Category Archives: Anorexia

Cannabis sativa and the endogenous cannabinoid system: therapeutic potential for appetite regulation.

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“The herb Cannabis sativa (C. sativa) has been used in China and on the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years as a medicine.

However, since it was brought to the UK and then the rest of the western world in the late 19th century, its use has been a source of controversy. Indeed, its psychotropic side effects are well reported but only relatively recently has scientific endeavour begun to find valuable uses for either the whole plant or its individual components.

Here, we discuss evidence describing the endocannabinoid system, its endogenous and exogenous ligands and their varied effects on feeding cycles and meal patterns.

Furthermore we also critically consider the mounting evidence which suggests non-Δ(9) tetrahydrocannabinol phytocannabinoids play a vital role in C. sativa-induced feeding pattern changes.

Indeed, given the wide range of phytocannabinoids present in C. sativa and their equally wide range of intra-, inter- and extra-cellular mechanisms of action, we demonstrate that non-Δ(9) tetrahydrocannabinol phytocannabinoids retain an important and, as yet, untapped clinical potential.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21213357

Non-Δ⁹tetrahydrocannabinol phytocannabinoids stimulate feeding in rats.

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“Cannabinoid type 1 receptor-mediated appetite stimulation by Δ⁹tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹THC) is well understood.

Recently, it has become apparent that non-Δ⁹THC phytocannabinoids could also alter feeding patterns.

Here, we show definitively that non-Δ⁹THC phytocannabinoids stimulate feeding.

Twelve male, Lister-Hooded rats were prefed to satiety prior to administration of a standardized cannabis extract or to either of two mixtures of pure phytocannabinoids (extract analogues) comprising the phytocannabinoids present in the same proportions as the standardized extract (one with and one without Δ⁹THC). Hourly intake and meal pattern data were recorded and analysed using two-way analysis of variance followed by one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.

Administration of both extract analogues significantly increased feeding behaviours over the period of the test. All three agents increased hour-one intake and meal-one size and decreased the latency to feed, although the zero-Δ⁹THC extract analogue did so to a lesser degree than the high-Δ⁹THC analogue.

Furthermore, only the analogue containing Δ⁹THC significantly increased meal duration.

The data confirm that at least one non-Δ⁹THC phytocannabinoid induces feeding pattern changes in rats, although further trials using individual phytocannabinoids are required to fully understand the observed effects.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22157176

A low-Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis extract induces hyperphagia in rats.

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“Appetite stimulation via partial agonism of cannabinoid type 1 receptors by Δtetrahydrocannabinol (ΔTHC) is well documented and can be modulated by non-ΔTHC phytocannabinoids.

ΔTHC concentrations sufficient to elicit hyperphagia induce changes to both appetitive (reduced latency to feed) and consummatory (increased meal one size and duration) behaviours.

Here, we show that a cannabis extract containing too little ΔTHC to stimulate appetite can induce hyperphagia solely by increasing appetitive behaviours.

These results show only the increase in appetitive behaviours, which could be attributed to non-ΔTHC phytocannabinoids in the extract rather than ΔTHC.

Although further study is required to determine the constituents responsible for these effects, these results support the presence of non-ΔTHC cannabis constituent(s) that exert a stimulatory effect on appetite and likely lack the detrimental psychoactive effects of ΔTHC.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20975531

Peripheral endocannabinoid signaling controls hyperphagia in western diet-induced obesity.

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“The endocannabinoid system in the brain and periphery plays a major role in controlling food intake and energy balance.

We reported that tasting dietary fats was met with increased levels of the endocannabinoids, 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG) and anandamide, in the rat upper small intestine, and pharmacological inhibition of this local signaling event dose-dependently blocked sham feeding of fats.

We now investigated the contribution of peripheral endocannabinoid signaling in hyperphagia associated with chronic consumption of a western-style diet in mice ([WD] i.e., high fat and sucrose).

These results suggest that endogenous activity at peripheral CB1Rs in WD mice is critical for driving hyperphagia.

In support of this hypothesis, levels of 2-AG and anandamide in both, jejunum mucosa and plasma, of ad-libitum fed WD mice increased when compared to SC mice. Furthermore, expression of genes for primary components of the endocannabinoid system (i.e., cannabinoid receptors, and endocannabinoid biosynthetic and degradative enzymes) was dysregulated in WD mice when compared to SC mice.

Our results suggest that hyperphagia associated with WD-induced obesity is driven by enhanced endocannabinoid signaling at peripheral CB1Rs.”

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28065722

Association Between Use of Cannabis in Adolescence and Weight Change into Midlife.

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“Cannabis use has been found to stimulate appetite and potentially promote weight gain via activation of the endocannabinoid system.

Despite the fact that the onset of cannabis use is typically during adolescence, the association between adolescence cannabis use and long-term change in body weight is generally unknown.

This study aims to examine the association between adolescence cannabis use and weight change to midlife, while accounting for the use of other substances.

In conclusion, this study does not provide evidence of an association between adolescence cannabis use and weight change from adolescence to midlife.”

 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28060830

Brain CB₂ Receptors: Implications for Neuropsychiatric Disorders.

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“Although previously thought of as the peripheral cannabinoid receptor, it is now accepted that the CB₂ receptor is expressed in the central nervous system on microglia, astrocytes and subpopulations of neurons.

Expression of the CB₂ receptor in the brain is significantly lower than that of the CB₁ receptor. Conflicting findings have been reported on the neurological effects of pharmacological agents targeting the CB₂ receptor under normal conditions.

Under inflammatory conditions, CB₂ receptor expression in the brain is enhanced and CB2 receptor agonists exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects. These findings have prompted research into the CB₂ receptor as a possible target for the treatment of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.

Neuroinflammatory alterations are also associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and polymorphisms in the CB₂ gene have been reported in depression, eating disorders and schizophrenia. This review will examine the evidence to date for a role of brain CB₂ receptors in neuropsychiatric disorders.”

 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27713365

Cannabinoid Agonists Show Promise for Anorexia

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“Impairments in the endocannabinoid system in the brain could play an important role in the development of anorexia nervosa, say Italian researchers, who report findings that point to novel cannabis-based therapeutic strategies for the eating disorder.

In a mouse model of anorexia, the team found not only that the density of cannabinoid receptors was significantly reduced in areas associated with appetite but also that administration of receptor agonists led to increases in body weight and a reduction in interest in exercise.”

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/868990

Got Munchies? Estimating the Relationship between Marijuana Use and Body Mass Index.

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“Although marijuana use is commonly associated with increased appetite and the likelihood of weight gain, research findings in this area are mixed.

Most studies, however, report cross-sectional associations and rarely control for such important predictors as physical activity, socioeconomic status, and alcohol and other drug use.

Results show that daily female marijuana users have a BMI that is approximately 3.1% (p<0.01) lower than that of non-users, whereas daily male users have a BMI that is approximately 2.7% (p<0.01) lower than that of non-users.

 

The present study indicates a negative association between marijuana use and BMI.

Uncovering a negative association between marijuana use and weight status is a valuable contribution to the literature, as this result contradicts those from some previous studies, which were unable to address time-invariant unobserved heterogeneity.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27572145

“Daily Marijuana Use Linked to Lower BMI”           http://www.livescience.com/56068-daily-marijuana-use-linked-to-lower-bmi.html

“Marijuana Makes You Skinny? New Study Says Pot May Lead To Lower Body Mass Index” http://www.ibtimes.com/marijuana-makes-you-skinny-new-study-says-pot-may-lead-lower-body-mass-index-2414737

“Smoking marijuana can lower your BMI, study finds”  https://www.rawstory.com/2016/09/smoking-marijuana-can-lower-your-bmi-study-finds/

The inhibitory effect of combination treatment with leptin and cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist on food intake and body weight gain is mediated by serotonin 1B and 2C receptors.

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“Previous studies reported that the co-injection of leptin and cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists reduces food intake and body weight in rats, and this effect is more profound than that induced by these compounds individually. Additionally, serotonin mediates the effects of numerous anorectic drugs.

To investigate whether serotonin interacts with leptin and endocannabinoids to affect food intake and body weight, we administered 5-hydroxytryptamine(HT)1B and 5-hydroxytryptamine(HT)2C serotonin receptor antagonists (3 mg/kg GR 127935 and 0.5 mg/kg SB 242084, respectively) to male Wistar rats treated simultaneously with leptin (100 μg/kg) and the CB1 receptor inverse agonist AM 251 (1 mg/kg) for 3 days.

In accordance with previous findings, the co-injection of leptin and AM 251, but not the individual injection of each drug, resulted in a significant decrease in food intake and body weight gain. Blockade of the 5-HT1B and 5-HT2C receptors completely abolished the leptin- and AM 251-induced anorectic and body-weight-reducing effects.

These results suggest that serotonin mediates the leptin- and AM 251-dependent regulation of feeding behavior in rats via the 5-HT1B and 5-HT2C receptors.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27512006

Medical Marijuana-Opportunities and Challenges

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“Over the recent years, public and political opinions have demonstrated increasing support for the legalization of medical marijuana.

To date, 24 states as well as the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medical use, 4 states have legalized the recreational use of Marijuana.

Marijuana is derived from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the major psychoactive constituent of cannabis, while cannabidiol (CBD) is the major non-psychoactive constituent. THC is a partial agonist at CB1 and CB2 receptors, while CBD at high levels is an antagonist CB1 and CB2.

CB1 is abundantly expressed in the brain, and CB2 is expressed on immune cells (expression of CB2 on neurons remains controversial). The brain also produces endogenous cannabis-like substances (endocannabinoids) that bind and activate the CB1/CB2 receptors.

There is tremendous interest in harnessing the therapeutic potential of plant-derived and synthetic cannabinoids.

This Editorial provides an overview of diseases that may be treated by cannabinoids.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4948749/