Molecular Mechanisms Through Which Cannabidiol May Affect Skeletal Muscle Metabolism, Inflammation, Tissue Regeneration, and Anabolism: A Narrative Review

Topical Cannabidiol Application May Not Attenuate Muscle Soreness or Improve Performance: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate cannabidiol (CBD) cream's effects on muscle soreness and performance after exercise. Materials and Methods: This double-blinded, placebo-controlled experiment included 15 men and 13 women (n = 28; mean ± standard deviation age: 23.29 ± 2.54 years) untrained in lower-body resistance training. Participants were randomized into control (NG, n = 9), CBD (CG, n = 9), or placebo (PG, n = 10) groups. Participants completed a lower-body fatigue protocol (FP) consisting of unilateral maximal concentric and eccentric isokinetic muscle actions of the quadriceps and hamstrings (5 sets, 10 repetitions, both legs). CG and PG participants applied ∼100 mg CBD or placebo cream, respectively, matched for weight and appearance to the quadriceps on three separate days. NG participants engaged in a sitting rest period matched in duration to cream application processes. Questionnaires, pressure-pain threshold (PPT), peak torque test (PTT), and countermovement jump (CMJ) were assessed. Mixed-model analysis of variance was conducted to assess main effects and interactions (group × muscle × time; group × time). Results: There were no significant interactions or main effects for group for PPT, CMJ, or PTT. There were main effects for time (p < 0.05) for all soreness questions, PPT, CMJ, and PTT. There was one significant interaction (group × time; p = 0.045) for cream/rest effect questions, in which PG participants perceived the effect of cream to be greater than the effect of rest for NG participants. There were main effects for group (p ≤ 0.031) for all soreness questions, in which PG participants perceived enhanced recovery. Conclusions: The present pilot study did not discover any significant impacts of CBD cream use for muscle recovery. For individuals seeking to attenuate muscle soreness and improve performance, the current dose of this topical CBD product may not be an effective treatment.

Multi targets of cannabidiol (CBD) on skeletal mammalian and avian neuromuscular preparations

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been used in diseases that affect the central nervous system. Its effects on the peripheral synapses are of great interest, since endocannabinoid receptors are expressed in muscles. CBD (0.3 mM) was analysed using mammalian and avian neuromuscular preparations, through myographic techniques in complementary protocols. Mammalian cells were examined by light microscopy while exogenous acetylcholine (40 µM) and potassium chloride (100 mM) were added into avian preparations, before and at the end of experiments. Pharmacological tools such as atropine (2 µM), polyethylene glycol (PEG 400, 20 µM), Ca2+ (1.8 mM), F55-6 (20 µg/mL), and nifedipine (1.3 mM) were assessed with CBD. In mice, CBD causes a facilitatory effect and paralysis, whereas in avian, paralysis. Concluding, CBD is responsible for activated or inhibited channels, for ACh release via muscarinic receptor modulation, and by the inhibition of nicotinic receptors leading to neuromuscular blockade, with no damage to striated muscle cells.

In Web We Trust: The Promised Cannabidiol Effects on Obesity as a Matter of Language and Marketing on Webpages

BACKGROUND

Today more and more people search the web for health-related information, risking to come across misinformation and biased content that may affect their treatment decisions. Cannabidiol (CBD) is among the products for which beneficial effects have been claimed, often at the expense of the risks; further keeping in mind unreliable information reported on products themselves.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the quality of information retrieved by Google on the potential effects of CBD on weight management, also comparing Italian and English contents, hypothesizing generally low quality and language-driven differences in offered information.

METHODS

Queries regarding cannabidiol and obesity-related terms were entered into Google, ranking the first 50 webpages from both merged Italian and English results for analysis.

RESULTS

Of the outputs, 37 Italian and 27 English websites addressed the topic and were not related to medical literature. As expected, a substantial proportion of information was of low quality, with English sites performing better (29.6%) than Italian ones (54%, p = 0.052) in terms of "JAMA benchmarks" for trustworthiness of information. Also, while most English sites were "Health portals" (40.7%) with neutral stance toward CBD (74.1%), Italian ones were predominantly "commercial" (78.4%, p = 0.001) and promoting CBD use (89.2%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest the need for better online information, especially in non-Englishspeaking countries, as scarce and unequal information can lead people to make poor health choices, with potentially harmful consequences.

Treatment Strategies for Painful Pelvic Floor Conditions: A Focus on the Potential Benefits of Cannabidiol

Painful conditions of the pelvic floor include a set of disorders of the pelvic region, discreetly prevalent in the female population, in which pain emerges as the predominant symptom. Such disorders have a significant impact on quality of life as they impair couple relationships and promote states of anxiety and irascibility in affected individuals. Although numerous treatment approaches have been proposed for the management of such disorders, there is a need to identify strategies to promote muscle relaxation, counter pelvic pain, and reduce inflammation. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) represents a complex system spread throughout the body and is involved in the regulation of numerous physiological processes representing a potential therapeutic target for mood and anxiety disorders as well as pain management. Cannabidiol (CBD), acting on the ECS, can promote relief from hyperalgesia and allodynia typical of disorders affecting the pelvic floor and promote muscle relaxation by restoring balance to this delicate anatomical region. However, its use is currently limited due to a lack of evidence supporting its efficacy and harmlessness, and the mechanism of action on the ECS remains partially unexplored to this day. This comprehensive review of the literature examines the impact of pain disorders affecting the pelvic floor and major treatment approaches and brings together the main evidence supporting CBD in the management of such disorders.

Palmitoylethanolamide Does Not Affect Recovery from Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Healthy Males

INTRODUCTION

Strenuous eccentric exercise (EE) induces microstructural muscle damage, which decreases muscle performance. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) exerts analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in clinical pain conditions and preclinical models of experimentally induced inflammation. This might hold clues for improved recovery from EE. Therefore, the current study evaluates the effect of PEA supplementation on functional and molecular responses to a single EE bout.

METHODS

Eleven healthy male participants were included in a double-blind crossover study in which they received PEA (350 mg Levagen+) or placebo (maltodextrin) supplements, in a randomized order. In each experimental condition, participants performed an acute bout of EE (24 × 10 eccentric contractions of the knee extensors on an isokinetic dynamometer). At baseline, 24 (D1), 48 (D2), 72 (D3), and 120 h (D5) following EE, maximal voluntary contraction and jump height were measured. Blood samples were collected at baseline and on D1-D5, and muscle biopsies were collected at baseline and on D2. Perceived muscle soreness, sleep quality, and food intake were recorded daily.

RESULTS

Muscle strength and jump height decreased following EE (up to ~40% and ~17%, respectively; Ptime < 0.05) in both conditions. This drop was accompanied by an increase in plasma creatine kinase and perceived muscle soreness ( Ptime < 0.05). Furthermore, EE, but not PEA, increased the expression of the myogenic marker Pax7 and of the catabolic markers p-FoxO1-3a, p62, and LC3BII/I ( Ptime < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PEA supplementation does not improve muscle soreness, muscle strength, and jump performance following a single EE bout. In addition, PEA supplementation had no effect on local or systemic markers of muscle damage, catabolism, or regeneration.

Cannabis in combat sports: position statement of the Association of Ringside Physicians

and ARP Position Statement: Based on the available body of scientific evidence and with the goals of promoting safety of combat sports athletes and striving for the advancement of clean sport, the Association of Ringside Physicians recommends the following regarding cannabis:• Use of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids by combat sports athletes is discouraged due to unproven benefits and many known adverse effects. Acute use can impair cognition and complex motor function, which likely leads to reduced performance in combat sports. Chronic use can increase risk for heart and lung disease, several cancers, schizophrenia, and can reduce testosterone in men and impair fertility. Benefits from cannabis in most contexts, including athletic performance, have not been proven.• Use of topical purified CBD is neither encouraged nor discouraged.• Since acute cannabis intoxication can impair complex cognitive and motor function, any athlete suspected of acute intoxication at the time of competition - based on clinical judgment - should be banned from that competition.• Wide-scale regulation of cannabis based on quantitative testing has limited usefulness in combat sports, for the following reasons:∘ Cannabis is not ergogenic and is likely ergolytic.∘ Concentrations in body fluids correlate poorly with clinical effects and timing of use.∘ Access to testing resources varies widely across sporting organizations.

Effects of Hemp-Derived Cannabidiol Supplementation on Blood Variables, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality of Goats

Stress experienced by animals during pre-mortem management handling significantly affects both their welfare and the quality of the meat produced. Using hemp-derived CBD may offer several benefits in alleviating this issue. In this study, we investigated the effects of hemp-derived CBD supplementation on blood variables, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in goats. Sixteen crossbred Boer goats were divided into four groups receiving a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 mL CBD/30 kg body weight over 90 days. Although growth, carcass characteristics, and pH remained unaffected, CBD supplementation influenced several blood variables. Specifically, dietary CBD at 0.1-0.3 mL increased white blood cell (WBC) counts, while 0.3 mL CBD increased serum total protein, globulin, sodium, and carbon dioxide levels, potentially affecting protein metabolism and electrolyte balance. Over time, significant changes were noted in hematological profiles, kidney markers, protein profiles, and some electrolytes, indicating physiological adaptations. Regarding meat quality, supplementation with 0.2-0.3 mL of CBD linearly improved color redness and stability; moreover, CBD supplementation improved tenderness and textural properties, resulting in a softer meat texture. However, analysis using an E-nose indicated increased ammonia and organic solvent vapors in meat from the higher CBD groups. This study concluded that CBD supplementation up to 0.3 mL of CBD/30 kg body weight beneficially modulated blood biomarkers, meat color, and tenderness without adverse impacts on growth or carcass characteristics in goats.

Cannabidiol and brain function: current knowledge and future perspectives

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa, commonly known as cannabis or hemp. Although currently available CBD products do not meet the safety standards of most food safety authorities to be approved as a dietary supplement or food additive, CBD has been gaining widespread attention in recent years due to its various potential health benefits. While primarily known for its therapeutic effects in managing epileptic seizures, psychosis, anxiety, (neuropathic) pain, and inflammation, CBD's influence on brain function has also piqued the interest of researchers and individuals seeking to enhance cognitive performance. The primary objective of this review is to gather, synthesize, and consolidate scientifically proven evidence on the impact of CBD on brain function and its therapeutic significance in treating neurological and mental disorders. First, basic background information on CBD, including its biomolecular properties and mechanisms of action is presented. Next, evidence for CBD effects in the human brain is provided followed by a discussion on the potential implications of CBD as a neurotherapeutic agent. The potential effectiveness of CBD in reducing chronic pain is considered but also in reducing the symptoms of various brain disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease. Additionally, the implications of using CBD to manage psychiatric conditions such as psychosis, anxiety and fear, depression, and substance use disorders are explored. An overview of the beneficial effects of CBD on aspects of human behavior, such as sleep, motor control, cognition and memory, is then provided. As CBD products remain largely unregulated, it is crucial to address the ethical concerns associated with their use, including product quality, consistency, and safety. Therefore, this review discusses the need for responsible research and regulation of CBD to ensure its safety and efficacy as a therapeutic agent for brain disorders or to stimulate behavioral and cognitive abilities of healthy individuals.

Annual banned-substance review 16th edition-Analytical approaches in human sports drug testing 2022/2023

In this 16th edition of the annual banned-substance review on analytical approaches in human sports drug testing, literature on recent developments in this particular section of global anti-doping efforts that was published between October 2022 and September 2023 is summarized and discussed. Most recent additions to the continuously growing portfolio of doping control analytical approaches and investigations into analytical challenges in the context of adverse analytical findings are presented, taking into account existing as well as emerging challenges in anti-doping, with specific focus on substances and methods of doping recognized in the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2023 Prohibited List. As in previous years, focus is put particularly on new or enhanced analytical options in human doping controls, appreciating the exigence and core mission of anti-doping and, equally, the conflict arising from the opposingly trending extent of the athlete's exposome and the sensitivity of instruments nowadays commonly available in anti-doping laboratories.

Cannabidiol acts as molecular switch in innate immune cells to promote the biosynthesis of inflammation-resolving lipid mediators

Cannabinoids are phytochemicals from cannabis with anti-inflammatory actions in immune cells. Lipid mediators (LM), produced from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), are potent regulators of the immune response and impact all stages of inflammation. How cannabinoids influence LM biosynthetic networks is unknown. Here, we reveal cannabidiol (CBD) as a potent LM class-switching agent that stimulates the production of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) but suppresses pro-inflammatory eicosanoid biosynthesis. Detailed metabololipidomics analysis in human monocyte-derived macrophages showed that CBD (i) upregulates exotoxin-stimulated generation of SPMs, (ii) suppresses 5-lipoxygenase (LOX)-mediated leukotriene production, and (iii) strongly induces SPM and 12/15-LOX product formation in resting cells by stimulation of phospholipase A2-dependent PUFA release and through Ca2+-independent, allosteric 15-LOX-1 activation. Finally, in zymosan-induced murine peritonitis, CBD increased SPM and 12/15-LOX products and suppressed pro-inflammatory eicosanoid levels in vivo. Switching eicosanoid to SPM production is a plausible mode of action of CBD and a promising inflammation-resolving strategy.

Therapeutic potentials of cannabidiol: Focus on the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid that does not create psychoactive activities, has been identified as having a multitude of therapeutic benefits. This study delves into the chemical properties, pharmacokinetics, safety and toxicity, pharmacological effects, and most importantly, the association between the therapeutic potential of CBD and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. The relationship between Nrf2 and CBD is closely linked to certain proteins that are associated with cardiovascular dysfunctions, cancers, and neurodegenerative conditions. Specifically, Nrf2 is connected to the initiation and progression of diverse health issues, including nephrotoxicity, bladder-related diseases, oral mucositis, cancers, obesity, myocardial injury and angiogenesis, skin-related inflammations, psychotic disorders, neuropathic pain, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, neuroinflammation, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Multiple Sclerosis. The association between CBD and Nrf2 is a zone of great interest in the medical field, as it has the potential to significantly impact the treatment and prevention of wide-ranging health conditions. Additional investigation is necessary to entirely apprehend the mechanisms underlying this crucial interplay and to develop effective therapeutic interventions.