Category Archives: Uncategorized

Proteomic characterization of hempseed (Cannabis Sativa L.).

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“Hempseed is an underexploited non-legume protein-rich seed. Although its protein is well-known for its digestibility, essential amino acid composition, and useful techno-functional properties, a comprehensive proteome characterization is still lacking. The objective of this work was to fill this knowledge gap and provide information useful for a better exploitation of this seed in different food products.”

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“This paper presents an investigation on hempseed proteome.

The experimental approach, based on combinatorial peptide ligand libraries (CPLLs), SDS-PAGE separation, nLC-ESI-MS/MS identification, and database search, permitted identifying in total 181 expressed proteins. This very large number of identifications was achieved by searching in two databases: Cannabis sativa L. (56 gene products identified) and Arabidopsis thaliana(125 gene products identified). By performing a protein-protein association network analysis using the STRING software, it was possible to build the first interactomic map of all detected proteins, characterized by 137 nodes and 410 interactions. Finally, a Gene Ontology analysis of the identified species permitted to classify their molecular functions: the great majority is involved in the seed metabolic processes (41%), responses to stimulus (8%), and biological process (7%).”

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1874391916302354

Comparing adults who use cannabis medically with those who use recreationally: Results from a national sample.

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“There were no significant differences between those who used medically versus recreationally in race, education, past year depression and prevalence of cannabis use disorders. In adjusted analyses, those with medical cannabis use were more likely to have poorer health and lower levels of alcohol use disorders and non-cannabis drug use. A third of those who reported medical cannabis use endorsed daily cannabis use compared to 11% in those who reported recreational use exclusively.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27262964

Sativex Associated With Behavioral-Relapse Prevention Strategy as Treatment for Cannabis Dependence: A Case Series.

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“The current lack of pharmacological treatments for cannabis dependence warrants the use of novel approaches and further investigation of promising pharmacotherapy.

In this case series, we assessed the use of self-titrated dosages of Sativex (1:1, Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]/cannabidiol [CBD] combination) and motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (MET/CBT) for the treatment of cannabis dependence among 5 treatment-seeking community-recruited cannabis-dependent subjects.

THC/CBD metabolite concentration indicated reduced cannabis use and compliance with medication.

CONCLUSIONS:

In summary, this pilot study found that with Sativex in combination with MET/CBT reduced cannabis use while preventing increases in craving and withdrawal in the 4 participants completing the study. Further systematic exploration of Sativex as a pharmacological treatment option for cannabis dependence should be performed.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27261670

Cannabinoid receptor-2 stimulation suppresses neuroinflammation by regulating microglial M1/M2 polarization through the cAMP/PKA pathway in an experimental GMH rat model.

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“Excessive inflammatory responses are involved in secondary brain injury during germinal matrix hemorrhage (GMH). The process of microglial polarization to the pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes is considered to occur in a major immunomodulatory manner during brain inflammation.

We previously found that cannabinoid receptor-2 (CB2R) stimulation attenuated microglial accumulation and brain injury following experimental GMH.

Herein, we investigated the effects of CB2R stimulation on neuroinflammation after experimental GMH and the potential mechanisms that mediate M1/M2 microglial phenotype regulation.

This is the first study to propose that promotion of microglial M2 polarization through the cAMP/PKA pathway participates in the CB2R-mediated anti-inflammatory effects after GMH induction.

The results will help to further understand the mechanisms that underlie neuroprotection by CB2R in GMH and promote clinical translational research for CB2R agonists.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27261088

Inhaled delivery of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to rats by e-cigarette vapor technology.

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“Most human Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use is via inhalation, and yet few animal studies of inhalation exposure are available. Popularization of non-combusted methods for the inhalation of psychoactive drugs (Volcano®, e-cigarettes) further stimulates a need for rodent models of this route of administration.

This study was designed to develop and validate a rodent chamber suitable for controlled exposure to vaporized THC in a polyethylene glycol vehicle, using an e-cigarette delivery system adapted to standard size, sealed rat housing chambers.

The in vivo efficacy of inhaled THC was validated using radiotelemetry to assess body temperature and locomotor responses, a tail-flick assay for nociception and plasma analysis to verify exposure levels.

This approach is flexible, robust and effective for use in laboratory rats and will be of increasing utility as users continue to adopt “vaping” for the administration of cannabis.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27256501

Clinical Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists Compared with Marijuana in Emergency Department Patients with Acute Drug Overdose.

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“Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) are heterogeneous compounds originally intended as probes of the endogenous cannabinoid system or as potential therapeutic agents.

In the first clinical study comparing the adverse effects of SCRA overdose vs. marijuana controls in an ED population, we found that SCRA overdoses had significantly pronounced neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity compared with marijuana.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27255136

Are medical marijuana users different from recreational users? The view from primary care.

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“Marijuana is currently approved for medical use in 23 states. Both clinicians and the lay public have questioned whether users of marijuana for medical purposes are different from users of marijuana for recreational purposes.

This study examined similarities and differences in important clinical characteristics between users of medical marijuana and users of recreational marijuana.

There was no significant difference between medical and recreational users in the percentage using marijuana with at least two additional substances.

CONCLUSIONS AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE:

Although our results suggest that there are few distinct differences between medical and recreational users of marijuana, the differences observed, while mostly very small in effect size, are consistent with at least some medical users employing marijuana to relieve symptoms and distress associated with medical illness.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26337603

Activation of endocannabinoid system in the rat basolateral amygdala improved scopolamine-induced memory consolidation impairment.

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“The current study was designed to examine the involvement of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in scopolamine-induced memory impairment in adult male Wistar rats.

In view of the known actions of the drugs used, the present data pointed to the involvement of the BLA CB1 receptors in scopolamine-induced memory consolidation impairment.

Furthermore, it seems that a functional interaction between the BLA endocannabinoid and cholinergic muscarinic systems may be critical for memory formation.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27230394

“The most dangerous drug in the world: ‘Devil’s Breath’ chemical from Colombia can block free will, wipe memory and even kill. Scopolamine often blown into faces of victims or added to drinks. Within minutes, victims are like ‘zombies’ – coherent, but with no free will. Drug is made from borrachero tree, which is common in Colombia”  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2143584/Scopolamine-Powerful-drug-growing-forests-Colombia-ELIMINATES-free-will.html

“Activation of endocannabinoid system in the rat basolateral amygdala improved scopolamine-induced memory consolidation impairment.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27230394

Cannabinoids inhibit fibrogenesis in diffuse systemic sclerosis fibroblasts.

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Rheumatology

“Recently, it has also been demonstrated that the pleiotropic cannabinoid system is involved in both liver and pancreatic fibrosis. Furthermore, cannabinoids may play a pro- or anti-fibrogenic role depending on their interaction with CB1r or CB2r.

This raises the possibility that pharmacologic modulation of the endocannabinoid system could be a target to limit tissue damage in pathologic fibrosis.

It has been demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system is up-regulated in pathologic fibrosis and that modulation of the cannabinoid receptors might limit the progression of uncontrolled fibrogenesis.

Both CB1 and CB2 receptors were over-expressed in dcSSc fibroblasts compared with healthy controls.

Our preliminary findings suggest that cannabinoids are provided with an anti-fibrotic activity, thereby possibly representing a new class of agents targeting fibrosis diseases.”

http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/48/9/1050.long