Pubdate: Thu, 07 Apr 2005
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Telegraph Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Author: Roger Highfield, Science Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

CANNABIS MAY STOP HEART DISEASE

The active ingredient of cannabis can prevent blood vessels from becoming 
blocked by atherosclerosis, the inflammation that is the primary cause of 
heart disease and stroke.

The disease is halted when mice are given low doses of the substance, 
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, according to a study published today in 
the journal Nature by Prof Francois Mach and colleagues at the Geneva 
University Hospital.

Atherosclerosis occurs when the build-up of immune cells in blood vessels 
causes narrowing of the arteries. THC, seems to prevents the recruitment of 
immune cells called leukocytes by binding to proteins called CB2 receptors 
on the surface of cells in the vessels.

Because atherosclerosis is rare in younger people who tend to smoke 
cannabis, there is no evidence of this protective effect from earlier 
epidemiological studies of the health effects, said Prof Mach. He added 
that his research will spur drug companies to look for compounds which can 
bind to CB2 receptors like THC but without CB1 activity and thus the 
psychotropic effects.

Prof Michael Roth, from the University of California, urged caution in the 
same issue of Nature. "The findings are striking, but they should not be 
taken to mean that smoking marijuana is beneficial to the heart. Also, no 
studies have been performed in humans to evaluate the effects of THC on 
atherosclerosis." 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake