and (kidney, 66%) was significantly increased in CBD-60 compared to VDD. Vitamin D₃ metabolites were significantly increased serum (189.42%), kidney (73.84%), and liver (58.11%) in CBD-60 than VDD. Increased thyroxine (59.9%) and calcitonin (213.59%); while decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone (36.15%) and parathyroid hormone (38.64%) was observed CBD treatment in VDD rats. In conclusion, CBD treatment improves CB2 and VDR expression and the level of vitamin D₃ metabolites, along with improved thyroid hormones, including calcitonin. This is the first report with an improved CB2 and VDR expression after CBD treatment in VDD induced animals. Thus, CBD can be considered to use in hypothyroidism conditions and to maintain bone health.