PubMed: Anti-inflammatory potential of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in hyperinsulinemia: an experimental study

Mol Biol Rep. 2022 Oct 14. doi: 10.1007/s11033-022-07996-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hyperinsulinemia (HI) means that the amount of insulin in the blood is higher than normal and is often associated with type 2 diabetes. It is known that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) obtained from a medicinal plant, Cannabis sativa, has therapeutic effects on many diseases.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of THC on inflammatory and oxidant status in rat pancreas with HI.

METHODS: Rats were divided into groups; Control, HI, THC and HI + THC. Each group consists of 8 animals. HI and HI + THC groups were given 10% fructose in the drinking water for 12 weeks. In the last four weeks of the experiment, 1.5 mg kg^-1 THC was injected intraperitoneally daily into THC and HI + THC groups. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were detected. JNK/SAPK and Grap2/p38 levels, total antioxidant and oxidant capacities (TAC and TOC) were analyzed in the pancreas.

RESULTS: Levels of IL-6, NF-κβ, and TNF-α mRNA expression were higher in the pancreas with HI than in the control (p < 0.001 for all). THC treatment reduced the expression of IL-6, NF-κβ, and TNF-α mRNAs in the HI + THC group compared to the HI group (p < 0.001 for all). TOC increased in the HI group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). However, THC treatment reduced TOC levels in the HI + THC group compared to the HI group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: According to the results, the THC treatment may regulate inflammation and TOC in rats with hyperinsulinemia. Thus, we can say that THC may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential in metabolic disorders.

PMID:36239881 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-022-07996-9