Antioxidant compound from soybeans may prevent marijuana-induced blood vessel damage
July 30, 2019
Science Daily/American Heart Association
Marijuana exposure damages cells of the inner lining of blood vessels throughout the heart and vascular system. In studies with human cells and arteries from mice, a compound found in soybeans blocked the damage and may have potential in preventing cardiovascular side effects of marijuana use.
In laboratory tests, a compound found in soybeans blocked damage to the lining of blood vessels in the heart and circulatory system and may someday provide a way to prevent the cardiovascular side effects of recreational and medical marijuana use, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Basic Cardiovascular Sciences 2019 Scientific Sessions.
Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug worldwide and is increasingly being made legal for recreational and medicinal purposes. However, there have been studies that link marijuana smoking to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
There can also be cardiovascular side effects, including changes in heart rate and blood pressure, when people take FDA-approved medications containing a synthetic version of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) -- the main compound in marijuana that gives the sensation of being high.
"These medications are prescribed to reduce the nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy and to increase appetite in certain people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome," said Tzu-Tan "Thomas" Wei, Ph.D., the study's lead author and assistant professor of pharmacology in the College of Medicine at National Taiwan University in Taipei City. "The goal of our studies is to investigate the mechanisms of marijuana-induced damage and discover new drugs to prevent those side effects."
The effects of THC occur after it binds to one of two cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) that are found throughout the brain and body and are also acted on by naturally occurring cannabinoids.
In the current study, the researchers used endothelial cells (like those that line blood vessels) derived from the stem cells of five healthy people. Exposing the cells to THC, they found that:
THC exposure induced inflammation and oxidative stress, which are known to affect the inner linings of blood vessels and are associated with the development of heart disease.
Lab techniques that block access to the CB1 receptor by THC eliminated the effects of THC exposure on endothelial cells.
Treatment with JW-1, an antioxidant compound found in soybeans, eliminated the effects of THC exposure.
In addition, the researchers used a laboratory technique called wire myography to examine the response of mouse arteries to THC, finding that JW-1 blocked THC's negative effects on the function of the inner lining.
An earlier attempt to gain health benefits from blocking the CB1 receptor proved problematic.
"Previously, a drug that blocked CB1 was approved in Europe for the treatment of obesity, but it had to be withdrawn because of severe psychiatric side effects," Wei said. "In contrast, as an antioxidant, JW-1 may have neuroprotective effects. Discovering a new way to protect blood vessels without psychiatric side effects would be clinically important with the rapid growth of cannabis use worldwide."
The researchers are currently extending their research by testing cells derived from regular marijuana users and those who smoke both cigarettes and marijuana. In addition, they are looking at the impact of THC along with the other main component of marijuana, cannabidiol.
"Meanwhile, if you have heart disease, talk to your doctor before you use marijuana or one of the synthetic THC-containing medications," Wei said. "Marijuana may cause more severe effects on the cardiovascular system in those with pre-existing heart disease."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190730182430.htm
Curiosity main motivator behind synthetic THC use among college students
December 15, 2014
Science Daily/University of Cincinnati
A survey of more than 300 college students reveals that college students who use "fake weed" or synthetic THC are most likely to have tried the drug because they were curious.
Rebecca Vidourek, a University of Cincinnati assistant professor of health promotion and assistant director of the Center for Prevention Science; Keith King, a UC professor of health promotion and director of the Center for Prevention Science; and Michelle Burbage, a graduate student and graduate assistant for UC's Health Promotion and Education Program, published their findings in the current issue of the Journal of Drug Education.
The study found that 17 percent of the students surveyed reported taking synthetic THC at least once in their lifetime. Three percent of those surveyed had reported recent use. "Based on the study's findings, it appears senior year of high school and the first year of college is the primary time for initiating use of THC," write the authors of the study. "Perhaps, targeting middle and high school students with education programs on the negative effects of THC is needed to prevent initiation and regular use."
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the chemical compound that is naturally produced in the cannabis or marijuana plant that results in the relaxation or "high" effect of marijuana users. Synthetic THC -- sold under street names such as K2, fake weed, herbal incense, plant food, spice and other names -- is produced with chemicals to mimic the effects of THC in the natural form of marijuana. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that the lab chemicals most commonly found in synthetic THC have been defined by the Drug Enforcement Agency as Schedule 1 controlled substances.
However, these lab-manufactured drugs are easy to get, hard to spot in drug tests, and, as a result, they're becoming increasingly popular among young people. The authors say previous research on the use of synthetic THC has centered on the high-school population with limited research on its use among college students.
The authors distributed a three-page survey that was completed by 338 students in undergraduate and graduate health programs at a public university.
The survey found that the majority of the survey participants had not used synthetic THC -- 17.1 percent of respondents reported using synthetic THC at least once in their lifetime. The study's authors report that of those who had tried THC, 19.2 percent reported curiosity as the top reason for trying the substance; 17.4 percent reported using the drug for the purpose of getting high and 10.6 percent reported that the "fun of feeling high" was the main factor contributing to use. The authors also report that 4 percent had tried THC to "fit in," and 3.8 percent felt they were peer-pressured into trying the drug.
The majority of students who had used the drug also reported that head shops -- retail outlets that sell items such as tobacco products, bongs, roach clips and other casual drug-related paraphernalia -- were popular places to purchase synthetic THC, followed by friends, tobacco shops, hemp shops, the Internet, gas stations, convenience stores and other locales.
The survey also turned up students reporting negative side effects from using THC, including racing heartbeat, nervousness, paranoia, nausea and headaches.
Study Demographics
The survey sample was just over 59.2 percent female (200 students) and 40.8 percent male (138 students), with ages ranging from 18 to 36. Eighty-one percent of the participants where white; 7.7 percent were African-American; 6 percent were Asian; 3.3 percent identified as "other"; and 1.5 percent reported being Hispanic. The sample included students ranging from freshmen to graduate students.
Researchers found no significant differences in drug use based on when they first tried THC. However, the survey indicated that females were more likely to try the drug at a significantly younger age (17.8) than males (18.4). The majority of freshmen and sophomores in the survey who had tried THC began using when they were just over 16 ½. Juniors, seniors and grad students reported a later initiation age of 18.82 years.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141215094316.htm
University of Saskatchewan Research Suggests Marijuana Analogue Stimulates Brain Cell Growth
October 16, 2005
Science Daily/University of Saskatchewan
A synthetic substance similar to ones found in marijuana stimulates cell growth in regions of the brain associated with anxiety and depression, pointing the way for new treatments for these diseases, according to University of Saskatchewan medical research published today in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Xia Zhang, an associate professor in the U of S neuropsychiatry research unit, led the team that tested the effects of HU-210, a potent synthetic cannabinoid similar to a group of compounds found in marijuana. The synthetic version is about 100 times as powerful as THC, the compound responsible for the high experienced by recreational users.
The team found that rats treated with HU-210 on a regular basis showed neurogenesis – the growth of new brain cells in the hippocampus. This region of the brain is associated with learning and memory, as well as anxiety and depression.
The effect is the opposite of most legal and illicit drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, heroin, and cocaine.
“Most ‘drugs of abuse’ suppress neurogenesis,” Zhang says. “Only marijuana promotes neurogenesis.”
Current theory states that depression may be sparked when too few new brain cells are grown in the hippocampus. It is unclear whether anxiety is part of this process, but if true, HU-210 could offer a treatment for both mood disorders by stimulating the growth of new brain cells.
But Zhang cautions that HU-210 is only one of many cannabinoids. His previous work with marijuana shows that while the plant may contain medicinal compounds, they come in the same package as those that cause symptoms such as acute memory impairment, addiction, and withdrawal. Also, the HU-210 used in the study is highly purified.
“This is a very potent cannabinoid oil,” Zhang says. “It’s not something that would be available on the street.”
Marijuana has been used for recreational and medicinal purposes for centuries, evoking public interest and controversy along the way. As a medicine, the plant is used to ease pain in multiple sclerosis patients, combat nausea in cancer patients, and stimulate appetite in people afflicted with AIDS. It has also been used to treat epilepsy and stroke.
Zhang’s work is the latest product of the U of S Neural Systems and Plasticity Research Group (http://www.usask.ca/neuralsystems/group.htm), a multidisciplinary effort by researchers from the Colleges of Arts and Science, Engineering, Kinesiology, Medicine, Pharmacy and Nutrition, and Veterinary Medicine. The group collaborates to study the function of neural systems, from nerves to brain, in living organisms. In particular, they look at how these systems change over time with experience.
Zhang’s research is supported by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), as well as a CIHR New Investigator Award. The Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation provided funding support to establish the Neural Systems and Plasticity Research Group, as well as post-doctoral fellowship awards to research team members Wen Jiang and Shao-Ping Ji.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051016083817.htm
Synthetic Marijuana Compound Reduces Agitation, Improves Appetite in Alzheimer's Patients
August 21, 2003
Science Daily/Meridian Health System
Study results suggest dronabinol, a synthetic version of THC, the active ingredient in Cannabis sativa L (marijuana), may reduce agitation and lead to weight gain in patients with Alzheimer's disease, according to data presented today at the annual meeting of the International Psychogeriatric Association.
"Our research suggests dronabinol may reduce agitation and improve appetite in patients with Alzheimer's disease, when traditional therapies are not successful," said Joshua Shua-Haim, M.D., lead investigator in the study and medical director of the Meridian Institute for Aging, a continuum of senior health programs and services in Central New Jersey affiliated with Meridian Health System. "In the study, dronabinol appeared to be safe and effective for these patients. The results point to a promising direction for future research."
Dronabinol, marketed under the trade name Marinol, is synthetic delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC). Delta-9-THC also is a naturally occurring component of Cannabis sativa L (marijuana). Dronabinol is the only cannabinoid approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is indicated for the treatment of anorexia in patients with HIV/AIDS and for the treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.
An estimated four million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and the number will grow to 14 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Association. In addition to memory loss, patients often experience agitation, loss of body weight, depression and restlessness.
Agitation is the most frequently encountered type of behavioral disturbance associated with Alzheimer's disease and affects an estimated 75 percent of people with the disease. Weight loss, a common problem in patients with Alzheimer's disease, is a predictive factor of mortality. Weight loss may derive from the deterioration of patients' cognitive abilities, resulting in an inability to recognize hunger and thirst.
"It's important to look at all the aspects of Alzheimer's disease that contribute to quality of life for patients, family members and caregivers," said Dr. Shua-Haim. "Agitation and weight loss are upsetting and stressful as the patient's needs become ever more demanding."
The study was a retrospective review and examined 48 patients (mean age = 77) residing in a dementia unit of an assisted living facility or a nursing home. All patients met the DSM-IV and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for possible Alzheimer's disease and, according to their family or caregivers, had unsatisfactory control of their agitation. The mini mental status examination (MMSE), a test used to measure a person's basic cognitive skills, and an assessment of activities of daily living were used to evaluate patients prior to treatment with dronabinol and at one month. Patients initially received 5 mg/day of dronabinol in two doses. The treatment was titrated up to a maximum of 10 mg/day. In addition, all patients were treated with atypical neuroleptics and at least four medications to control behavior.
The evaluation by caregivers following one month of treatment found 31 patients (66 percent) experienced a significant improvement in agitation. Functional improvement was observed in 33 (69 percent) of the patients. Prior to the study, all patients experienced weight loss and had been diagnosed with anorexia. After treatment with dronabinol, all patients (100 percent) had gained weight. No adverse events, such as falls, syncope, seizures or exacerbation of agitation or depression, were reported as a result of treatment.
Meridian Health System is comprised of Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, Medical Center of Ocean County in Brick, and Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, in addition to long-term care and assisted living facilities, a home care agency, ambulatory care sites, ambulance services, and other related health services and affiliations throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties in New Jersey.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/08/030821072622.htm