Abstract Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main component of cannabis, has adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, but whether concomitant ethanol (EtOH) and aging modulate its toxicity is unknown. We investigated dose responses of THC and its vehicle, EtOH, on mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen production in both young and old rat cardiac mitochondria (12 and 90 weeks). THC dose-dependently impaired mitochondrial respiration in both groups, and such impairment was enhanced in aged rats (−97.5 ± 1.4% vs. −75.6 ± 4.0% at 2 × 10−5 M, and IC50: 0.7 ± 0.05 vs. 1.3 ± 0.1 × 10−5 M, p < 0.01, for old and young rats, respectively). The...

Abstract In our previous study, we demonstrated the impact of overexpression of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and the inhibitory effect of endocannabinoids (2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and Anandamide (AEA)) on canine (Canis lupus familiaris) and human (Homo sapiens) non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) cell lines’ viability compared to cells treated with a vehicle. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the anti-cancer effects of the phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and the synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55-212-22 (WIN) in canine and human lymphoma cell lines and to compare their inhibitory effect to that of endocannabinoids. We used malignant canine B-cell lymphoma (BCL) (1771 and CLB-L1) and T-cell lymphoma (TCL)...

Abstract Cannabidiol (CBD) is widely used and believed to be non-intoxicating, lacking acute performance effects (e.g., non-impairing). However, a synthesis of data has not evaluated this. This meta-analysis synthesized data from controlled human laboratory studies that evaluated if acute CBD use impairs performance. Performance on objective and subjective measures of cognitive and psychomotor function were used as markers for potential performance changes and impairment. Studies were identified through systematic database searches. Adult clinical trials measuring acute CBD effects (within 0–8 h of administration) were included. The primary outcome was the peak mean difference in performance measures between CBD and placebo. A secondary analysis utilizing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Background Previous research has suggested that the use of cannabis-based medicinal products is increasing most rapidly among older aged individuals (65+ years). Despite this, little is known about the characteristics of older people using cannabis-based medicinal products and their effectiveness. Objectives We aimed to document the characteristics, outcomes and prescribing patterns of individuals aged 65+ years receiving prescribed cannabis compared to younger individuals receiving prescribed cannabis. Methods Data from T21, an observational study of patients seeking treatment with medicinal cannabinoids, including self-report ratings of quality of life (assessed via the EQ-5D-5L), general health (assessed via...

Abstract Legalized use of cannabis for medical or recreational use is becoming more and more common. With respect to potential side-effects on bone health only few clinical trials have been conducted – and with opposing results. Therefore, it seems that there is a need for more knowledge on the potential effects of cannabinoids on human bone cells. We studied the effect of cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (dose range from 0.3 to 30 μM) on human osteoclasts in mono- as well as in co-cultures with human osteoblast lineage cells. We have used CD14+ monocytes from anonymous blood donors to differentiate into osteoclasts, and human osteoblast lineage cells from outgrowths of human trabecular bone. Our results show that THC...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Purpose of Review Neuropathic pain (NP) remains a challenge to treat, with 50% of patients experiencing limited efficacy from current treatments. Medicinal cannabis, which contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and other minor cannabinoids, is garnering attention as an alternative treatment for NP. This paper reviews the clinical evidence for phytocannabinoid treatment of NP. Recent Findings Seventeen randomised controlled trials (RCT) were identified for inclusion in this review. Of these, ten studies using phytocannabinoid preparations containing THC alone had the most evidence for pain relief. Four studies investigating THC/CBD combinations showed some reductions in pain scores,...

Abstract In humans as in animals, males and females are dissimilar in their genetic and hormonally driven behaviour; they process information differently, perceive experience and emotions in different ways, display diverse attitudes, language and social skills, and show sex-related differences in the brain anatomy and organization. Drug addiction is a widespread relapsing illness that affects both men and women. Sex-dependent differences have been frequently observed in the biological and behavioural effects of substances of abuse, including cannabis. Beside sex differences observed in the cannabinoid-induced effects related to cannabis abuse and dependence, cannabinoids have been shown to exert sex-dependent effects also in other physiological and...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are among the most widely used analgesics in the world, cause gastrointestinal inflammation that is potentially life-threatening. Although inhibitors of endocannabinoid catabolic enzymes protect against gastropathy in fasted NSAID-treated mice, the gastroprotective effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of marijuana, have yet to be investigated. Male C57BL/6J mice were fasted, administered vehicle or Δ9-THC (.01–50 mg/kg; oral or intraperitoneal), and then treated with the NSAID diclofenac sodium (100 mg/kg, p.o.) to induce gastric lesions. In separate groups of mice, the cannabimimetic behavioral effects of Δ9-THC given via each route of administration were compared using a battery of tests, consisting...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Issues. To conduct a comprehensive search of the peer-reviewed literature to assess risk of cannabis-related mortality. Approach. Systematic peer-reviewed literature searches were conducted in Medline, EMBASE and PsycINFO to identify data on mortality associated with cannabis use. Search strings for cannabis and mortality were used. Searches were limited to human subjects and the publication timeframe of January 1990 to January 2008. Reference lists of review articles and of specific studies deemed important by colleagues were searched to identify additional studies. A list of the selected articles was emailed to experts in the field asking for comment on completeness. Key Findings. There is insufficient evidence,...

Please use this link to access this publication. Abstract Importance of the field: In recent times, our knowledge of cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system has greatly advanced. With expanding knowledge, synthetic cannabinoids – including nabilone, dronabinol and a combination of synthetic Δ9-THC and cannabidiol – have been developed and tested for benefit in a variety of therapeutic indications. Areas covered in this review: The aim of this article is to provide a summative review of the vast amount of clinical trial data now available on these agents. What the reader will gain: To locate clinical trials for review, a literature search was performed using PubMed between the...