Immunomodulatory effects of orally administered cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis.
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.
Killestein
J
J
Department of Neurology, VU Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. J.Killestein@vumc.nl
Hoogervorst
E L J
EL
Reif
M
M
Blauw
B
B
Smits
M
M
Uitdehaag
B M J
BM
Nagelkerken
L
L
Polman
C H
CH
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*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D002186:Cannabinoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013759:Dronabinol