Stimulation of sphingomyelin hydrolysis by cannabidiol in fibroblasts from a Niemann-Pick patient.
The hydrolysis of sphingomyelin in cells derived from a Niemann-Pick patient was studied using both a labelled precursor and measurement of endogenous levels. In vitro exposure of the cells to cannabidiol resulted in a large decrease in both the relative and absolute amounts of this lipid; the drug had a smaller effect on normal fibroblasts. Cannabidiol has been tested in the clinic as an antiepileptic agent with some success; our findings suggest that it may also be useful in relieving the symptoms associated with Niemann-Pick disease.
D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D009542:Niemann-Pick Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000378:metabolism*
D002186:Cannabinoids; D013109:Sphingomyelins; D002185:Cannabidiol