Dronabinol and retinal hemodynamics in humans.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of oral cannabinoids on retinal hemodynamics assessed by video fluorescein angiography in healthy subjects.


METHODS
Interventional study.


METHODS
In a self-experiment, the cannabinoid dronabinol (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]) was administered orally to eight healthy medical doctors (7.5 mg Marinol; Unimed Pharmaceuticals, Chicago, Illinois, USA). At baseline and two hours after dronabinol intake, intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured and retinal hemodynamics were assessed by fluorescein angiography. The retinal arteriovenous passage time was determined on the basis of dye dilution curves by means of digital image analysis in a masked fashion.


RESULTS
Dronabinol resulted in a significant IOP reduction from 13.2 +/- 1.9 mm Hg to 11.8 +/- 2.0 mm Hg (P = .038). The retinal arteriovenous passage time decreased from 1.77 +/- 0.35 seconds to 1.57 +/- 0.31 seconds (P = .028). Systemic blood pressure and heart rate were not statistically significantly altered.


CONCLUSIONS
Cannabinoids, already known for their ability to reduce IOP, may result in increased retinal hemodynamics. This may be beneficial in ocular circulatory disorders, including glaucoma.
Plange
Niklas
N
Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelstrasse 30, 52057 Aachen, Germany. nplange@ukaachen.de
Arend
Kay O
KO
Kaup
Marion
M
Doehmen
Benjamin
B
Adams
Herbert
H
Hendricks
Stefan
S
Cordes
Andreas
A
Huth
Julia
J
Sponsel
William E
WE
Remky
Andreas
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001775:Blood Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000502:physiology*; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D013759:Dronabinol