title: Immunomodulatory effects of orally administered cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Cannabinoids can modulate the function of immune cells. We here present the first human in vivo study measuring immune function in 16 MS patients treated with oral cannabinoids. A modest increase of TNF-alpha in LPS-stimulated whole blood was found during cannabis plant-extract treatment (p=0.037), with no change in other cytokines. In the subgroup of patients with high adverse event scores, we found an increase in plasma IL-12p40 (p=0.002). The results suggest pro-inflammatory disease-modifying potential of cannabinoids in MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, VU Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. J.Killestein@vumc.nl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Killestein
authors.forename: E L J
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Hoogervorst
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reif
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Blauw
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smits
authors.forename: B M J
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Uitdehaag
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nagelkerken
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Polman
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002188:Cannabis; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D002186:Cannabinoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013759:Dronabinol