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Portillo R, Abad C, Synova T, Kastner P, Heblik D, Kucera R, Karahoda R, Staud F. Cannabidiol disrupts tryptophan metabolism in the human term placenta. Toxicology 2024; 505:153813. [PMID: 38663822 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
The increasing use of cannabis during pregnancy raises concerns about its impact on fetal development. While cannabidiol (CBD) shows therapeutic promise, its effects during pregnancy remain uncertain. We investigated CBD's influence on tryptophan (TRP) metabolism in the human placenta. TRP is an essential amino acid that is metabolized via the serotonin and kynurenine (KYN) pathways, which are critical for fetal neurodevelopment. We used human term villous placental explants, an advanced ex vivo model, to study CBD's impact on key TRP metabolic enzymes. In addition, vesicles isolated from the microvillous membrane (MVM) of the human placenta were used to assess CBD's effect on placental serotonin uptake. Explants were exposed to CBD at therapeutic (0.1, 1, 2.5 μg/ml) and non-therapeutic (20 and 40 μg/ml) concentrations to determine its effects on the gene and protein expression of key enzymes in TRP metabolism and metabolite release. CBD upregulated TRP hydroxylase (TPH) and downregulated monoamine oxidase (MAO-A), resulting in reduced levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (HIAA). It also downregulated serotonin transporter expression and inhibited serotonin transport across the MVM by up to 60% while simultaneously enhancing TRP metabolism via the kynurenine pathway by upregulating indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO-1). Among kynurenine pathway enzymes, kynurenine 3 monooxygenase (KMO) was upregulated while kynurenine aminotransferase 1 (KAT-1) was downregulated; the former is associated with neurotoxic metabolite production, while the latter is linked to reduced neuroprotective metabolite levels. Overall, these results indicate that CBD modulates TRP catabolism in the human placenta, potentially disrupting the tightly regulated homeostasis of the serotonin and KYN pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon Portillo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Cilia Abad
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Tetiana Synova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kastner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Heblik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Kucera
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Rona Karahoda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Staud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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Karki P, Rangaswamy M. A Review of Historical Context and Current Research on Cannabis Use in India. Indian J Psychol Med 2023; 45:105-116. [PMID: 36925496 PMCID: PMC10011848 DOI: 10.1177/02537176221109272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cultivation and use of cannabis is historically rooted in the Indian subcontinent and this rich heritage of cannabis use dates back to at least two thousand years. Cannabis remains an illicit substance in India despite its changing status globally with many countries legalizing cannabis use in recent years. Scientific research on cannabis use in India has also been sparse. Method Extensive search of online databases resulted in the identification of 29 original research studies pertaining to one of three areas of cannabis research; a) prevalence of cannabis use b) psychological correlates of cannabis use, c) cannabis use in substance use treatment settings. Findings We found that most Indian studies used very basic quantitative research designs and had poor scientific rigor. Samples were small, region specific and included only males. Data analyses were limited to descriptive methods. The criteria for cannabis use in most of the reviewed studies were not rigorous and prone to biases. Conclusion & Implications With changing attitudes and loosening of restrictions on cannabis use, the prevalence of new users is rising dramatically particularly in the college going population. This presents a strong need for research on motivations and attitudes to cannabis use and how those can influence patterns of use, and also the short- and long-term effects of use. More studies with stronger research designs (both cross sectional and longitudinal) are required for the study of cannabis use and this knowledge will be critical for managing the growing substance epidemic, generating public health solutions as well as formulating effective policy frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakat Karki
- Dept. of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Madhavi Rangaswamy
- Dept. of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Baban B, Khodadadi H, Salles ÉL, Costigliola V, Morgan JC, Hess DC, Vaibhav K, Dhandapani KM, Yu JC. Inflammaging and Cannabinoids. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 72:101487. [PMID: 34662745 PMCID: PMC8662707 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a complex phenomenon associated with a wide spectrum of physical and physiological changes affecting every part of all metazoans, if they escape death prior to reaching maturity. Critical to survival, the immune system evolved as the principal component of response to injury and defense against pathogen invasions. Because how significantly immune system affects and is affected by aging, several neologisms now appear to encapsulate these reciprocal relationships, such as Immunosenescence. The central part of Immunosenescence is Inflammaging -a sustained, low-grade, sterile inflammation occurring after reaching reproductive prime. Once initiated, the impact of Inflammaging and its adverse effects determine the direction and magnitudes of further Inflammaging. In this article, we review the nature of this vicious cycle, we will propose that phytocannabinoids as immune regulators may possess the potential as effective adjunctive therapies to slow and, in certain cases, reverse the pathologic senescence to permit a more healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Baban
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, DCG Center for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Innovation (CERSI), Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Center for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Innovation, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA.
| | - Hesam Khodadadi
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, DCG Center for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Innovation (CERSI), Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Center for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Innovation, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Évila Lopes Salles
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Dental College of Georgia, DCG Center for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Innovation (CERSI), Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA; Center for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Innovation, Dental College of Georgia, Augusta, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | | | - John C Morgan
- Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence, Movement Disorders, Program, Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - David C Hess
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Kumar Vaibhav
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Krishnan M Dhandapani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Jack C Yu
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
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Stuart CE, Ko J, Alarcon Ramos GC, Modesto AE, Cho J, Petrov MS. Associations Between Cannabis Use, Abdominal Fat Phenotypes and Insulin Traits. J Clin Med Res 2020; 12:377-388. [PMID: 32587654 PMCID: PMC7295553 DOI: 10.14740/jocmr4165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background General obesity has been linked to dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system in humans. However, there is a lack of studies on the relationship between cannabis use and specific abdominal fat phenotypes. The aim was to investigate the associations between cannabis use and magnetic resonance imaging-derived fat phenotypes, as well as indices of insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Methods In this cross-sectional study, magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify subcutaneous fat volume (SFV), visceral fat volume (VFV), intra-hepatic fat deposition (IHFD), intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) and skeletal muscle fat deposition (SMFD) by two independent observers. Insulin sensitivity was determined based on HOMA-IS, Raynaud index and Matsuda index, whereas insulin secretion was determined based on HOMA-β, insulinogenic index 30’ and insulinogenic index 60’. A validated questionnaire was used to ascertain participants’ cannabis use. Linear regression models were constructed, adjusting for demographics, glycated hemoglobin, physical activity, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption. Results A total of 120 individuals were included. Cannabis use explained 9.2% of variance in IHFD, 4.4% in SMFD, 3.4% in VFV, 0.4% in SFV and 0.2% in IPFD. Regular cannabis users had significantly greater IHFD compared with never users, in both the unadjusted (P = 0.002) and all adjusted (P = 0.002; P = 0.008) analyses. The other fat phenotypes did not differ significantly between either regular or non-regular users compared with never users. Regular cannabis users had significantly greater insulin secretion (as defined by the insulinogenic index 60’) compared with never users, in both the unadjusted (P = 0.049) and all adjusted (P = 0.003; P = 0.004) analyses. Cannabis use explained 20.3% of variance in the insulinogenic index 60’, but was not significantly associated with the other indices of insulin secretion. There were no significant differences in indices of insulin sensitivity in either regular or non-regular cannabis users compared with never users. Conclusion Regular cannabis use may be a risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (but not IPFD) and may alter the neuromodulation of insulin secretion. Further investigations are now warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juyeon Ko
- School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Andre E Modesto
- School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jaelim Cho
- School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Maxim S Petrov
- School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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