title: A pilot study of the effects of cannabis on appetite hormones in HIV-infected adult men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings are consistent with modulation of appetite hormones mediated through endogenous cannabinoid receptors, independent of glucose metabolism.
authors: Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) and HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center (HNRC), University of California, San Diego, USA. roellis@ucsd.edu
authors: Patricia K
authors: PK
authors: Riggs
authors: Florin
authors: F
authors: Vaida
authors: Steven S
authors: SS
authors: Rossi
authors: Linda S
authors: LS
authors: Sorkin
authors: Ben
authors: B
authors: Gouaux
authors: Igor
authors: I
authors: Grant
authors: Ronald J
authors: RJ
authors: Ellis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D019894:Peptide YY / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D054439:Ghrelin; D006728:Hormones; D020738:Leptin; D019894:Peptide YY; D013759:Dronabinol