Muscular Dystrophy and Cannabinoid Receptors

“As the dysfunction of the endocannabinoid system becomes implicated in more diseases including migraine, irritable bowel, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, and even menstrual cramps now add muscular dystrophy as a potential area of interest for endocannabinoids. Jerry Lewis should be smiling.”

-          Dr. David Hepburn

The endocannabinoid system refers to a widespread signaling system and its alterations implicated in a growing number of human diseases. However, the potential role of endocannabinoids in skeletal muscle is ordered the main sun is known.

In murine and human models, CB1 transcripts how the highest degree of expression at disease onset, and then decline over time. Similar changes are observed for PAX7, a key regulator of muscle stem cells. Bioinformatics and biochemical analysis revealed that PAX7 binds and upregulates the CB1 gene in dystrophic more than in healthy muscles.

Rimonabant, an antagonist of CB1, promotes human satellite cell differentiation in vitro, increases the number of regenerated myofibers, and prevents locomotor impairment in dystrophic mice. In conclusion, our study uncovers a PAX7–CB1 cross-talk potentially exacerbating DMD and highlights the role of CB1 receptors as target for potential therapies.

Read full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6160489/

Dr. David Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

US Government Funds Research on CBG, CBC, CBN and terpenes - Dr. David Hepburn

“Thepowerful NIH isfunding non clinicalresearchonminorcannabinoids and severalterpenesincludingmy personal favourite, beta caryophyllene. Thegoalis to mitigatetheepidemic of chronicpainthatwillaccompanythe grey tsunami and to decreasetheloss of productivity and increasedcost ($2000 per person per year) associatedwithchronicpain.” -   Dr. David Hepburn

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects, as well as to give potential applicants sufficient time to determine whether they need to obtain investigator registration and site licensure from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) ,if appropriate. For applications that include human use of any of the compounds, this Notice provides time to determine whether an Investigational New Drug (IND) application is needed, or if the FDA will provide a written waiver indicating that an IND is not needed for the proposed research. No awards will be made to the investigators in the absence of appropriate FDA/IND documentations for proposed human subject studies.

The FOA is expected to be published in Winter 2019 with an expected application due date in March 2019.

Read full notice here:

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-AT-19-008.html

Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Cannabis Users Less Likely to Get Diabetes - Dr. David Hepburn

“A recentstudyfromCanadaindicatesthat cannabis usershave a significantlydecreasedrisk of having diabetes. Thisis no smalldiscoverygiventhat diabetes isone of thescourges of oursociety. Itwill be nothing short of fascinating to discoverhow cannabis can potentiallyprotectagainst diabetes. Staytuned.”-    Dr. David Hepburn 

A decreased likelihood of diabetes for cannabis users versus non-users was indicated after accounting for a range of potential con-founders, including mental health disorders. Before the protective effects of cannabis use for diabetes can be suggested, further epidemiological studies are needed that incorporate prospective designs, as well as feature innovative exposure measurements and statistical analyses.

Although there was a considerable attenuation in the magnitude of the odds ratios after adjustment for confounders, there was still a decreased likelihood of diabetes for cannabis users versus non-users.

Read full article here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30288813

Dr. David Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Cannabis for Crohn’s? - Dr. David Hepburn

“Cannabis isgetting more attentionfortheawfulconditions of Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. Inflammatoryboweldisease, not to be confusedwith Irritable BowelDisease (though cannabis appears to havesomeeffect in both) isnotanuncommonconditionthat can lead to drasticmeasures.”

       -  Dr. David Hepburn

Research from the University of Bath said the findings could help explain why some patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) report medical marijuana can help their symptoms.

The researchers believe that, because cannabis use introduces cannabinoids into the body, these molecules could help relieve gut inflammation as the naturally produced endocannabinoids would.

Read full article here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/cannabis-marijuana-inflammatory-bowel-disease-crohns-colitis-ibd-ibs-digestion-symptoms-a8490246.html

Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com

Vapeorsmoke? - Dr. David Hepburn

“Whichisstronger, vapingorsmoking? Doctorsneveradvocatesmokingforanyreason and prefervapingovercombustion as thesafestinhalationdeliverymechanism. Surprisingly, a new studyfromthe US indicatesthatvapingis more powerful.”

-  Dr. David Hepburn

In a smallstudy of infrequent cannabis users, researchers have shown that, compared with smoking cannabis, vaping it increased the rate of short-term anxiety, paranoia, memory loss and distractionwhen doses werethesame.

Vaping devices heat cannabis to a temperature in which the mind-altering compounds in the plant are released as a vapor that is inhaled. Vaping is thought to be safer for cannabis and tobacco use because it doesn't produce many of the harmful components of burning material such as tar and other cancer-causing agents.

Read full articlehere:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181204131115.htm

Dr. Dave Hepburn website: https://doctordavidhepburn.com