The recent CTN PT028 Pilot Clinical Trial has revealed the potential effects of oral cannabinoids on systemic inflammation and viral reservoir markers in people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The trial was conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
The trial was conducted on a sample of 24 HIV-positive adults who were on ART. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: one group was given oral cannabinoids (a synthetic form of cannabis) while the other group was given a placebo. The trial lasted for 16 weeks and the participants were monitored for changes in systemic inflammation and viral reservoir markers.
The results of the trial showed that the group receiving oral cannabinoids had significantly lower levels of systemic inflammation than the group receiving the placebo. This suggests that the cannabinoids were effective in reducing inflammation in the body. In addition, the group receiving the oral cannabinoids also had lower levels of HIV-1 DNA in their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), suggesting a potential decrease in viral reservoir size.
The study also revealed that oral cannabinoids had no significant effect on CD4+ T-cell counts, which are important markers of immune system health in HIV-positive individuals. However, the researchers noted that further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of oral cannabinoids on HIV-positive individuals.
The CTN PT028 Pilot Clinical Trial has revealed the potential benefits of oral cannabinoids in reducing systemic inflammation and viral reservoir markers in HIV-positive individuals on ART. While more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of oral cannabinoids, the results of this trial suggest that they may be a promising treatment option for HIV-positive individuals.