Cannabinoid receptor type 1 mediates high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance by increasing forkhead box O1 activity in a mouse model of obesity.

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David

“Hepatic glucose production is promoted by forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) under conditions of insulin resistance.

The overactivity of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) partly causes increased liver fat deposits and metabolic dysfunction in obese rodents by decreasing mitochondrial function.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of FoxO1 in CB1R-mediated insulin resistance through the dysregulation of mitochondrial function in the livers of mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity.

Taken together, our findings suggest that the anti-insulin resistance effect of AM251, which leads to an improvement of mitochondrial function in hepatic steatosis, is mediated through FoxO1.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26847930

Anti-Inflammatory and Osteoprotective Effects of Cannabinoid-2 Receptor Agonist Hu-308 in a Rat Model of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Periodontitis.

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David

“Anti-inflammatory and immunological properties of cannabinoids have been reported in several tissues.

Also, cannabinoid receptors type 2 (CB2) were reported to be expressed in osteoblast and osteoclast, suggesting a key role in bone metabolism.

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of the treatment with the cannabinoid-2 receptor agonist HU-308 in the oral health of rats subjected to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced periodontitis.

This study demonstrates the anti-inflammatory, osteoprotective and pro-homeostatic effects of HU-308 in oral tissues of rats with LPS-induced periodontitis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26846967

Selective Cannabinoid Receptor-1 Agonists Regulate Mast Cell Activation in an Oxazolone-Induced Atopic Dermatitis Model.

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David

“Many inflammatory mediators, including various cytokines (e.g. interleukins and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]), inflammatory proteases, and histamine are released following mast cell activation.

Endogenous cannabinoids such as palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide or AEA), were found in peripheral tissues and have been proposed to possess autacoid activity, implying that cannabinoids may downregulate mast cell activation and local inflammation.

Our results indicate that CB1R agonists down-regulate mast cell activation and may be used for relieving inflammatory symptoms mediated by mast cell activation, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26848215

Cannabinoid receptor 2 augments eosinophil responsiveness and aggravates allergen-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice.

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David

“Accumulation of activated eosinophils in tissue is a hallmark of allergic inflammation.

The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) has been proposed to elicit eosinophil migration in a CB₂ receptor/G_i/o -dependent manner.

Here we explored the direct contribution of specific CB₂ receptor activation to human and mouse eosinophil effector function in vitro and in vivo.

Our data indicate that CB₂ may directly contribute to the pathogenesis of eosinophil-driven diseases. Moreover, we provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the CB₂ -mediated priming of eosinophils. Hence, antagonism of CB₂ receptors may represent a novel pharmacological approach for the treatment of allergic inflammation and other eosinophilic disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26850094

Medical cannabis: considerations for the anesthesiologist and pain physician.

Posted on February 8, 2016 by David

“New regulations are in place at the federal and provincial levels in Canada regarding the way medical cannabis is to be controlled. We present them together with guidance for the safe use of medical cannabis and recent clinical trials on cannabis and pain.

Health Canada has approved a new regulation on medical marijuana/cannabis, the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations: The production of medical cannabis by individuals is illegal. Health Canada, however, has licensed authorized producers across the country, limiting the production to specific licenses of certain cannabis products. There are currently 26 authorized licensed producers from seven Canadian provinces offering more than 200 strains of marijuana.

We provide guidance for the safe use of medical cannabis.

The recent literature indicates that currently available cannabinoids are modestly effective analgesics that provide a safe, reasonable therapeutic option for managing chronic non-cancer-related pain.

The science of medical cannabis and the need for education of healthcare professionals and patients require continued effort. Although cannabinoids work to decrease pain, there is still a need to confirm these beneficial effects clinically and to exploit them with acceptable benefit-to-risk ratios.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26850063

Cannabidiol, neuroprotection and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Posted on February 5, 2016 by David

“Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic phytocannabinoid derived from Cannabis sativa.

It has possible therapeutic effects over a broad range of neuropsychiatric disorders.

CBD attenuates brain damage associated with neurodegenerative and/or ischemic conditions.

It also has positive effects on attenuating psychotic-, anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors.

Moreover, CBD affects synaptic plasticity and facilitates neurogenesis.

The mechanisms of these effects are still not entirely clear but seem to involve multiple pharmacological targets.

In the present review, we summarized the main biochemical and molecular mechanisms that have been associated with the therapeutic effects of CBD, focusing on their relevance to brain function, neuroprotection and neuropsychiatric disorders.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26845349

Medical marijuana programs – Why might they matter for public health and why should we better understand their impacts?

Posted on February 5, 2016 by David

“Although cannabis is an illegal drug, ‘medical marijuana programs’ (MMPs) have proliferated (e.g., in Canada and several US states), allowing for legal cannabis use for therapeutic purposes.

While both health risks and potential therapeutic for cannabis use have been documented, potential public health impacts of MMPs – also vis-à-vis other psychoactive substance use – remain under-explored.

We briefly reviewed the emerging evidence on MMP participants’ health status, and specifically other psychoactive substance use behaviors and outcomes.

MMP participants report improvements in overall health status, and specifically reductions in levels of risky alcohol, prescription drug and – to some extent – tobacco or other illicit drug use…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26844050

Medicinal cannabis.

Posted on February 5, 2016 by David

“A number of therapeutic uses of cannabis and its derivatives have been postulated from preclinical investigations.

Possible clinical indications include spasticity and pain in multiple sclerosis, cancer-associated nausea and vomiting, cancer pain and HIV neuropathy.

Controversies lie in how to produce, supply and administer cannabinoid products.

Introduction of cannabinoids therapeutically should be supported by a regulatory and educational framework that minimises the risk of harm to patients and the community.

The Regulator of Medicinal Cannabis Bill 2014 is under consideration in Australia to address this.

Nabiximols is the only cannabinoid on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods at present, although cannabidiol has been recommended for inclusion in Schedule 4.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26843715

“There is some evidence of therapeutic benefit for cannabis products in defined patient populations.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4674028/

A systematic review of plant-derived natural compounds for anxiety disorders.

Posted on February 5, 2016 by David

“Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses affecting human beings. They range from panic to generalized anxiety disorders upsetting the well-being and psychosocial performance of patients. Several conventional anxiolytic drugs are being used which in turn result in several adverse effects. Therefore, studies to find suitable safe medicines from natural sources are being conducted by researchers.

The aim of the present study is to comprehensively review phytochemical compounds with well-established anxiolytic activities and their structure-activity relationships as well as neuropsychopharmacological aspects. Results showed that phytochemicals like; alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, cinnamates, terpenes and saponins possess anxiolytic effects in a wide range of animal models of anxiety.

The involved mechanisms include interaction with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptors at benzodiazepine (BZD) and non-BZD sites with various affinity to different subunits, serotonergic 5-hydrodytryptamine (5-HT)1A and 5-HT2A/C receptors, noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems, glycine and glutamate receptors, and κ-opioid receptor as well as cannabinoid (CB)1 and CB2 receptors.

Phytochemicals also modulate the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and improve brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V (TRPV)3, nitric oxide cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) pathway and monoamine oxidase enzymes are other targets of phytochemicals with anxiolytic activity.

Taking together, these phytochemicals may be considered as supplements to conventional anxiolytic therapies in order to improve efficacy and reduce adverse effects.

Further preclinical and clinical studies are still needed in order to recognize the structure-activity relationships, metabolism, absorption, and neuropsychopharmacological mechanisms of plant-derived natural agents.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26845556

Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Schizophrenia: An Overview.

Posted on February 5, 2016 by David

“Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and its analogues are found to have particular application in psychiatry because of their antipsychotic properties suggesting a therapeutic use as neuroleptic agents in limiting psychotic diseases.

These treatments should not only aim to alleviate specific symptoms but also attempt to delay/arrest disease progression.

In the present review, we reported recent studies supporting the view that the cannabinoid signalling system is a key modulatory element in the activity of the striatum and temporal cortex that has been traditionally associated with psychosis and schizophrenia.

This idea is supported by different anatomical, electrophysiological, pharmacological and biochemical data.

Furthermore, these studies indicate that the cannabinoid system is impaired in different psychotic disorders, supporting the idea of developing novel pharmacotherapies with compounds that selectively target specific elements of the cannabinoid system.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26845552

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/schizophrenia/