Cannabinoides y su posible uso en el glaucoma / Cannabinoids and their possible use in the treatment of glaucoma

Aunque la planta Cannabis sativa ha sido empleada desde la más remota antigüedad con fines medicinales, uno de sus derivados, la marihuana, se ha convertido en la droga de uso ilegal más consumida en el mundo. Asimismo tanto el Cannabis como sus cannabinoides se emplean como terapéutico en pocas enfermedades generalmente neurológicas. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica para exponer el posible uso de los cannabinoides en la terapéutica del glaucoma. Para ello se tuvo en cuenta la literatura disponible sobre el tema, durante el período enero a septiembre de 2010. Se ha comprobado el efecto hipotensor ocular de los cannabinoides al disminuir la producción de humor acuoso, y aumentar la excreción de humor acuoso a través de la malla trabecular y la vía uveoescleral, efecto compatible con el hallazgo de elevadas concentraciones de receptores de cannabinoides rCB1 y rCB2; además, el tetrahidrocannabinol ha demostrado disminuir el efecto neurodegenerativo en modelos de isquemia cerebral en ratas y se evidenció también el efecto beneficioso de los cannabinoides al disminuir la degeneración secundaria asociada al glaucoma mediada por la excitotoxicidad del glutamato. Estos hallazgos sobre el efecto beneficioso de los cannabinoides como hipotensores oculares y por su efecto neuroprotector, transmiten un mensaje esperanzador sobre la función que estos podrían desempeñar en el campo del glaucoma, aunque para mayor seguridad y eficacia serían necesarios ensayos clínicos encaminados a valorar su aplicabilidad en la práctica clínica diaria

Although the Cannabis Sativa plant has been used since the most remote ancient times for medicinal purposes, one of its derivatives, marijuana, has become the most commonly used illegal drug in the world. Similarly, both Cannabis and the cannabinoids are used therapeutically in a small number of general neurological pathologies. Literature review was made to set forth the possible use of cannabinoids in the treatment of Glaucoma. To this end, t the available literature on the subject from January to September 2010 was taken into account. The cannabinoid´s antihypertensive occular effect has been found to decrease aqueous humor production, and to increase the excretion of aqueous humor through the trabeculary mesh and the route uveoscleral pathway. This effect is compatible with the high concentrations of rCB1 and rCB2 cannabinoid receptors found. Besides, tetrahydrocannabinol has proved to reduce the neurodegenerative effect in models of cerebral ischemia in rats and the beneficial effect of cannabinoids to reduce gluthamate excitotoxicity-mediated secondary degeneration associated with glaucoma. These findings about the beneficial effect of cannabinoids as ocular antihypertensives and its neuroprotective effect convey a hopeful message about the role they could play in the treatment of glaucoma; however, it would be necessary to perform further clinical trials to assess their applicability in our daily clinical practice for greater safety and efficiency

Mechanism of acti on of chronically administered cannabis extract on the female genital tract of gerbils Meriones hurrianae.

Daily administration of cannabis extract (2.5 mg/day for a period of 60 days) caused degenerative changes in the ovarian tissue. Luteinization was inhibited. Corpus-luteum degeneration was conspicuous. Distinct effects were produced upon the uterine biochemistry, consisting of decreased RNA, protein, sialic acid and glycogen concentration of the uterus. Vaginal RNA and protein contents were low. An anti-estrogenic action of cannabis extract in female gerbils is suggested.

Effects of Cannabis extract on the response of accessory sex organs of adult male mice to testosterone.

Cannabis extract caused a marked reduction in the body weight and in the weights of seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, epididymis, preputial gland and perineal complex (Penis and its bulb and levator ani muscle) of castrated adult male mice. Cannabis extract administration in combination with testosterone propionate (TP) inhibited growth stimulation produced by TP alone. Anti-androgenic nature of the compound is suggested.