Downstream effects of endocannabinoid on blood cells: implications for health and disease.

“Endocannabinoids (eCBs), among which N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are the most biologically active members, are polyunsaturated lipids able to bind cannabinoid, vanilloid and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Depending on the target engaged, these bioactive mediators can regulate different signalling pathways, at both central and peripheral levels.

The biological action of eCBs is tightly controlled by a plethora of metabolic enzymes which, together with the molecular targets of these substances, form the so-called “endocannabinoid system”.

The ability of eCBs to control manifold peripheral functions has received a great deal of attention, especially in the light of their widespread distribution in the body.

In particular, eCBs are important regulators in blood, where they modulate haematopoiesis, platelet aggregation and apoptosis, as well as chemokine release and migration of immunocompetent cells.

Here, we shall review the current knowledge on the pathophysiological roles of eCBs in blood. We shall also discuss the involvement of eCBs in those disorders affecting the haematological system, including cancer and inflammation.

Knowledge gained to date underlines a fundamental role of the eCB system in blood, thus suggesting that it may represent a therapeutic promise for a broad range of diseases involving impaired hematopoietic cell functions.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25957591

A novel hemp seed meal protein hydrolysate reduces oxidative stress factors in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Logo of nutrients

“This report shows the antioxidant effects of a hemp seed meal protein hydrolysate (HMH) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)…

The results suggest that HMH contained antioxidant peptides that reduced the rate of lipid peroxidation in SHRs with enhanced antioxidant enzyme levels and total antioxidant capacity.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25493943

“Cannabis sativa L., also commonly called industrial hemp seed, is historically an important source of food, fibre, dietary oil and medicine; the seed contains about 30% oil and 25% protein…

Proteins from both plant and animal sources, including those of hemp seed, have been isolated and recognized as essential sources of bioactive peptides capable of exerting various in vitro and in vivo activities, such as antioxidant, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, opioid, antithrombotic, hypocholesterolemic, appetite-reducing, mineral-binding, immunomodulatory and cytomodulatory…

HMH may serve as an important ingredient to formulate antioxidant diets with potential therapeutic effects.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4276990/

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/

The role of cannabinoids in adult neurogenesis.

“Cannabinoids are a unique class of chemical compounds incorporating plant-derived cannabinoids (the active components of Cannabis sativa), the endogenous cannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoid ligands, and these compounds are becoming increasingly recognized for their roles in neural developmental processes.

Indeed, cannabinoids have clear modulatory roles in adult neurogenesis, likely through activation of both CB1 and CB2receptors.

In recent years a large body of literature has deciphered the signalling networks involved in cannabinoid-mediated regulation of neurogenesis. This timely review summarises the evidence that the cannabinoid system is intricately associated with neuronal differentiation and maturation of NPCs, and highlights intrinsic/extrinsic signalling mechanisms that are cannabinoid targets.

Overall these findings identify the central role of the cannabinoid system in adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus and the lateral ventricles, and hence provide insight into the processes underlying post-developmental neurogenesis in the mammalian brain.”

Smoke Your Troubles Away: Exploring the Effects of Death Cognitions on Cannabis Craving and Consumption.

“When reminded of their death, participants craved cannabis, even though there was no change in their conscious negative mood… Results indicate that cannabis served as a buffer and prevented death-related thoughts from entering consciousness, thus acting as a defense mechanism against death anxiety.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25950588

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/anxiety-2/

New quinolone- and 1,8-naphthyridine-3-carboxamides as selective CB2 receptor agonists with anticancer and immuno-modulatory activity.

“Several recent studies suggest that selective CB2 receptor agonists may represent a valid pharmacological approach in the treatment of various diseases due to the absence of relevant psychoactive side effect…

Two compounds showing the best binding and selectivity profile behaved as a full agonist and a partial agonist at the CB2 receptor and induced a concentration-dependent decrease of cell viability on LNCaP, a prostatic cancer cell line expressing CB2 receptor.

Moreover considering that the CB2 receptor is mainly expressed in cells and organs of the immune system, the same compounds were studied for their potential immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in activated lymphocytes isolated from healthy controls and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25935384

Cannabis Enhances Bipolar Patients’ Neurocognitive Performance

Image result for medicalnewstoday

“According to a study published online in the journal Psychiatry Research, individuals with bipolar disorder who used cannabis showed higher neurocognitive performance than patients who did not use cannabis.

Researchers at The Zucker Hillside Hospital in Long Island, NY, in collaboration with a team at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, examined the difference in cognitive performance among 50 individuals with bipolar disorder who had a history of cannabis use, with 150 bipolar patients who had no history of cannabis use.

The team discovered that patients who used cannabis showed superior neurocognitive performance than those who did not…

“These data could be interpreted to suggest that cannabis use may have a beneficial effect on cognitive functioning in patients with severe psychiatric disorders…””

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249006.php

“Cognitive and clinical outcomes associated with cannabis use in patients with bipolar I disorder”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408776/

Study: Pot May Improve Cognitive Functioning in Bipolar Disorder

4834872285_7168080651_omain.jpg

“Patients with severe psychiatric disorders actually function better in neurocognitive assessments when they have a history of marijuana use.

Patients with bipolar I disorder performed better in neurocognitive assessments when they had a history of marijuana use.”

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/08/study-pot-may-improve-cognitive-functioning-in-bipolar-disorder/261140/

“Cognitive and clinical outcomes associated with cannabis use in patients with bipolar I disorder”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408776/

Cannabinoid Receptor-2 Regulates Embryonic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Development via PGE2 and P-selectin Activity.

“Cannabinoids (CB) modulate adult hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPCs) function, however, impact on the production, expansion or migration of embryonic HSCs is currently uncharacterized.

Here, using chemical and genetic approaches targeting CB-signaling in zebrafish, we show that CB receptor (CNR) 2, but not CNR1, regulates embryonic HSC development…

Together, these data suggest CNR2-signaling optimizes the production, expansion and migration of embryonic HSCs by modulating multiple downstream signaling pathways.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25931248

It’s “BRAIN TUMOR AWARENESS MONTH”. Please, BE AWARE:

“A glioma is a primary brain tumor that originates from the supportive cells of the brain, called glial cells.” http://neurosurgery.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=159

“Long-term use of both mobile and cordless phones is associated with an increased risk for glioma, the most common type of brain tumor, the latest research on the subject concludes.”  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/834888

“Remarkably, cannabinoids kill glioma cells selectively and can protect non-transformed glial cells from death… cannabinoids-the active components of the plant Cannabis sativa.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15275820

Green Party politician Ian Driver wants a Cannabis cafe to open in Kent

“Molecular mechanisms involved in the antitumor activity of cannabinoids… Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa, have been shown to exert antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on a wide spectrum of tumor cells… Of interest, cannabinoids have displayed great potency in reducing the growth of glioma tumors… Cannabinoids appear to be selective antitumoral agents as they kill glioma cells without affecting the viability of non-transformed cells. Cannabinoids have been proven to inhibit glioma tumor growth… Since cannabinoids kill tumor cells without toxicity on their non transformed counterparts, they can represent a class of new potential anticancer drugs.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3835116/
“Antitumor effects of THC.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1240145/

“…cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, is able to kill glioma cells, both in vivo and in vitro, independently of cannabinoid receptor stimulation… CBD exerts its antitumoral effects through modulation of the LOX pathway and of the endocannabinoid system…” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18028339

“Antitumor effects of cannabidiol, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid, on human glioma cell lines… Marijuana and its derivatives have been used in medicine for many centuries… cannabinoids (CBs) have been shown to possess antitumor properties… the nonpsychoactive CBD was able to produce a significant antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo,” http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/308/3/838.long

“Cannabinoids appear to be selective antitumoral agents as they kill glioma cells without affecting the viability of nontransformed counterparts… good safety profile… remarkable antitumor effects… anticancer activity of cannabinoids.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18088200

“Marijuana Could Cure Cancer And Brain Tumors, Suggests Study” http://www.newseveryday.com/articles/13835/20150416/marijuana-fight-both-cancer-brain-tumour-research.htm

“Marijuana can kill cancer cells and even shrink brain tumours, amazing new findings reveal” http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/marijuana-can-kill-cancer-cells-5502082

“Cannabis extract shrinks brain tumours” http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6283-cannabis-extract-shrinks-brain-tumours.html#.VUSoGlU4nTY

“Cannabis chemicals slows down brain cancer tumour: British Scientists” http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Cannabis-chemicals-slows-down-brain-cancer-tumour-British-Scientists/articleshow/45166303.cms

“Cannabis reduce tumour growth in cancer patients” http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Cannabis-reduce-tumour-growth-in-cancer-patients/articleshow/38456886.cms

“Cannabis can cure cancer and even shrink brain tumours” http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Cannabis-can-cure-cancer-and-even-shrink-brain-tumours/articleshow/46902373.cms

“Cannabinoids may cause antitumor effects by various mechanisms, including induction of cell death, inhibition of cell growth, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis invasion and metastasis. Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but do not affect their nontransformed counterparts and may even protect them from cell death.” https://medicine.yale.edu/cancer/patient/programs/sarcoma/info/info.aspx?id=CDR683767

“Study: Thinking Can Speed Up Brain Tumour Growth”
http://au.ibtimes.com/study-thinking-can-speed-brain-tumour-growth-1443392

“Cannabis Significantly Prevents Tumour Growth in Cancer Patients” http://au.ibtimes.com/cannabis-significantly-preventstumour-growth-cancer-patients-1347319

“Cannabis Extracts ‘Drastically Reduce’ Brain Tumour Size” http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cannabis-extracts-drastically-reduce-brain-tumour-size-1475399

“Brain Tumors And Cell Phone Use Found To Be Linked (Again)” http://www.medicaldaily.com/brain-tumors-and-cell-phone-use-found-be-linked-again-310460

“Brain Tumors Removed Through The Eye Socket In Revolutionary Operation” http://www.medicaldaily.com/brain-tumors-removed-through-eye-socket-revolutionary-operation-319650

“Cannabis Shrinks Brain Tumors Associated With Highly Aggressive Form Of Cancer” http://www.medicaldaily.com/cannabis-shrinks-brain-tumors-associated-highly-aggressive-form-cancer-310720

“Towards the use of cannabinoids as antitumour agents. Various reports have shown that cannabinoids (the active components of marijuana and their derivatives) can reduce tumour growth and progression in animal models of cancer, in addition to their well-known palliative effects on some cancer-associated symptoms. This article discusses our current understanding of cannabinoids as antitumour agents”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22555283

“…antitumor effects of cannabinoids in gliomas… canabinnoids exercised selective antitumoral action in several distinct tumor models. Thereby, normal cells used as controls were not affected. The safety factor in the cannabinoids’ administration has also been demonstrated in vivo. The various cannabinoids tested in multiple tumor models showed antitumoral effects both in vitro and in vivo. These findings indicate that cannabinoids are promising compounds for the treatment of gliomas.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24142199

“The tumors regressed over the same period of time that cannabis was consumed via inhalation, raising the possibility that the cannabis played a role in the tumor regression.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21336992

“CB1 and CB2 expression levels have been detected in human tumors, including those of brain. Cannabinoids-endocannabinoids exert anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-invasive, anti-metastatic and pro-apoptotic effects in different cancer types, both in vitro and in vivo animal models, after local or systemic administration. We present the available experimental and clinical data, to date, regarding the antitumor action of cannabinoids on the tumorigenesis of gliomas.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25472761

“The efficacy of cannabinoids against high-grade glioma in animal models, mediated by two specific receptors, CB1 and CB2, raised promises for targeted treatment of the most frequent and malignant primary brain tumors… The high levels of CB2 expression would predestine those tumors to be vulnerable to cannabinoid treatment.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17239827

“Cannabinoids may cause antitumor effects by various mechanisms, including induction of cell death, inhibition of cell growth, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis invasion and metastasis… molecular mechanisms of action of cannabinoids as antitumor agents. Cannabinoids appear to kill tumor cells but do not affect their nontransformed counterparts and may even protect them from cell death… these compounds have been shown to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in glioma cells in culture and induce regression of glioma tumors in mice and rats, while they protect normal glial cells…” http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/cannabis/healthprofessional/page4

“As a therapeutic agent, most people are familiar with the palliative effects of the primary psychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa (CS), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a molecule active at both the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors… however, several studies have now shown that CB1 and CB2 receptor agonists can act as direct antitumor agents in a variety of aggressive cancers.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25916739

“CANNABIS can help cancer patients: Drug kills cancer cells and shrinks brain tumours, report reveals.” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3036667/How-cannabis-help-cancer-patients-Drug-kills-cancer-cells-shrinks-brain-tumours-report-reveals.html

“Active Component In Marijuana Targets Aggressive Brain Cancer Cells… cannabinoids such as THC had anticancer effects in mice with human brain cancer cells AND PEOPLE with brain tumors.” http://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/news/20090401/marijuana-chemical-may-fight-brain-cancer

“Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death through stimulation of ER stress in human glioma cells” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2673842/

“Active Ingredient in Marijuana Inhibits Cancer Growth…the cannabinoids found in marijuana may aid in brain tumor treatment…cannabinoids inhibited genes needed for the production of vascular growth factor (VEGF) in laboratory mice with glioma brain tumors AND TWO PATIENTS with late-stage glioblastoma multiforme, a form of brain cancer.” http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20040815/marijuana-stall-brain-tumor-growth

“Cannabinoids Inhibit the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Pathway in Gliomas… Because blockade of the VEGF pathway constitutes one of the most promising antitumoral approaches currently available, the present findings provide a novel pharmacological target for cannabinoid-based therapies.” http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/64/16/5617.long

“Marijuana’s Active Ingredient Targets Deadly Brain Cancer… cannabinoids could stop growth and kill cancer cells but did not harm normal cells.” http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20000228/marijuanas-active-ingredient-targets-deadly-brain-cancer

“Anti-tumoral action of cannabinoids: Involvement of sustained ceramide accumulation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation” http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v6/n3/abs/nm0300_313.html

“Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa L., inhibit tumor growth in laboratory animals by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. It has also been reported that cannabinoids inhibit tumor cell invasiveness… Local administration of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active ingredient of cannabis, down-regulated TIMP-1 expression in mice bearing subcutaneous gliomas… THC also depressed TIMP-1 expression in cultures of various human glioma cell lines as well as in primary tumor cells obtained from a glioblastoma multiforme patient… TIMP-1 down-regulation may be a hallmark of cannabinoid-induced inhibition of glioma progression.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17675107

“Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa L… inhibit tumor growth by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells and impairing tumor angiogenesis… these compounds inhibit tumor cell spreading… Local administration of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major active ingredient of cannabis, down-regulated MMP-2 expression in gliomas generated in mice… MMP-2 down-regulation constitutes a new hallmark of cannabinoid antitumoral activity.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18339876

“Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa… Cannabinoids exert various palliative effects in cancer patients. In addition, cannabinoids inhibit the growth of different types of tumor cells, including glioma cells… Of interest, cannabinoids seem to be selective antitumoral compounds, as they kill glioma cells, but not their non-transformed astroglial counterparts.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17952650

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/brain-cancer/

European rating of drug harms.

“The present paper describes the results of a rating study performed by a group of European Union (EU) drug experts using the multi-criteria decision analysis model for evaluating drug harms.

Alcohol, heroin and crack emerged as the most harmful drugs (overall weighted harm score 72, 55 and 50, respectively). The remaining drugs had an overall weighted harm score of 38 or less, making them much less harmful than alcohol.

The outcome of this study shows that the previous national rankings based on the relative harms of different drugs are endorsed throughout the EU.

The results indicates that EU and national drug policy measures should focus on drugs with the highest overall harm, including alcohol and tobacco, whereas drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy should be given lower priority including a lower legal classification.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25922421

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