Cannabis Treatment Preserved Endocannabinoid Levels in Ulcerative Colitis Patients
In ulcerative colitis patients, endocannabinoid levels dropped significantly in the placebo group over 8 weeks but remained stable in cannabis-treated patients, with changes correlating to symptom improvements.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
In UC patients treated with placebo, levels of PEA, AEA, and arachidonic acid decreased significantly over 8 weeks, while levels remained stable in cannabis-treated UC patients. Reduction in bowel movements correlated with changes in AEA and OEA, and quality-of-life improvement correlated with 2-AG levels.
Key Numbers
13 Crohn's and 9 UC patients received cannabis; 17 CD and 10 UC received placebo; PEA, AEA, and AA decreased significantly in UC placebo group; endocannabinoid levels stable in cannabis-treated UC; FAAH levels increased in UC biopsies; symptom correlations with AEA, OEA, and 2-AG.
How They Did This
Sub-analysis of a randomized controlled trial examining endocannabinoid levels in blood and colon biopsies from IBD patients treated with cannabis or placebo for 8 weeks, plus in vitro Caco-2 cell experiments.
Why This Research Matters
This study provides mechanistic evidence that cannabis may work in UC by modulating endocannabinoid tone, offering a biological explanation for symptom improvement and potentially guiding more targeted cannabinoid therapies.
The Bigger Picture
Understanding how cannabis affects endocannabinoid signaling in inflammatory bowel disease could lead to treatments that target specific cannabinoid pathways without requiring whole-plant cannabis.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Very small sample sizes per group; sub-analysis of a larger trial; blood endocannabinoid levels may not reflect tissue-level changes; Crohn's patients showed no endocannabinoid changes.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why did cannabis affect endocannabinoid levels in UC but not Crohn's disease?
- ?Would targeted endocannabinoid-modulating drugs be as effective as whole-plant cannabis?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Endocannabinoid levels declined in placebo-treated UC patients but remained stable with cannabis
- Evidence Grade:
- Sub-analysis of RCT with very small sample sizes, providing preliminary mechanistic evidence.
- Study Age:
- Data from 8-week cannabis vs placebo trial.
- Original Title:
- Endocannabinoid Levels in Ulcerative Colitis Patients Correlate With Clinical Parameters and Are Affected by Cannabis Consumption.
- Published In:
- Frontiers in endocrinology, 12, 685289 (2021)
- Authors:
- Tartakover Matalon, Shelly(2), Azar, Shahar(2), Meiri, David(9), Hadar, Rivka, Nemirovski, Alina, Abu Jabal, Narjes, Konikoff, Fred Meir, Drucker, Liat, Tam, Joseph, Naftali, Timna
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03567
Evidence Hierarchy
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or placebo groups to test cause and effect.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis help ulcerative colitis?
This study found cannabis treatment preserved endocannabinoid levels that declined in placebo-treated UC patients. Changes in specific endocannabinoids correlated with fewer bowel movements and better quality of life, supporting a biological mechanism for symptom relief.
What are endocannabinoids?
Endocannabinoids are molecules the body produces naturally that act on the same receptors as cannabis. In UC, their levels appear to decline, and cannabis treatment may help maintain them at healthier levels.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03567APA
Tartakover Matalon, Shelly; Azar, Shahar; Meiri, David; Hadar, Rivka; Nemirovski, Alina; Abu Jabal, Narjes; Konikoff, Fred Meir; Drucker, Liat; Tam, Joseph; Naftali, Timna. (2021). Endocannabinoid Levels in Ulcerative Colitis Patients Correlate With Clinical Parameters and Are Affected by Cannabis Consumption.. Frontiers in endocrinology, 12, 685289. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.685289
MLA
Tartakover Matalon, Shelly, et al. "Endocannabinoid Levels in Ulcerative Colitis Patients Correlate With Clinical Parameters and Are Affected by Cannabis Consumption.." Frontiers in endocrinology, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.685289
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Endocannabinoid Levels in Ulcerative Colitis Patients Correl..." RTHC-03567. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/tartakover-2021-endocannabinoid-levels-in-ulcerative
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.