Could bones be strengthened by cannabis?

Friday August 14th, 2009

Cannabis may offer protection against bone disease in later life, new research suggests.

Laboratory research by a team from Edinburgh University, UK, has shown a link between cannabis and the development of osteoporosis - brittle bone disease.

They explain that the process by which osteoporosis develops - reduced bone formation and accumulation of adipocytes (fat) in the bone marrow - is regulated by the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (called CB1).

In tests, they found that mice which lacked CB1 had increased peak bone mass because of reduced bone resorption. But these mice went on to develop age-related osteoporosis with reduced bone formation and build-up of adipocytes in the bone marrow.

On the other hand, when the CB1 receptor was activated in another group of mice, as it would be when exposed to cannabis, the rate at which bone tissue was destroyed in the young was increased. But in older mice, bone loss was decreased and the accumulation of fat in the bones was prevented.

Full details appear in the journal Cell Metabolism. The authors believe that the CB1 receptor is unique, as it regulates peak bone mass but protects against age-related bone loss.

"This is an exciting step forward, but we must recognise that these are early results and more tests are needed on the effects of cannabis in humans to determine how the effects differ with age in people," said lead researcher, Professor Stuart Ralston.

"We plan to conduct further trials soon and hope the results will help to deliver new treatments that will be of value in the fight against osteoporosis."

Idris, A. I. et al. Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 Protects against Age-Related Osteoporosis by Regulating Osteoblast and Adipocyte Differentiation in Marrow Stromal Cells. Cell Metabolism, Vol. 10, August 6, 2009, pp. 139-47.

Tags: Drug and Alcohol Abuse | Orthopaedics | Rheumatology | UK News

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