Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa Linnaeus, have received renewed interest in recent years due to their diverse pharmacologic activities such as cell growth inhibition, anti-inflammatory effects a...Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa Linnaeus, have received renewed interest in recent years due to their diverse pharmacologic activities such as cell growth inhibition, anti-inflammatory effects and tumor regression, but their use in chemotherapy is limited by their psychotropic activity. To date, cannabinoids have been successfully used in the treatment of nausea and vomiting, two common side effects that accompany chemotherapy in cancer patients. Most non-THC plant cannabinoids e.g. cannabidiol and cannabigerol, seem to be devoid of psychotropic properties. However, the precise pathways through which these molecules produce an antitumor effect have not yet been fully characterized. We therefore investigated the antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of cannabidiol (CBD) in human prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, DU145, PC3, and assessed whether there is any advantage in using cannabis extracts enriched in cannabidiol and low in THC. Results obtained in a panel of prostate cancer cell lines clearly indicate that cannabidiol is a potent inhibitor of cancer cell growth, with significantly lower potency in non-cancer cells. The mRNA expression level of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), PSA (prostate specific antigen) are significantly higher in human prostate cell lines. Treatment with Cannabis extract containing high CBD down regulates CB1, CB2, VEGF, PSA, pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokine IL-6/IL-8. Our overall findings support the concept that cannabidiol, which lacks psychotropic activity, may possess anti-inflammatory property and down regulates both cannabinoid receptors, PSA, VEGF, IL-6 and IL-8. High CBD cannabis extracts are cytotoxic to androgen responsive LNCaP cells and may effectively inhibit spheroid formation in cancer stem cells. This activity may contribute to its anticancer and chemosensitizing effect against prostate cancer. Cannabidiol and other non-habit forming cannabinoids could be used as novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of prostate cancer.展开更多
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if statins(hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors[HMG-CoA]), angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers(ARBs) reduce...Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if statins(hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors[HMG-CoA]), angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers(ARBs) reduce cardiovascular(CV) events and pulmonary morbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) patients. Background: Few current COPD therapies alter prognosis. Although statins, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs improve outcomes in CV populations, their benefits in COPD patients both with and without concomitant heart disease has not previously been studied. Methods: A time-matched nested case-control study of two population-based retrospective cohorts was undertaken: 1) COPD patients having undergone coronary revascularization(high CV risk cohort); and 2) COPD patients without previous myocardial infarction (MI) and newly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(low CV risk cohort). Prespecified outcomes were COPD hospitalization, MI, and total mortality. Results: These drugs reduced both CV and pulmonary outcomes, with the largest benefits occurring with the combination of statins and either ACE inhibitors or ARBs. This combination was associated with a reduction in COPD hospitalization(risk ratio[RR] 0.66, 95%confidence interval[CI] 0.51 to 0.85) and total mortality(RR 0.42, 95%CI 0.33 to 0.52) not only in the high CV risk cohort but also in the low CV risk cohort(RR 0.77, 95%CI 0.67 to 0.87, and RR 0.36, 95%CI 0.28 to 0.45, respectively). The combination also reduced MI in the high CV risk cohort(RR 0.39, 95%CI 0.31 to 0.49). Benefits were similar when steroid users were included. Conclusions: These agents may have dual cardiopulmonary protective properties, thereby substantially altering prognosis of patients with COPD. These findings need confirmation in randomized clinical trials.展开更多
文摘Cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa Linnaeus, have received renewed interest in recent years due to their diverse pharmacologic activities such as cell growth inhibition, anti-inflammatory effects and tumor regression, but their use in chemotherapy is limited by their psychotropic activity. To date, cannabinoids have been successfully used in the treatment of nausea and vomiting, two common side effects that accompany chemotherapy in cancer patients. Most non-THC plant cannabinoids e.g. cannabidiol and cannabigerol, seem to be devoid of psychotropic properties. However, the precise pathways through which these molecules produce an antitumor effect have not yet been fully characterized. We therefore investigated the antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of cannabidiol (CBD) in human prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP, DU145, PC3, and assessed whether there is any advantage in using cannabis extracts enriched in cannabidiol and low in THC. Results obtained in a panel of prostate cancer cell lines clearly indicate that cannabidiol is a potent inhibitor of cancer cell growth, with significantly lower potency in non-cancer cells. The mRNA expression level of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), PSA (prostate specific antigen) are significantly higher in human prostate cell lines. Treatment with Cannabis extract containing high CBD down regulates CB1, CB2, VEGF, PSA, pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokine IL-6/IL-8. Our overall findings support the concept that cannabidiol, which lacks psychotropic activity, may possess anti-inflammatory property and down regulates both cannabinoid receptors, PSA, VEGF, IL-6 and IL-8. High CBD cannabis extracts are cytotoxic to androgen responsive LNCaP cells and may effectively inhibit spheroid formation in cancer stem cells. This activity may contribute to its anticancer and chemosensitizing effect against prostate cancer. Cannabidiol and other non-habit forming cannabinoids could be used as novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of prostate cancer.
文摘Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine if statins(hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors[HMG-CoA]), angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers(ARBs) reduce cardiovascular(CV) events and pulmonary morbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) patients. Background: Few current COPD therapies alter prognosis. Although statins, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs improve outcomes in CV populations, their benefits in COPD patients both with and without concomitant heart disease has not previously been studied. Methods: A time-matched nested case-control study of two population-based retrospective cohorts was undertaken: 1) COPD patients having undergone coronary revascularization(high CV risk cohort); and 2) COPD patients without previous myocardial infarction (MI) and newly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(low CV risk cohort). Prespecified outcomes were COPD hospitalization, MI, and total mortality. Results: These drugs reduced both CV and pulmonary outcomes, with the largest benefits occurring with the combination of statins and either ACE inhibitors or ARBs. This combination was associated with a reduction in COPD hospitalization(risk ratio[RR] 0.66, 95%confidence interval[CI] 0.51 to 0.85) and total mortality(RR 0.42, 95%CI 0.33 to 0.52) not only in the high CV risk cohort but also in the low CV risk cohort(RR 0.77, 95%CI 0.67 to 0.87, and RR 0.36, 95%CI 0.28 to 0.45, respectively). The combination also reduced MI in the high CV risk cohort(RR 0.39, 95%CI 0.31 to 0.49). Benefits were similar when steroid users were included. Conclusions: These agents may have dual cardiopulmonary protective properties, thereby substantially altering prognosis of patients with COPD. These findings need confirmation in randomized clinical trials.
