Editor's Summary
7 April 2005
Cardiovascular action of THC
The immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids are well documented, and pre-clinical studies provide the rationale for their use to treat autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Atherosclerosis is now recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease of the large arteries, so it made sense to test the effects of the cannabinoid THC in a mouse atherosclerosis model. Oral administration of THC does indeed have a beneficial effect on established atherosclerosis in mice, at a surprisingly low dose, suggesting a novel use of this drug in cardiovascular diseases.
News and Views: Pharmacology: Marijuana and your heart
Marijuana smoke can have harmful effects on the heart. But one of its active components may ease inflammation and slow the progression of coronary artery disease.
Michael D. Roth
doi:10.1038/434708a
Letter: Low dose oral cannabinoid therapy reduces progression of atherosclerosis in mice
Sabine Steffens, Niels R. Veillard, Claire Arnaud, Graziano Pelli, Fabienne Burger, Christian Staub, Andreas Zimmer, Jean-Louis Frossard and François Mach
doi:10.1038/nature03389