A pilot study of the effects of cannabis on appetite hormones in HIV-infected adult men

Research Report
Patricia K. Riggsa, Florin Vaidaa, Steven S. Rossib, Linda S. Sorkinc, Ben Gouauxa, Igor Granta, Ronald J. Ellisa

a HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC), University of California, San Diego, USA
b Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, USA
c Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, USA

Received 28 July 2011; revised 18 October 2011; Accepted 2 November 2011. Available online 7 November 2011.

Abstract

Rationale

The endocannabinoid system is under active investigation as a pharmacological target for obesity management due to its role in appetite regulation and metabolism.

Exogenous cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) stimulate appetite and food intake.

However, there are no controlled observations directly linking THC to changes of most of the appetite hormones.

Objectives

We took the opportunity afforded by a placebo-controlled trial of smoked medicinal cannabis for HIV-associated neuropathic pain to evaluate the effects of THC on the appetite hormones ghrelin, leptin and PYY, as well as on insulin.

Methods

In this double-blind cross-over study, each subject was exposed to both active cannabis (THC) and placebo.

Results

Compared to placebo, cannabis administration was associated with significant increases in plasma levels of ghrelin and leptin, and decreases in PYY, but did not significantly influence insulin levels.

Conclusion

These findings are consistent with modulation of appetite hormones mediated through endogenous cannabinoid receptors, independent of glucose metabolism.

Keywords: THC, cannabinoid, ghrelin, leptin, Peptide YY, PYY, neuroendocrine, Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol; appetite

fuente: Brain Research
doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2011.11.001 |

Autor: Corresponding Author Contact InformationCorresponding author at: 220 Dickinson St., Suite B, San Diego, California 92103. Tel.: + 1 619 543 5079(Voice); fax: + 1 619 543 4744

Nota de la redaccion:

algunos conceptos que relacionan las hormonas del apetito con
los sentidos se describen a continuacion en un PPT en Español de http://www.slideshare.net/AnteroMD/apetito-y-obesidad-presentation

Apetito Y Obesidad

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