humulene and Body-Weight

The endocannabinoid system affects several physiological functions. A family of endocannabinoid receptors is susceptible to cannabis constituents. Cannabis is widely used in our society and following its recent legalization in Canada, we focus on how exposure to cannabis and pharmacologic cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) inhibition affect lipoprotein levels.. Several groups have reported that exposure to cannabis does not increase weight despite the marked increase in caloric intake. In observational studies, the effect of smoked cannabis exposure on plasma lipids is variable. Some studies in specific patient populations with longer exposure to cannabis seemed to identify slightly more favorable lipoprotein profiles in the exposed group. Several larger controlled clinical trials using orally administered rimonabant, a CB1 receptor antagonist, have consistently shown relative improvements in weight and plasma levels of triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol among patients receiving the treatment.. The widely variable findings on the relationship of cannabis in various forms with plasma lipids preclude any definitive conclusions. Cannabis has complex effects on the cardiovascular system and its effects on lipid profile must be considered in this overall context. Further properly controlled research is required to better understand this topic.

Topics: Anti-Obesity Agents; Body Weight; Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Case-Control Studies; Cholesterol, HDL; Energy Intake; Gene Expression; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Rimonabant; Triglycerides

In this last century, an increase of men infertility has been registered. It has been suggested that environmental factors could a negative impact over sperm quality. Among these factors, impact of environmental toxicant has been spread by media. In this review of scientific literature, we identify several environmental factors that could impact men fertility in a negative way. These factors are tobacco, marijuana, weight, body mass index, heat, nutritional state, electromagnetic waves and altitude. For each of these factors, the impact over men fertility, their mechanism, as well their influence over the use of Assisted Reproductive Technics are reported.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alcohol Drinking; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Cannabis; Child; Electromagnetic Radiation; Environment; France; Hot Temperature; Humans; Infertility, Male; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Nicotiana; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Smoking

Pregnancy outcomes can be improved by following modern recommendations for personal health maintenance. Adequate caloric intake, reflected by a weight gain of about 10 to 12.3 kg (22 to 27 lb) for women of average build, is associated with the lowest rate of perinatal mortality. Maternal dietary protein supplementation should generally be avoided because it may be associated with low-birth-weight pregnancies. Abstinence from social drugs offers the greatest positive opportunity to modify the health of a fetus. Serious perinatal infection can be prevented by preconception immunization (rubella), food hygiene (toxoplasmosis) and attention to the expression of virus in the mother (herpes simplex). Available data do not correlate exercise programs begun before pregnancy and continued during pregnancy with adverse fetal effects. Athletic capacity need not diminish postpartum. Most employment may safely continue until delivery. Routine recommendations for prolonged maternal disability leaves are not medically warranted.

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Body Weight; Cannabis; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Energy Intake; Female; Fetal Diseases; Health Promotion; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Minerals; Nutritional Requirements; Physical Exertion; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Smoking; Vitamins; Work

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Tolerance; Humans; Hunger; Phytotherapy; Social Environment; Species Specificity; Stimulation, Chemical; Thirst

Abstinence following daily marijuana use can produce a withdrawal syndrome characterized by negative mood (eg irritability, anxiety, misery), muscle pain, chills, and decreased food intake. Two placebo-controlled, within-subject studies investigated the effects of a cannabinoid agonist, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC: Study 1), and a mood stabilizer, divalproex (Study 2), on symptoms of marijuana withdrawal. Participants (n=7/study), who were not seeking treatment for their marijuana use, reported smoking 6-10 marijuana cigarettes/day, 6-7 days/week. Study 1 was a 15-day in-patient, 5-day outpatient, 15-day in-patient design. During the in-patient phases, participants took oral THC capsules (0, 10 mg) five times/day, 1 h prior to smoking marijuana (0.00, 3.04% THC). Active and placebo marijuana were smoked on in-patient days 1-8, while only placebo marijuana was smoked on days 9-14, that is, marijuana abstinence. Placebo THC was administered each day, except during one of the abstinence phases (days 9-14), when active THC was given. Mood, psychomotor task performance, food intake, and sleep were measured. Oral THC administered during marijuana abstinence decreased ratings of 'anxious', 'miserable', 'trouble sleeping', 'chills', and marijuana craving, and reversed large decreases in food intake as compared to placebo, while producing no intoxication. Study 2 was a 58-day, outpatient/in-patient design. Participants were maintained on each divalproex dose (0, 1500 mg/day) for 29 days each. Each maintenance condition began with a 14-day outpatient phase for medication induction or clearance and continued with a 15-day in-patient phase. Divalproex decreased marijuana craving during abstinence, yet increased ratings of 'anxious', 'irritable', 'bad effect', and 'tired.' Divalproex worsened performance on psychomotor tasks, and increased food intake regardless of marijuana condition. Thus, oral THC decreased marijuana craving and withdrawal symptoms at a dose that was subjectively indistinguishable from placebo. Divalproex worsened mood and cognitive performance during marijuana abstinence. These data suggest that oral THC, but not divalproex, may be useful in the treatment of marijuana dependence.

Topics: Adult; Affect; Analysis of Variance; Anticonvulsants; Body Weight; Cannabis; Double-Blind Method; Dronabinol; Eating; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Psychomotor Performance; Psychotropic Drugs; Sleep; Smoking; Social Behavior; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Valproic Acid

Cyclophosphamide is an anticancer and immunosuppressive agent used in the treatment of various malignancies but causing gastrointestinal distress. Cannabis sativa and its derivatives have been used for the treatment of human gastrointestinal disorders. A purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of C. sativa on nausea induced by cyclophosphamide in rats. The rats were divided into four groups (eight animals per group): Group 1: Normal control (saline i.p.). Group 2: Rats received cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg i.p.) 3 consecutive days. Group 3 and 4: Rats received cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg i.p.) across Days 1-7, and C. sativa (20 and 40 mg/kg s.c.) was administered on cyclophosphamide days 4-7. We examined intake of kaolin, normal food and changes in body weight, as an indicator of the emetic stimulus. Oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes status, serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, noradrenaline and CB1R levels were evaluated in the intestinal homogenate. Moreover, histopathological study was performed. Results showed that C. sativa ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced emesis by increasing in body weight and normal diet intake with a decrease in kaolin diet intake after 7 days. Moreover, C. sativa significantly decreases (serotonin) 5-HT, dopamine and noradrenaline, as well as decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. Administration of C. sativa significantly increased the expression of CB1R in intestinal homogenate. Treatment with C. sativa also improved the histological feature of an intestinal tissue. These results suggested that C. sativa possess antiemetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in chemotherapy-induced nausea in rats by activating CB1R.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Body Weight; Cannabis; Cyclophosphamide; Dopamine; Humans; Kaolin; Nausea; Norepinephrine; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Serotonin

Data available support that ninety percent of male infertility cases are due to low sperm counts. There is a scarcity of data on the medicinal effects of cannabis on fertility. This study evaluated testicular function and sperm quality modulation with cannabis in rats.. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly grouped into five: A, B, C, and D, each group have 5 rats. A (control): 0.2 ml 2% DMSO, B (vitamin C): 90 mg/kg body weight, C, D, and E were administered: 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg body weight of ethanolic leaf extract of cannabis (ELEC) respectively. The rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last day of the 60 day oral administrations. Flavonoids were the predominant phytochemical present in the extract while quercetin, kemferol, silyman and gallic acid were identified.. The results showed a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in sperm quality and a significant increase in the concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, triglycerides, cholesterol, and total protein determination compared to the normal control. Similarly, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and superoxide dismutase compared to the normal control. RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1)-silymarin complexes (-8.30 kcal/mol) and androgen receptor (AR)-quercetin complexes (9.20 kcal/mol) had the highest affinity.. The antioxidant effects of the flavonoids in the ethanolic extract of cannabis may have protected testicular and sperm cells from oxidative damage. Biochemical processes and histopathological morphology were preserved by cannabis. The docking prediction suggests that the bioactive principle of cannabis may activate the androgenic receptors. The androgenic receptor modulation may be attributed to silymarin and quercetin.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Male; Molecular Docking Simulation; Plant Extracts; Quercetin; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Seeds; Silymarin; Spermatozoa

Topics: Body Weight; Cannabis; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Feeding Behavior; Humans

The incorporation of drugs in the hair of young children differs from that of adults and the metabolism of cannabis cannot be the same. Our primary objective was to analyze the distribution of the different cannabinoids in children's hair samples. The secondary objective was to correlate the intensity of toxic environmental exposure to cannabinoid metabolite levels.. This was a prospective, single-center, observational pilot study of a pediatric cohort. Included subjects were all children less than 6 years of age admitted to a tertiary pediatric emergency unit for proven cannabis intoxication during the reference period. A hair strand was sampled within 12h of emergency admission.. Forty-one pediatric patients were consecutively enrolled. Hair analysis showed that 34 children were positive for Δ9-THC (range 0.06-284.4ng/mg); 41 % of them were also positive for THC-COOH (range 0.26-2.76pg/mg). Depending on the Δ9-THC concentration (>1ng/mg), 39 % of the children could be considered exposed to an intensely toxic environment. The rate of THC-COOH detection steadily increased from 2015 to 2018 (18 %, 40 %, 50 %, 58 % for each consecutive year). Children intensely exposed weighed less on admission (p=0.02), had more comatose presentations (p=0.02), and more previous social issues (75 % versus 12 %, OR 22.0, p=0.0002).. Hair testing in this context indirectly shows the intensity of children's toxic environmental exposure by the cannabinoid metabolite threshold. This was very helpful during the collegial examination of the toddlers' environment and led to a full investigation and to appropriate decisions concerning social measures.

Topics: Body Weight; Cannabis; Child Protective Services; Child Welfare; Child, Preschool; Coma; Dronabinol; Emergency Service, Hospital; Environmental Exposure; Female; Hair; Hair Analysis; Humans; Infant; Male; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies

Cannabinoid production for medicinal purposes has renewed interest in utilizing byproducts of industrial hemp (IH) as a feed source for livestock. However, the presence of bioactive residues in animal tissues may pose a risk to consumers. The purpose of this study was to characterize the plasma pharmacokinetics (PK) of cannabinoids and their metabolites in cattle after a single oral exposure to IH. Eight castrated male Holstein calves received a single oral dose of 35 g of IH to achieve a target dose of 5.4 mg/kg cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). Blood samples were collected for 96 h after dosing. Plasma cannabinoid concentrations were profiled using liquid chromatography coupled with mass-spectroscopy (UPLC) and PK parameters were calculated using noncompartmental methods. The cannabinoids CBDA, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid-A (THCA-A), cannabidivarinic acid (CBDVA), and cannabichromenic acid (CBCA) were detected in all cattle after IH dosing. The geometric mean maximum concentration of CBDA of 72.7 ng/mL was observed at 14 h after administration. The geometric mean half-life of CBDA was 14.1 h. No changes in serum biochemistry analysis were observed following IH dosing compared to baseline values. These results show acidic cannabinoids, especially CBDA, are readily absorbed from the rumen and available for distribution throughout the body.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animal Feed; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Cattle; Chromatography, Liquid; Dronabinol; Limit of Detection; Male; Mass Spectrometry; Rumen

Hemp seed has been used as a traditional oriental medicine and health food in China for centuries. Polysaccharides from hemp seed (HSP) exhibit important properties of intestinal protection, but there are limited data on the specific underlying mechanism. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of HSP on intestinal oxidative damage induced by cyclophosphamide (Cy) in mice. The results showed that pretreatment with HSP significantly increased the average daily gain, thymus index, spleen index, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in serum and ileal homogenate and significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content in ileal homogenate. In addition, the expression levels of SOD, GSH-Px, Nrf2, heme oxidase-1 (HO-1), and quinoneoxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) mRNA in ileal homogenate were significantly increased. Western blot results showed that HSP significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2 protein and downregulated the expression of Keap1 protein in the ileum. Collectively, our findings indicated that HSP had protective effects on intestinal oxidative damage induced by Cy in mice, and its mechanism might be related to the activation of Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Catalase; Cyclophosphamide; Glutathione Peroxidase; Ileum; Inactivation, Metabolic; Jejunum; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; Male; Malondialdehyde; Mice, Inbred ICR; Monosaccharides; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; Organ Specificity; Oxidative Stress; Polysaccharides; Protective Agents; Seeds; Signal Transduction; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Superoxide Dismutase

Peripheral nerve injury is a common condition with a multitude of signs and symptoms. The major consequence of injury is limited physical activity. Presently, we are lacking effective therapies for PNI and it is need of the hour is to explore potential remedies for the recovery of functional loss. Here, we have investigated the role of crude Cannabis sativa L. leaf powder in promoting functions recovery, in mouse model subjected to a traumatic sciatic nerve injury. A dose of 200mg/kg of the body weight per day was administered orally from the day of nerve crush till the end of the experiment. The motor functions were evaluated by measuring sciatic functional index, muscle grip strength and muscle mass; whereas the sensory functions were assessed by hotplate test. The haematology and serum analyses were carried out to estimate the effect of treatment on the systemic index and oxidative stress. The gain of motor functions was significantly improved and was early noticed in the treated mice. Restoration of muscle mass and elevated haemoglobin level were statistically significant in the treatment group. This study indicates that Cannabis sativa L. supplementation accelerates the motor functions recovery after nerve compression injury.

Topics: Animals; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Eating; Hemoglobins; Male; Mice; Motor Activity; Oxidative Stress; Peripheral Nerve Injuries; Plant Leaves; Powders; Recovery of Function; Sciatic Nerve

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. The study applied 20 to 22 years of follow-up data on 712 Danish adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years at baseline. Self-reported height and weight, cannabis, cigarette and alcohol use, socioeconomic status (SES) and physical activity levels were assessed in baseline surveys conducted in 1983 and 1985. The follow-up survey was conducted in 2005. In total 19.1% (n = 136) of adolescents reported having used/using cannabis. Weight gain between adolescence and midlife was not related to cannabis exposure during adolescence in either crude or adjusted models, and associations were not modified by baseline alcohol intake or smoking. However, cannabis use was significantly associated with cigarette smoking (p<0.001) and alcohol intake (p<0.001) and inversely associated with physical activity levels (p = 0.04). In conclusion, this study does not provide evidence of an association between adolescence cannabis use and weight change from adolescence to midlife.

Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Alcohol Drinking; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Cannabis; Denmark; Exercise; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Marijuana Abuse; Marijuana Smoking; Medical Marijuana; Population Surveillance; Risk Factors; Self Report; Smoking; Social Class; Young Adult

Romantic relationships provide a context in which partners can influence each other's health behaviors (e.g., weight-related behaviors, substance use). Partner influence may be especially pronounced among newly parenting adolescent and young adult couples because of the desire to maintain relationships (and therefore openness to influence), and because parenting-related challenges can pose risk for uptake of unhealthy behaviors. Two understudied factors that might affect partner influence on health behaviors include relative power within the relationship and prior levels of engagement in health behaviors.. The current study explored longitudinal partner influence effects in a sample of newly parenting adolescent and young adult females and their male partners (Ncouples = 157) recruited from four obstetrics/gynecology clinics in Connecticut between July 2007 and February 2011. Five health behaviors in two domains were explored: weight-related behaviors (unhealthy eating, exercise) and substance use (cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use). Relationship power and previous levels of health behaviors were examined as moderators. Variations across gender were also examined.. Results of dyadic analysis showed partner influences for alcohol use. Partner influence depended on relationship power for eating, alcohol, and marijuana use, and on previous behavior for cigarette use. Results also varied by gender - only female-to-male influence was found for unhealthy eating and cigarette use. Higher relationship power was protective against smoking escalation for females.. These results differ from previous research findings mainly on male-to-female influences. Such asymmetries may reflect traditional female dominance in food preparation, as well as shifts in power balances postpartum. Targeting relational power dynamics may buffer the spread and escalation of unhealthy behaviors in young parents, with implications for the health of both members of a couple as well as their children.

Topics: Adolescent; Alcohol Drinking; Body Weight; Cannabis; Connecticut; Female; Health Behavior; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Parenting; Peer Influence; Postpartum Period; Power, Psychological; Pregnancy; Sex Factors; Sexual Partners; Smoking; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult

To ascertain the relationship between cannabis use, obesity, and insulin resistance.. Data on 786 Inuit adults from the Nunavik Inuit Health Survey (2004) were analyzed. Information on cannabis use was obtained from a self-completed, confidential questionnaire. Fasting blood glucose and insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) served as surrogate markers of insulin resistance. Analysis of covariance and multivariate logistic regression ascertained relationships between cannabis use and outcomes.. Cannabis use was highly prevalent in the study population (57.4%) and was statistically associated with lower body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001), lower % fat mass (P < 0.001), lower fasting insulin (P = 0.04), and lower HOMA-IR (P = 0.01), after adjusting for numerous confounding variables. Further adjustment for BMI rendered fasting insulin and HOMA-IR differences statistically nonsignificant between past-year cannabis users and nonusers. Mediation analysis showed that the effect of cannabis use on insulin resistance was indirect, through BMI. In multivariate analysis, past-year cannabis use was associated with 0.56 lower likelihood of obesity (95% confidence interval 0.37-0.84).. Cannabis use was associated with lower BMI, and such an association did not occur through the glucose metabolic process or related inflammatory markers. The association between cannabis use and insulin resistance was mediated through its influence on weight.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Blood Glucose; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Cannabis; Drug Users; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Inuit; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Obesity; Prevalence; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult

Pigs may display biting behavior directed at pen mates, resulting in body damage such as tail wounds. We assessed the suitability of jute sacks (hung vertically at wall) to reduce biting behaviors and tail wounds in rearing gilts. Additionally, we assessed several characteristics of different types of tail biters. Tail docked rearing gilts originated from 72 litters, which were kept in partly slatted pens with jute sacks (J) or barren control pens (CON; 36 litters per treatment). Tail and ear damage were observed at weaning (4 wk) and during the weaner and rearing phase (17 J and 19 CON pens). Sow (dam) damage was also considered. Biting behaviors (tail, ear, and other) were observed during the weaner and rearing phase. Weight was recorded at birth, weaning, and end of the weaner phase and ADG was calculated from birth till weaning and from weaning till 9 wk. Furthermore, estimated breeding values for litter size, litter birth weight, back fat, and growth between birth and ∼ 105 kg, and ∼ 25 to 105 kg were determined. Jute sacks reduced tail and ear damage at weaning (both P < 0.001) and tended to reduce sow tail damage (P = 0.09). Jute sacks also reduced tail damage post-weaning (P < 0.001 to 0.03), with a 5-fold reduction of (mild) tail wounds at the age of 13 wk. Biting behaviors directed at pen mates were up to 50% lower in J pens (P < 0.001 to 0.04). Higher genotypic litter size, litter birth weight, growth, and lower back fat seemed associated with higher levels of ear or tail-biting behavior (P = 0.002 to 0.09), albeit dependent on treatment and phase. Higher phenotypic litter sizes were associated with higher levels of biting behaviors (P = 0.004-0.08). High-tail-biters and Medium-tail-biters (the latter less pronounced) stemmed from larger litters (P = 0.01 to 0.05), were heavier (P = 0.03 to 0.04), grew faster (P = 0.05 to 0.08), and displayed higher levels of all kinds of biting behavior directed to pen mates and the jute sack (P < 0.001 to 0.10) compared with non-tail-biters, the effect size dependent on treatment and phase of life. To conclude, jute sacks may profoundly reduce damaging behaviors and tail wounds in rearing gilts, probably because they partly meet the behavioral need of pigs for rooting and chewing. Furthermore, (tail) biting is associated with production level of the gilts (phenotypically and genetically), which suggests a role for breeding programs and additional research focusing on metabolic demands of (tail) biting pigs.

Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animal Welfare; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Birth Weight; Bites and Stings; Body Weight; Breeding; Cannabis; Female; Housing, Animal; Litter Size; Swine; Weaning

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an organic cannabis extract on β-cell secretory function in an in vivo diet-induced obese rat model and determine the associated molecular changes within pancreatic tissue. Diet-induced obese Wistar rats and rats fed on standard pellets were subcutaneously injected with an organic cannabis extract or the vehicle over a 28-day period. The effect of diet and treatment was evaluated using the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTTs) and qPCR analysis on rat pancreata harvested upon termination of the experiment. The cafeteria diet induced an average weight difference of 32g and an overall increase in body weight in the experimental groups occurred at a significantly slower rate than the control groups, irrespective of diet. Area under the curve for glucose (AUC(g)) in the obese group was significantly lower compared to the lean group (p<0.001), with cannabis treatment significantly reducing the AUC(g) in the lean group (p<0.05), and remained unchanged in the obese group, relative to the obese control group. qPCR analysis showed that the cafeteria diet induced down-regulation of the following genes in the obese control group, relative to lean controls: UCP2, c-MYC and FLIP. Cannabis treatment in the obese group resulted in up-regulation of CB1, GLUT2, UCP2 and PKB, relative to the obese control group, while c-MYC levels were down-regulated, relative to the lean control group. Treatment did not significantly change gene expression in the lean group. These results suggest that the cannabis extract protects pancreatic islets against the negative effects of obesity.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Obesity Agents; Area Under Curve; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Cannabis; Diet; Disease Models, Animal; Down-Regulation; Gene Expression; Genes, myc; Glucose Tolerance Test; Injections, Subcutaneous; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Ion Channels; Mitochondrial Proteins; Obesity; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rats; Uncoupling Protein 2; Weight Gain

Dietary soy protein reduces renal disease progression in a number of renal diseases, suggesting that plant compared with animal proteins may be renoprotective. The inclusion of other plant protein sources could enhance compliance of intervention diets, but the effects of other plant protein sources are not known.. Weanling Han:SPRD-cy rats with experimental polycystic kidney disease were given hemp-, pea- and soy protein-based diets compared with the standard AIN 93G diet with casein as the protein source. Kidneys from diseased rats given diets which contained soy or hemp protein compared with casein-based diets were less enlarged, had lower fluid content, smaller cyst volumes, less fibrosis, lower chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) levels and normalized serum creatinine levels. Soy and hemp protein diets also normalized heart size, which was enlarged in diseased compared with normal rats consuming casein. Kidneys from diseased rats given pea protein compared with casein were more enlarged and had higher fluid content and cyst volumes, despite growing better and having lower serum creatinine and renal chemokine receptor 2 levels, and similar levels of renal fibrosis.. Not all plant proteins are equally protective in experimental kidney disease and associated cardiac hypertrophy.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Cardiomegaly; Caseins; Creatinine; Disease Models, Animal; Fibrosis; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Liver; Organ Size; Pisum sativum; Plant Proteins, Dietary; Rats; Receptors, CCR2; Soybean Proteins

This study determined the effects of maternal dietary intake of hemp seed on reproductive and neurobehavioral end points of Wistar rats. Time-mated rats were fed 100% hemp seed (n  =  15), 50% hemp seed (n  =  15) or basal diet (n  =  15) once a day. The amount of food made available was based on control feed consumption records. All dams remained on their respective diets from premating (14 days) throughout gestation and lactation. After weaning, all pups were given their maternal diet until puberty. Mating and delivery weights of dams in all groups did not show significant changes. Number of pregnancies, number and post-natal survival rate of total rat pups, litter size and milk yield were lower in the group that received 100% hemp seed. Offspring that received 50% hemp seed diet expressed reproductive and neurobehavioral end points from a modified Fox battery earlier than rats on 100% hemp seed or basal diet, except acoustic startle results where no differences appeared. In conclusion, this study shows that hemp seed supplementation does not improve the reproductive and neurobehavioral performances of rats. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should be cautious about the using of Cannabis sativa L. byproducts in their diets.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Female; Lactation; Male; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reproduction; Seeds

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic uptake of bhang, prepared from the Cannabis sativa, on male reproductive physiology in adult male Parkes strain (P) mice. An attempt was also made to investigate the presence of cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and cannabinoid 2 (CB2) receptors, and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in the testis and to evaluate any changes in it resulting from chronic intake of bhang in mice.. Adult male mice were given bhang (3 or 6 mg/kg body weight/day) orally for 36 consecutive days. Chronic intake of bhang caused regressive changes in the testes and suppressed sperm count, viability and motility. Bhang intake also caused significant decline in circulating testosterone level due to decline in testicular 3β HSD enzyme activity. An immunohistochemical study demonstrated the presence of CB1, CB2 and FAAH in the testis of mice. The present study also showed significant variation in the CB1 and CB2 receptors and FAAH protein levels in testes of mice exposed to bhang. These suppressive effects may be due to inhibitory effect of bhang on pituitary expression of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) I receptor protein. Treatment of testes with bhang in vitro significantly decreased testicular luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and FAAH expression suggesting direct action of bhang on testicular activity.. The findings of this study thus suggest that bhang may impair fertility in male mice through alteration in the testicular endocannabinoid system and that chronic bhang exposure in humans would be predicted to alter male fertility.

Topics: Aging; Alanine Transaminase; Animals; Apoptosis; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Body Weight; Cannabis; Cell Survival; Fertility; Genitalia, Male; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Mice; Organ Size; Receptors, Cell Surface; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Testis; Testosterone

Intraperitoneal injection of cannabis extract at low doses (total doses ranging from 40 mg to 60 mg per mouse) induced adverse effect on testes and oxidative stress. At low doses, there was a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in testicular lipid content, but the effects were significantly less at higher doses and at the withdrawal of cannabis treatment (recovery dose). There was a marked decrease in antioxidant enzyme profiles (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and glutathione content at low doses, but these effects were higher at higher dose and at withdrawal of the treatment (recovery effect). Histology revealed significant shrinkage of tubular diameter and detrimental changes in seminiferous epithelium of testis with resulting lowered serum testosterone and pituitary gonadotropins (follicular stimulating [FSH] and luteinizing hormones [LH]) levels at low doses. But at higher doses and particularly at withdrawal of the treatment, regression of various germ cell layers of testes through the revival of testosterone hormone and pituitary gonadotropins (FSH and LH) were observed, indicating that recovery effects on testes became operative possibly through the corrective measure of endogenous testicular antioxidant enzymes profiles and pituitary gonadotropins hormones feedback mechanisms.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Body Weight; Cannabis; Catalase; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Gonadotropins, Pituitary; Male; Malondialdehyde; Mice; Organ Size; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Superoxide Dismutase; Testis; Testosterone

Hypercholesterolemia indirectly increases the risk for myocardial infarction by enhancing the ability of platelets to aggregate. Diets enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to reduce the detrimental effects of cholesterol on platelet aggregation. This study investigated whether dietary hempseed, a rich source of PUFAs, inhibits platelet aggregation under normal and hypercholesterolemic conditions. Male New Zealand white rabbits were fed one of 6 dietary interventions: regular control diet (RG); control diet + 10% hempseed (HP); control diet + 10% partially delipidated hempseed (DHP); control diet + 0.5% cholesterol (OL); control diet + 0.5% cholesterol + 10% hempseed (OLHP); control diet + 5% coconut oil (CO). After 8 weeks, blood was collected to measure ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation and plasma levels of fatty acids, cholesterol, and triglycerides. The hempseed-fed animals (HP and OLHP) displayed elevated plasma levels of PUFAs and a prominent enhancement in 18:3n-6 (gamma-linolenic acid, GLA) levels, a unique PUFA found in hempseed. The cholesterol-supplemented groups (OL and OLHP) had significantly elevated plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, but platelet aggregation was significantly augmented only in the OL group. The addition of hempseed to this diet (OLHP) normalized aggregation. The direct addition of GLA to the OL platelet samples blocked the cholesterol-induced stimulation of platelet aggregation. The results of this study demonstrate that when hempseed is added to a cholesterol-enriched diet, cholesterol-induced platelet aggregation returns to control levels. This normalization is not due to a reduction in plasma cholesterol levels, but may be partly due to increased levels of plasma GLA.

Topics: Animals; Blood Platelets; Body Weight; Cannabis; Cholesterol Esters; Cholesterol, Dietary; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Hypercholesterolemia; Male; Platelet Aggregation; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Rabbits; Seeds; Triglycerides

In two separate studies marihuana and alcohol were administered, either separately or in combination, to pregnant mice or rats. Control animals were given vehicle only or were nontreated. Marihuana-, alcohol-, and vehicle-treated animals were pair-fed and pair watered with animals given marihuana plus alcohol, to control for drug-related undernutrition. The combination of marihuana and alcohol caused a 100% fetomortality in mice and a 73% fetomortality in rats, whereas neither marihuana nor alcohol alone had any effects on fetomortality that differed significantly from vehicle treatment. These studies suggest a potential danger to pregnancy resulting from the combined use of two commonly used drugs that is far greater than that associated with use of either drug alone.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Drug Interactions; Ethanol; Female; Fetal Death; Fetal Resorption; Mice; Pregnancy

To examine the relationship of maternal alcohol consumption, caffeine use, and smoking to infant size at 8 months of age, a follow-up cohort of 453 infants was examined at birth and again at their 8-month birthday. Even after adjustment for other relevant variables, maternal alcohol use during early pregnancy (average ounces of absolute alcohol by self-report) was significantly related to infant weight and length at 8 months of age but not as strongly related to head circumference. Maternal smoking and caffeine use during pregnancy were not significantly related to infant size at 8 months, although nicotine use had been highly related to the birth size in this sample. Maternal use of marijuana was significantly and negatively related to infant length at 8 months of age, but not to weight or head circumference. The magnitude of the growth retardation is smaller at 8 months than at birth in this sample of infants whose mothers are primarily white, married, and well-educated, and who report a variety of alcohol use patterns. Significance was tested using multiple regression analyses that adjusted for the effects of nicotine use, caffeine use, birth order, maternal height, and gestational age as well as sex and age of infant at examination.

Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Body Weight; Caffeine; Cannabis; Female; Head; Humans; Infant; Male; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Nicotine; Pregnancy; Smoking

Chronic oral treatment of young adult male Fischer rats with delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 1, 5 and 25 mg/kg/day, or crude marihuana extract (CME), 3, 15 and 75 mg/kg/day, suppresses growth of accessory sex organs and body weight gain in a dose-related manner. Animals pair fed with the THC (25 mg/kg) group gained slightly more in body weight than the THC group, but their relative accessory sex organ weights were intermediate between THC and ad libitum-fed control group weights. These latter differences may be due to altered serum androgen levels since these levels 2-6 h after last treatment were 0.15, 0.77 and 3.33 ng/ml for THC, pair-fed and ad libitum-fed groups, respectively. 24 h after the last treatment all groups were within normal levels. Thus, chronic cannabinoid treatment suppresses accessory sex organ weights and serum androgen levels greater than the suppression caused by reduced food intake alone.

Topics: Androgens; Animals; Appetite; Body Weight; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Endocrine Glands; Genitalia, Male; Male; Organ Size; Rats; Time Factors

Chronic oral administration of cannabis extract to rats (daily delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol dose 20 mg/kg) was examined in three experiments for its residual effect on radial-arm maze learning following a 1-month drug-free period. Learning a simple eight-arm maze was significantly impaired in rats treated for either 6 months (Experiment I) or 3 months (Experiment II) with the drug. In Experiment III, animals that received the extract for 3 months exhibited significant learning deficits on a much more difficult 12-arm radial maze. The results demonstrate that the deleterious effects of cannabis on radial-arm maze learning are probably due to a tendency toward increased vigilance and perseveration, possibly combined with an impaired utilization of spatial cues.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Food Deprivation; Humans; Intubation, Gastrointestinal; Learning Disabilities; Male; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

Pregnant rats were intubated with marihuana extract (20, 200 mg/kg) throughout gestation. Control animals were intubated with vehicle (olive oil). Control animals and animals treated with the lower dose of drug were pair-fed and pair-watered to animals treated with the high dose. At parturition, pups were counted, weighed, culled, and assigned to nondrug-treated dams. Marihuana reduced food and water consumption and maternal weight gain. Pup weight at birth was reduced and neonatal mortality was increased in offspring exposed during the third week of gestation or throughout gestation. Litter size, postnatal mortality and weight at weaning were not significantly affected.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Drinking; Eating; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Gestational Age; Pregnancy; Rats; Time Factors

Adult mice were treated from parturition to weaning of their first litter with a hashish extract containing 40% delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC), 45% cannabidiol, 9% cannabinol, and 6% other cannabinoids. Oral administrations of 20 mg delta 9-THC/kg three times a week decreased the weight gain of pups from days 3-6 and 6-10 significantly, resulting in about 15% lower body weights on days 6 and 10 compared with control sucklings. Other parameters of development such as the general appearance of the pups were little affected, except for a slight tendency by day 13, when some additional control pups already had both eyes open. The effects of hashish in sucklings might be caused by drug intake with mother's milk, as well as by a decreased lactation of drugged dams. In addition, our pup retrieving tests at the day 3, 1.5-2 h after the second application of hashish extract, showed a decrease in the mother's locomotive and nonsocial activities and pointed to at least transient impairment of the maternal behavior. By day 10, after the fifth administration of hashish extract, a partial tolerance occurred, with normal care for the young, but still decreased nonsocial activities of the drugged dams. Thus our experiments showed distinct effects of cannabis on mice litters when the parents were drugged postnatally during the period of lactation only.

Topics: Aggression; Animal Population Groups; Animals; Animals, Suckling; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Cannabis; Female; Growth; Humans; Male; Mice; Social Behavior; Sucking Behavior

Pregnant rats were intubated with marihuana extract (10, 150 mg/kg) from gestation day 3 to parturition. Control animals were pair-fed. At parturition pups were culled and assigned to nondrug-treated dams. A positive control group consisting of animals prenatally exposed to alcohol (6 g/kg/day) was included for comparison of birth weight data. Marihuana reduced food and water consumption and maternal weight gain. Pup weight at birth was reduced by about 10% relative to pair-fed controls in animals exposed to the high doses of marihuana, and by approximately 15% in pups exposed to alcohol relative to their pair-fed controls. Litter size and pup mortality at birth were not affected significantly. Postnatal mortality was increased and neonatal weight was decreased at 21 days in marihuana-treated offspring. At 11 weeks of age body weights of drug-treated females but not males, were still significantly less than that of pair-fed controls.

Topics: Animals; Birth Weight; Body Weight; Cannabis; Drinking; Eating; Ethanol; Female; Fertility; Growth; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Rats

Male and female rats were exposed to marijuana smoke that was generated from nonfiltered marijuana research cigarettes three times each day for 31 +/- 1 consecutive days. Morphometric analyses of the tracheal epithelium were made for the volume density of secretory cells in the trachal epithelium, volume density of glycoprotein in the secretory cells, and number of secretory cells per unit length of the tracheal epithelium. Glycol methacrylate sections of the trachea stained with a combined Alcian Blue and periodic acid-Schiff technique and hematoxylin permitted analysis of not only stained secretory cells and their glycoprotein composition but also unstained secretory cells, providing a complete profile of the total secretory cell population in the tracheal epithelium. Exposure to marijuana smoke resulted in an increase in the volume density of glycoprotein in the secretory cells in association with an increase in the number of stained secretory cells per unit length of epithelium and a shift in the secretory cell mucin production from periodic acid-Schiff-positive to the production of mixtures of periodic acid-Schiff-positive and Alcian Blue-positive glycoproteins. Exposure to marijuana smoke, however, decreased the volume density of total secretory cells and the number of unstained secretory cells. It appears that the increased number of stained secretory cells in marijuana smoke-exposed rats was the result of a conversion from unstained to stained secretory cells. Female rats demonstrated larger relative increases than male rats in the total glycoprotein in secretory cells, in the number of stained secretory cells, and a larger shift in glycoprotein composition after exposure to smoke.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Cell Count; Epithelium; Female; Glycoproteins; Male; Organ Size; Rats; Trachea

Topics: Animal Population Groups; Animals; Animals, Suckling; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Cannabis; Diet; Eating; Female; Lactation; Mice; Pregnancy; Skin

Eighteen adult chacma baboons were fed Cannabis sativa, the plant material being incorporated into their food. They were divided into three equal groups. Group 1 animals were fed on 2% cannabis in food for 4 months, after which 2 animals remained on 2%, 2 were given 4% and 2 6% cannabis in food for the next 4 months. They became mildy apathetic. Five gained weight. Serum glucose, potassium and CO2 values decreased. Neuropathological examination of their brains did not show any significant abnormality. Group 2 animals were fed 10% cannabis for several weeks. They ate less and lost weight, and later became very apathetic. Right temporal biopsies were done in all and in 3 the tissue was analysed for glutamine, glutamate, tryptophan, ammonia and cyclic AMP. No significant change was found. Serum glucose and CO2 levels rose and potassium levels fell. Blood cholesterol values decreased in 3 of the 9 males. Group 3 animals were fed 6% cannabis for 2--4 months. Radio-immunoassay of sera and urine showed the presence of cannabinoids. They became apathetic, and 5 lost weight. Serum glucose and potassium levels (measured in the males) decreased. No neuropathological lesions were found in the brains, apart from an incidental leptomeningitis in 1 animal which died suddenly. The question of cannabis encephalopathy is discussed.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Brain; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Female; Haplorhini; Male; Papio; Radioimmunoassay

Male rats were exposed for 30 consecutive days to whole smoke from either marijuana or tobacco cigarettes. At the end of this period, anesthetized animals from the two smoke-exposed groups together with their age-matched, nonexposed controls underwent bronchopulmonary lavage, and the free lung cells obtained were fixed and collected for light and electron microscopy. Measurements made on 1-micrometer. sections indicated slight, but statistically nonsignificant, shifts in the frequency distributions of alveolar macrophage profile diameters after both exposure regimens. Stereologic techniques were used to study the subcellular morphology of alveolar macrophages from the three groups of animals. Statistically significant changes were found in cells from tobacco-exposed animals in the volume densities of mitochondria, lipid inclusions, lysosomes, remaining cytoplasm, and the surface to volume ratio of the cell. In contrast, only two parameters in the cells from marijuana-exposed animals were found to have changed significantly, with a 3-fold increase in the volume density of lipid inclusions and a slight reduction in the volume density of the remaining cytoplasm. Possible reasons for the differences in the response of the cells in the two smoke-exposed groups are discussed.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Inclusion Bodies; Lipids; Macrophages; Male; Nicotiana; Plants, Toxic; Rats; Smoke

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Benzopyrans; Body Weight; Cannabidiol; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Female; Male; Mexico; Rats; Sex Factors; Testis; Turkey

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Body Weight; Cannabinoids; Cannabis; Female; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Rats

The study investigates EEG characteristics in relation to psychopathology. Tetrahydro-Cannabinol (THC) was taken orally by 12 volunteers. The EEG was recorded continuously, and THC-induced psychopathology was assessed by pre- and post-experiment questionnaires. Subjects had to signal THC experiences. EEG measurements (distribution means of frequency bands derived from EEG frequency analysis) before and after THC were correlated with THC induced psychopathology. High correlations were found before THC ingestion, and after THC during periods without experiences. Thus, the pre-drug EEG indicates predisposition to THC induced body image disturbances and euphoria, and the drug-influenced EEG in periods without experiences indicates the tendency to drug-induced experiences. The predicting EEG parameters were different for THC induced visual experiences and for body image disturbances.

Topics: Adult; Body Image; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Electroencephalography; Euphoria; Female; Hallucinogens; Humans; Male; Mental Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires

Topics: Air; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Male; Mice; Motor Activity; Placebos; Smoking; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Male; Mice; Motor Activity; Smoke; Time Factors

Body weight and caloric intake were measured in a group of heavy and casual marihuana users prior to, during and following 21 days of marihuana smoking under research ward conditions. A group of control subjects were studied under identical conditions, but they did not smoke marihuana. Both heavy and casual marihuana users had a significant increase in caloric intake and gained weight during the marihuana smoking period. Heavy and casual users gained an average of 3.7 and 2.8 lbs respectively during the first 5 days of marihuana smoking. In contrast, control subjects gained only a small amount of weight (0.2 lbs) during the same time interval. Water retention did not appear to be a major factor in weight gain by the marihuana users. These findings are in agreement with both anecdotal reports and previous experimental data that marihuana use is associated with increased caloric intake and weight gain.

Topics: Body Weight; Cannabis; Eating; Humans; Male

The measures of body weight and food intake in marijuana or tobacco smoking dogs and a non-smoking control group show no significant change after 27 months of inhalation; except a slowing of weight gain during 9 months, in spite of increased food consumption at 3 months. During this period, the tobacco smokers ate much less and at the 9 th month only a significant slowing in weight gain was noted. At the end of the experiment, the organ weight/total weight ratio of these 3 groupes of dogs presented no significant difference.

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Cannabis; Diarrhea; Dogs; Eating; Female; Nausea; Organ Size; Smoking; Time Factors

Tritiated delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol was administered orally to female rats throughout pregnancy at a dose level of 2 mg/kg/day. Chemical analysis of rat pup tissues indicated an average drug level near 20 ng/gm was attained via placental transfer. Although there was no teratogenicity, the pups showed both transient and relatively permanent behavioral effects. A deficit in acquisition of a passive avoidance response at 21 days of age was observed. This effect was not apparent during retraining and testing at 90 days of age. Rats whose dams had received the drug forced control animals to back out of a push tube in 67% of the tests at 21 days of age and 94% of the tests at 90 days of age.

Topics: Aggression; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Avoidance Learning; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Female; Humans; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Placenta; Pregnancy; Rats; Teratogens

More than 70 male chronic marihuana users were studied under research ward conditions for a 31-day period consisting of 5 days of baseline assessment, 21 days of marihuana availability, and 5 days of postsmoking assessment. Biological findings were for the most part within normal limits. Blood chemistry studies showed no abnormalities. Plasma testosterone levels for all subjects at all times during the study were well within normal limits, suggesting that previous reports of testosterone suppression by marihuana may have statistical but not biologic singificance. A significant reduction in baseline vital capacity was observed in six subjects, a compromise in pulmonary function similar to that characteristically produced by chronic inhalation of substances, such as tobacco smoke, which are irritants to the lung. Increased caloric intake and weight gain occurred in virtually all subjects and were causally related to marihuana smoking. The weight gain may be attributable to water retention as well as increased caloric intake. Behavioral findings indicated that no uniform alteration in mood is produced by marihuana smoking--all subjects reported becoming "high", but experienced no consistent degree of euphoria. Mood changes which occurred were relatively mild and were largely dependent on group determinants rather than individual experience. No relationship could be established between marihuana use and motivation to work or engage in socially desirable activities. Evidence that pulmonary function may be compromised as a function of marihuana smoking suggests the need for alerting individuals to this potential health hazard. As was true of cigarette smoking, the eventual public health consequences of marihuana use may become apparent only after large numbers of individuals have smoked marihuana for two or three decades.

Topics: Adult; Body Weight; Cannabis; Energy Intake; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Motivation; Social Behavior; Substance-Related Disorders; Testosterone; Vital Capacity

Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or ethanol were administered into the yolk sac of chicken eggs at various times of incubation. Repetitive injections of 1 or 2 mg THC and/or 10 mul of alcohol were fiven. With a schedule of injections on days 2, 4, 7, and 9 with sacrifice on day 11, or on days 2, 4, 7, 9, and 11 with sacrifice on day 15, the body weight was reduced and the liver weight increased. The latter schedule also decreased the weight of the forebrain. Injections of labeled leucine and uridine were also given 1 hr before sacrifice to determine the rate of incorporation of these precursors into protein and RNA. Apparent changes were found in the specific activities of protein and RNA in different parts of the brain and liver. No overall metabolic trends emerged, however. No teratogenic effects were visible with the dosage schedules used.

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Chick Embryo; DNA; Dronabinol; Ethanol; Leucine; Organ Size; Proteins; RNA; Uridine

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Age Factors; Animals; Body Weight; Brain; Cannabis; Corticosterone; Dopamine; Dronabinol; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Growth Hormone; Injections, Intraventricular; Luteinizing Hormone; Male; Norepinephrine; Organ Size; Pituitary Gland; Prolactin; Prostate; Rats; Serotonin; Testis

Delta9- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was administered subcutaneously to female New Zealand white strain rabbits for 13 days. The animals were randomly divided into six groups of five animals each of which consisted of untreated controls, vehicle (undiluted propylene glycol)-treated, and THC treatment at dose levels of 100, 30, 10, and 3 mg/kg/day. All animals survived for the duration of the study. The THC-treated rabbits did not gain significant body weight which seems to be due to a decreased food consumption. There were some variations in various hematologic values, but they all were within the normal range for our laboratory. Blood chemistry evaluations showed decreased serum levels of potassium, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio and an increase in cholesterol levels of all treated animals. A significant increase in billirubin values was noted in the animsls of the 3- and 10-mg/kg groups. The injection site in the skin of the THC-treated rabbits showed signs of local irritation (erythema and subcutaneous abscesses). There was a reduction in absolute and percent of body weight of the liver and absolute weight of the lungs of the treated animals. However, no histopathologic alterations were observed. It may be concluded that THC treatment subcutaneously for 13 days in rabbits up to a dose level of 100 mg/kg/day did not produce any significant toxicity, except anorexia and some local dermal irritation.

Topics: Animals; Blood Chemical Analysis; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Feeding Behavior; Female; Organ Size; Rabbits; Time Factors

A study was undertaken to ascertain the effects of delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on the plaque forming cell response of mice immunized with sheep erythrocytes. It was found that a marked suppression of plaque forming cells occurred concomitant with a general loss of spleen cellularity following administration of delta-9-THC. These results suggest rather marked effects of this drug on antibody synthesis.

Topics: Animals; Antibody Formation; Blood Cell Count; Body Temperature; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Erythrocytes; Female; Hemolytic Plaque Technique; Leukocyte Count; Mice; Organ Size; Sheep; Spleen

Measurements of peak expiratory flow (P.E.F.) were done on 195 boys arriving at a detention centre, and again eight weeks later at the time of their discharge. During this time they took much physical exercise, and cigarette smoking and drug taking were not permitted. At the initial assessment there was an impairment of P.E.F. inversely proportional to the amount of cigarettes smoked which was statistically significant. There was a significant improvement in P.E.F. between reception and discharge in all groups of boys with varying smoking habits, all groups except the heavy smokers achieving near normal results after eight weeks. The heavier smokers improved more than the non-smokers or light smokers, but this difference was not statistically significant. Suggested reasons for this improvement are discussed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Body Height; Body Weight; Cannabis; Humans; Male; Physical Education and Training; Prisons; Pulmonary Ventilation; Smoking; Spirometry

Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was dissolved in propylene glycol and 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg administereed dialy sc to pregnant Charles River Sprague-Dawley rats on days 6-15 of gestation (presence of sperm considered day 1). Maternal weight gain was depressed, but a significant decrease in fetal weight occurred only in the 50 mg/kg group. No malformations were noted, only some abnormalities consisting of several instances of rudimentary 14th rib and soft or spongy spinal cords.

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Female; Gestational Age; Pregnancy; Rats; Ribs; Spinal Cord; Teratogens

Pregnant CD1 mice received 5, 15, 50, 150 mg/kg/day of delta9-THC in sesame oil on days 6-15 of gestation orally by gavage and were killed about one day before expected delivery. Treatment had no effect on the maternal weight gain, prenatal mortality rate, fetal weight, and the frequency of gross external, internal, and skeletal abnormalities.

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Female; Fetal Death; Fetus; Gestational Age; Growth; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Pregnancy

Four cigarettes of marijuana or tobacco in the form of smoke inhaled into the trachea were administered to dogs daily over a period of nine months. Marijuana caused a slowing of body weight gain. Food consumption increased at first and was accompanied by diarrhea; then it decreased. This suggests a malabsorption of food or a more fundamental metabolic disturbance. The tobacco smoking group consumed much less food without showing any significant change in body weight gain in 3 and 6 months, but it did in 9 months only. In marijuana smoking dog, blood pressure remained unchanged. The resting heart rate was increased (by 32% at 3, 30% at 6, and 15% at 9 months). Alpha1-globulin, eosinophils and lymphocyte count were significantly decreased. A decrease in serum triglycerides was noted. In addition, a behavioral study permitted us to note a general perturbation in the behaviour of the marijuana smoking dogs. The dogs showed impairment of learning, probably due to these behavioral perturbations.

Topics: Animals; Appetite; Behavior, Animal; Blood Cell Count; Blood Pressure; Blood Proteins; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dogs; Electrocardiography; Female; Heart Rate; Learning; Smoking

The guinea-pigs were divided into three groups: (1) absolute control, (2) solvent control (tween 4%), and (3) delta9-THC group (3 mg/kg). The selected dose of delta9-THC corresponds to the minim amount producing physiological effects in acute administration and was given for six months at the rate of five injections/week. The results showed that THC produced no changes on these parameters: serum glucose, urea nitrogen, total proteins, Mg, Ca, Na, and K. However, the fatty acids and alpha1 globulin were significantly decreased. There was a significant increase in gamma globulin. The body weight gain of delta9-THC treated animals was lower than of the two controls. Delta9-THC decreased the relative weight of liver and spleen; however, it did not significantly affect the relative weight of heart, adrenals, and kidneys. Similarly, the morphological examinations showed no alteration in these tissues, except in the liver tissue, where a perturbation of the autodigestion of glycogen was noted. These observations suggest that the toxic effect of the drug is caused by its accumulation in the liver, which provokes an inhibition of certain liver enzymatic systems.

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Animals; Blood Glucose; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Electrolytes; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Guinea Pigs; Heart; Kidney; Liver; Liver Glycogen; Male; Organ Size; Serum Albumin; Serum Globulins; Spleen

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Cleft Palate; Dronabinol; Female; Fetal Death; Fetal Resorption; Fetus; Gestational Age; Growth; Male; Mice; Pregnancy; Teratogens

Experiment 1. The acute effects of delta9-THC (1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 mg/kg) and delta8-THC (1.25, 2.50, 5.00, and 10.00 mg/kg) was an approximately equipotent, dose related depression of water intake in water-deprived rats. Animals given hashish, inhaled as smoke, showed a depression of water consumption comparable to rats given the highest dose of either of the synthetic THCs. Water intake after chevril smoke was similar to that seen after vehicle injections. Experiment 2. A dose related depression of water-and-food intake, and reduction of body weight with a gradual recovery was found in rats, maintained on a Limited Time of drinking schedule (LT, 2 hr) and subchronically (21 days) treated with delta9-THC (1.25, 2.50, or 5.00 mg/kg). From the 22nd day all animals were given the vehicle only for 10 days. There were no indications of withdrawal effects due to the drug termination. Reinstating the drug after the 10 day drug free period suggested an increased sensitivity to THC as compared to the 21st injection. Experiment 3. In non-deprived rats delta9-THC caused similar effect as in Exp. 2, although to less extent. From both experiments it is concluded that there is an inhibition or even loss of body weight and that food intake seems more severely depressed than water intake. The temperature recordings suggest that the predominant consequence of lower, behaviorally, effective doses of THC on rectal temperature of rats is hyperthermia rather than hypothermia. Initially this effect was most pronounced for the lowest dose (1.25 mg/kg) but with repeated injections the two higher doses (2.50 and 5.00 mg/kg) showed hyperthermia to the same extent as the lowest dose. Hypothermia was seen after a high dose of delta8-THC (20.00 mg/kg) but after 3 daily injections this effect was gone.

Topics: Animals; Body Temperature; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drinking Behavior; Dronabinol; Feeding Behavior; Male; Rats; Time Factors

The effects of feeding cannabis at a level of 0.4% in the diet has been studied by an ethological analysis of encounters between male mice. Administration of cannabis to dominant males resulted in a reduction of non-social activity and an increase in flight and in social and sexual investigation when compared with untreated controls, but the behaviour of subordinate males was not significantly altered by cannabis. One week after withdrawal of cannabis, the behaviour of diminant males showed a rebound effect with increase in aggression. Nevertheless, by a preference feeding test it was demonstrated that the treated mice were not dependent on the cannabis-containing diet but consumed the control diet in preference.

Topics: Aggression; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dominance-Subordination; Escape Reaction; Ethology; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Social Behavior; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome

Topics: Analgesia; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Cannabis; Catalepsy; Dealkylation; Dronabinol; Drug Interactions; Humans; Mice; Morphine; Morphine Dependence; Naloxone; Rats; Time Factors

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Animals; Barbiturates; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Brain; Cannabis; Drinking Behavior; Drug Hypersensitivity; Extinction, Psychological; Female; Heart; Humans; Kidney; Organ Size; Pentylenetetrazole; Plant Extracts; Rats; Seizures; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Time Factors

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Circadian Rhythm; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drinking; Dronabinol; Eating; Food Deprivation; Male; Rats; Stimulation, Chemical; Water Deprivation

Topics: Animals; Appetite; Appetite Depressants; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dextroamphetamine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Dronabinol; Eating; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Rats; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Drug Interactions; Drug Tolerance; Ethanol; Humans; Male; Mice; Pentylenetetrazole; Seizures; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Water Deprivation

Topics: Animals; Blood; Blood Cell Count; Body Weight; Cannabis; Cardiovascular System; Dogs; Electrocardiography; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Growth; Humans; Lymphopenia; Malabsorption Syndromes; Nicotiana; Plants, Toxic; Smoking

Topics: Age Factors; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Brain; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Drug Tolerance; Male; Organ Size; Rats; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Body Weight; Brain Chemistry; Calcium; Cannabis; Chickens; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Dronabinol; Female; Male; Potassium; Sodium

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Dronabinol; Female; Male; Pan troglodytes; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Sexual Behavior, Animal

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Body Temperature; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dogs; Dronabinol; Female; Haplorhini; Macaca; Male; Mydriatics; Phytotherapy; Poisoning; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Respiration; Salivation; Species Specificity; Time Factors

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Blood Pressure; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Dronabinol; Drug Tolerance; Hypertension; Rats

Topics: Animals; Barbiturates; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Drug Interactions; Drug Synergism; Hexobarbital; Male; Rats; Sleep; Time Factors; Zoxazolamine

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Brain; Brain Stem; Cannabis; Cerebellum; Cerebral Cortex; Columbidae; Dronabinol; Drug Tolerance; Liver; Lung; Male; Mesencephalon; Reinforcement Schedule; Surface-Active Agents; Tritium

Topics: Aminopyrine; Aniline Compounds; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Carbon Isotopes; DDT; Dronabinol; In Vitro Techniques; Intestinal Absorption; Kinetics; Liver; Microsomes, Liver; Organ Size; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidoreductases; Rats; Tritium

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Genitalia, Male; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Kidney; Liver; Male; Organ Size; Prostate; Rats; Seminal Vesicles; Testis; Testosterone; Thymus Gland; Tritium

Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Cannabis; Depression, Chemical; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drinking Behavior; Dronabinol; Feeding Behavior; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Rats; Time Factors; Vocalization, Animal; Water; Water Deprivation

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Administration, Oral; Aggression; Animals; Body Temperature; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drinking Behavior; Dronabinol; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Male; Motor Activity; Organ Size; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Poisoning; Rats; Respiration; Time Factors

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Cerebral Cortex; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Tolerance; Electroencephalography; Female; Phytotherapy; Rats; Sleep; Wakefulness

1. In anaesthetized rats, intravenous administration of cannabis extract (10 mg/kg), Delta(1)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (0.5 mg/kg) and Delta(6)-THC (0.5 mg/kg) caused a reduction in systemic blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate.2. Neither cannabinol (1 mg/kg, i.v.) nor cannabidiol (1 mg/kg, i.v.) had any observed effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the rat.3. Pretreatment of rats with atropine (1 mg/kg, i.v.) reduced the hypotension and bradycardia caused by Delta(1)-THC or the extract.4. In anaesthetized cats with autoperfused hindquarters, cannabis extract (10 mg/kg, i.v.) and Delta(1)-THC (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.) caused hypotension, bradycardia, depression of respiratory rate and reduction of hindlimb perfusion pressure.5. Both cannabis extract and Delta(1)-THC potentiated reflex vasodilation and direct vasoconstriction in the hindlimb induced by intravenous noradrenaline in the cat; they reduced reflex hindlimb vasoconstriction elicited by histamine, acetylcholine or bilateral carotid occlusion.6. Tolerance to these cardiovascular and respiratory effects of cannabis extract developed in rats which had been treated i.p. with the extract at (50 mg/kg) per day for 14 days.

Topics: Animals; Atropine; Blood Pressure; Blood Vessels; Body Weight; Cannabis; Cardiovascular System; Cats; Depression, Chemical; Dronabinol; Drug Synergism; Drug Tolerance; Feeding Behavior; Female; Heart Rate; Hindlimb; Male; Norepinephrine; Perfusion; Rats; Reflex; Respiration

Topics: Animals; Body Temperature; Body Weight; Brain; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Drug Interactions; Feeding Behavior; Female; Hexobarbital; Rats; Sleep; Stereoisomerism; Time Factors

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Amniotic Fluid; Animals; Body Weight; Brain Chemistry; Cannabis; Carbon Isotopes; Dronabinol; Feces; Female; Fetal Death; Fetus; Kidney; Liver; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Muscles; Pregnancy; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Ataxia; Behavior, Animal; Body Weight; Cannabis; Depression; Diarrhea; Dronabinol; Humans; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Lacrimal Apparatus; Liver; Lung; Male; Organ Size; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Time Factors

Body weight, food and water intake, and feces weight of 20 albino rats were recorded daily for 70 days. On days 11 to 40, 12 rats received behaviorally effective doses of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, either orally or intraperitoneally. These rats ate significantly less than placebo-dosed controls during the treatment period, and gained significantly less weight. Food intake recovered in the 30-day posttreatment period, but the former drug group still weighed less than the controls on day 70. In addition, all rats who had received intraperitoneal injections of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol showed evidence of chronic diffuse nonsuppurative peritonitis.

Topics: Animals; Appetite; Body Weight; Cannabis; Depression, Chemical; Dronabinol; Growth; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Peritonitis; Placebos; Rats; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Blood Pressure; Body Weight; Cannabis; Dronabinol; Kidney; Liver; Male; Motor Activity; Rats

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Adrenal Glands; Animals; Birth Weight; Body Weight; Cannabis; Chromatography, Gas; Dronabinol; Female; Fetus; Heart; Lactation; Liver; Organ Size; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Thyroid Gland; Time Factors

Topics: Age Factors; Aggression; Animals; Body Weight; Cannabis; Conditioning, Operant; Female; Humans; Male; Phytotherapy; Rats; Sex Factors; Starvation; Time Factors