PMID:
Clin Infect Dis. 2020 Apr 16. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32296832
Abstract Title:
Beneficial Effects of Cannabis on Blood Brain Barrier Function in HIV.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: HIV infection leads to blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction that does not resolve despite viral suppression on antiretroviral therapy and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. In preclinical models, cannabis restores BBB integrity.METHODS: We studied people with HIV (PWH) and HIV- individuals who had used cannabis recently. We assessed two biomarkers of BBB permeability: the cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]-to-serum albumin ratio [CSAR], and CSF levels of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor [suPAR], a receptor for uPA, a matrix-degrading proteolytic enzyme that disrupts the BBB. A composite index of the BBB markers was created using principal components analysis. Neural injury was assessed using neurofilament light (NFL) in CSF by immunoassay.RESULTS: Participants were 45 PWH and 30 HIV- individuals of similar age and ethnicity. Among PWH, higher CSF suPAR levels correlated with higher CSAR values (r=0.47; p
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