Studying the Effects of Cannabis on Vasculature

Cardiovascular Diseases Clinical Trial

— SECV  

Official title:

Elucidating the Effects of Cannabis on Cardiovascular System

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05581368
• Other study ID #: WCVP0001
• Status: Recruiting
• Start date: December 1, 2023
• Est. completion date: December 2024

Study information

• Verified date: April 2024
• Source: Lawson Health Research Institute
• Contact: Mark Chandy, MD, PhD
• Phone: 5196612111
• Email: mark.chandy[@]lhsc.on.ca
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

Cannabis is commonly used globally. It is associated with psychiatric problems, but the effects on the cardiovascular system are unclear. In this project, the investigators plan to study the effects of cannabis on the cardiovascular system. This will be done by using a non-invasive test to measure blood vessel function and by using blood samples to measure inflammation. As a control for this project, the investigators would like to test the blood vessel function and inflammation levels of participants who do not use cannabis. This study will provide important information on the long term cardiovascular effects of cannabis.

Description:

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in the world, but the investigators do not know the long-term effects on the cardiovascular system in humans. The investigators have data from cell culture and small animal studies that cannabis is toxic to the cardiovascular system. Recently legalized in Canada, the long-term effects of cannabis use on the cardiovascular system may not be apparent for several decades. The purpose of this study is to test the effect of cannabis use on the vascular system. Using a non-invasive test of vascular function, the investigators would like to assess the effects of cannabis on chronic cannabis users. The investigators would also like to test if cannabis use by smoking and/or vaping causes adverse cardiovascular effects acutely. Lastly, the investigators would like to test blood from chronic cannabis users for inflammatory cytokines, which could further support our hypothesis that cannabis damages the cardiovascular system via inflammation.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Recruiting
• Enrollment: 100
• Est. completion date: December 2024
• Est. primary completion date: December 2024
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 19 Years to 80 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• age: 19 to 80
• males and females
• all ethnicities
• cannabis use at least 3-4 times per week or more in the past 6 months (50 volunteers, experimental group)
• patients who do not use cannabis (50 volunteers, control group)
• no history of cardiovascular disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• that ingest cannabis containing cannabidiol (CBD)
• that are unable to provide a receipt for the cannabis product(s) they ingest
• that are unwilling to stop consuming soy products and/or genistein 48 hours prior to appointments.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Atherosclerosis
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Inflammation

Intervention

Other:
• Chronic Cannabis use
The investigators will test levels of inflammation and vascular dysfunction in participants who chronically use cannabis.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	London Regional Health Science Centre	London	Ontario

Sponsors (3)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Lawson Health Research Institute	Academic Medical Organization of Southwestern Ontario, Canadian Cardiovascular Society

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Canada, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Inflammation	The investigators will measure the concentration of inflammatory cytokines using an Olink for chronic cannabis users and the control group.	Baseline measurement.
Primary	Endothelial function	The investigators will measure the reactive hyperaemia index (RHI) using an EndPAT device for both groups.	Baseline measurement.
Secondary	Cholesterol Level	The investigators will measure lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, ratio) for both groups.	Baseline measurement.
Secondary	BMI	The investigators will measure body-mass index or both groups.	Baseline measurement.
Secondary	Blood pressure	The investigators will measure baseline blood pressure for both groups.	Baseline measurement.