Immunomodulatory effects of orally administered cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 2003 Apr;137(1-2):140-3. doi: 10.1016/s0165-5728(03)00045-6.

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

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / adverse effects
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / isolation & purification
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Cannabinoids / adverse effects
  • Cannabinoids / isolation & purification
  • Cannabinoids / pharmacology*
  • Cannabis
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dronabinol / isolation & purification
  • Dronabinol / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / blood
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Phytotherapy / methods
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Cannabinoids
  • Plant Extracts
  • Dronabinol