As marijuana continues to gain legal status in some U.S. states, and possible decriminalization here in Jamaica and from which we have already developed other products for glaucoma and so forth evidence is emerging that it may be able to help in the fight against HIV -- but legal restrictions are making it difficult for scientists to find out for certain.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in marijuana, could help prevent HIV from spreading throughout the body, according to a recent study.
Modulation of Gut-Specific Mechanisms by Chronic Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Administration in Male Rhesus Macaques Infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus: A Systems Biology Analysis
To cite this article:
MolinaPatricia E., AmedeeAngela M., LeCapitaineNicole J., ZabaletaJovanny, MohanMahesh, WinsauerPeter J., Vande StouweCurtis, McGoeyRobin R., AutenMatthew W., LaMotteLynn, ChandraLawrance C., and BirkeLeslie L.. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses. -Not available-, ahead of print. doi:10.1089/aid.2013.0182.
ABSTRACT
Our studies have demonstrated that chronic Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration results in a generalized attenuation of viral load and tissue inflammation in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected male rhesus macaques. Gut-associated lymphoid tissue is an important site for HIV replication and inflammation that can impact disease progression. We used a systems approach to examine the duodenal immune environment in 4- to 6-year-old male rhesus monkeys inoculated intravenously with SIVMAC251 after 17 months of chronic THC administration (0.18–0.32 mg/kg, intramuscularly, twice daily).
Duodenal tissue samples excised from chronic THC- (N=4) and vehicle (VEH)-treated (N=4) subjects at 
5 months postinoculation showed lower viral load, increased duodenal integrin beta 7+(β7) CD4+ and CD8+ central memory T cells, and a significant preferential increase in Th2 cytokine expression. Gene array analysis identified six genes that were differentially expressed in intestinal samples of the THC/SIV animals when compared to those differentially expressed between VEH/SIV and uninfected controls. These genes were identified as having significant participation in (1) apoptosis, (2) cell survival, proliferation, and morphogenesis, and (3) energy and substrate metabolic processes.
5 months postinoculation showed lower viral load, increased duodenal integrin beta 7+(β7) CD4+ and CD8+ central memory T cells, and a significant preferential increase in Th2 cytokine expression. Gene array analysis identified six genes that were differentially expressed in intestinal samples of the THC/SIV animals when compared to those differentially expressed between VEH/SIV and uninfected controls. These genes were identified as having significant participation in (1) apoptosis, (2) cell survival, proliferation, and morphogenesis, and (3) energy and substrate metabolic processes.
Additional analysis comparing the duodenal gene expression in THC/SIV vs. VEH/SIV animals identified 93 differentially expressed genes that participate in processes involved in muscle contraction, protein folding, cytoskeleton remodeling, cell adhesion, and cell signaling. Immunohistochemical staining showed attenuated apoptosis in epithelial crypt cells of THC/SIV subjects. Our results indicate that chronic THC administration modulated duodenal T cell populations, favored a pro-Th2 cytokine balance, and decreased intestinal apoptosis. These findings reveal novel mechanisms that may potentially contribute to cannabinoid-mediated disease modulation.
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A team of Louisiana State University researchers is behind the findings, which it reached by studying a group of macaque monkeys infected with SIV, the simian form of HIV. After the monkeys received a daily injection of THC for 17 months, researchers saw a dramatic decrease in the damage to the monkey's duodenum (part of the small intestine) and an increased population of healthy cells near the damaged tissue compared to macaques who didn't get THC treatment.
"It adds to the picture and it builds a little bit more information around the potential mechanisms that might be playing a role in the modulation of infection," said Patricia Molina, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the study.
Molina's study is in line with science that isresearching the gut as a key area of importance in fighting HIV. Also, research suggests that THC could be helpful in preventing infected cells from entering the brain, and that cannabis may have beneficial properties for those with advanced HIV. Several studies have also pointed to marijuana's ability to ameliorate common side effects of HIV and treatment, like loss of appetite and pain.
"It adds to the picture and it builds a little bit more information around the potential mechanisms that might be playing a role in the modulation of infection," said Patricia Molina, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the study.
Q: Has medical marijuana been studied in HIV/AIDS patients?
Yes. Although foot-dragging by federal authorities delayed needed research for years, two clinical trials have been completed and more are underway. Other information is available from observational studies. Results thus far have been consistently positive. A landmark study conducted at San Francisco General Hospital looked at the safety of medical marijuana use by patients on stable ART regimens and showed no adverse effects on viral load, CD4, or CD8 counts, while the patients using marijuana gained more weight than those receiving a placebo.1 An observational study published in January 2005 found that patients experiencing ART-related nausea adhered to their drug regimens more consistently if they used marijuana.2 A study published in the journal Neurology in February 2007 reported that smoked marijuana "effectively relieved chronic pain from HIV-associated sensory neuropathy," with few side effects.3
Q: I've heard that marijuana may be harmful to the immune system. Is it a danger to people with HIV/AIDS?
Such claims are based on test tube studies, often using enormous doses, rather than on studies of actual patients. In the San Francisco General Hospital study described above, patients using medical marijuana not only showed no signs of immunological damage, they actually gained more CD4 and CD8 cells than those receiving a placebo.
Q: What do leading HIV/AIDS experts say about medical marijuana?
Leading HIV/AIDS organizations overwhelmingly believe seriously ill patients should be allowed to use medical marijuana without fear of arrest. The American Academy of HIV Medicine has stated, "When appropriately prescribed and monitored, marijuana/cannabis can provide immeasurable benefits for the health and well-being of our patients."4 Other supportive organizations include AIDS Action, Gay Men's Health Crisis, National Association of People With AIDS, AIDS Project Los Angeles, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Test Positive, Aware Network, AIDS Project Rhode Island, the New York State AIDS Advisory Council, Project Inform, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and many others.
Finding out whether marijuana has medicinal benefits for people living with HIV may prove difficult, as the substance is still classified as a Schedule I drug -- the most restrictive of the five categories outlined by the Controlled Substances Act. As a result, scientists who want to use marijuana in their research often have trouble getting funding, and the federal government controls access to the small legal supply of "research" marijuana and THC.
Mathew Rodriguez is the community editor for TheBody.com and TheBodyPRO.com.
Follow Mathew on Twitter: @mathewrodriguez.
Mathew Rodriguez is the community editor for TheBody.com and TheBodyPRO.com.
Follow Mathew on Twitter: @mathewrodriguez.
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