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.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / adverse effects
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / isolation & purification
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
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Administration, Oral
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Adult
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Cannabinoids / adverse effects
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Cannabinoids / isolation & purification
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Cannabinoids / pharmacology*
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Cannabis
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Confidence Intervals
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Cross-Over Studies
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Dronabinol / isolation & purification
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Dronabinol / therapeutic use*
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Multiple Sclerosis / blood
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Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
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Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
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Phytotherapy / methods
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Plant Extracts / adverse effects
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Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
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Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
Substances
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Adjuvants, Immunologic
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Cannabinoids
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Plant Extracts
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Dronabinol