Objective: To compare plasma concentrations of cannabidiol (CBD) following oral administration of two formulations of the drug (powder and dissolved in oil), and to evaluate the effects of these distinct formulations on responses to emotional stimuli in healthy human volunteers. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design, 45 healthy male volunteers were randomly assigned to three groups of 15 subjects that received either 150 mg of CBD powder; 150 mg of CBD dissolved in corn oil; or placebo. Blood samples were collected at different times after administration, and a facial emotion recognition task was completed after 150 min. Results: There were no significant differences across groups in the subjective and physiological measures, nor in the facial emotion recognition task. However, groups that received the drug showed statistically significant differences in baseline measures of plasma CBD, with a significantly greater difference in favor of the oil formulation. Conclusion: When administered as a single 150-mg dose, neither formulation of oral CBD altered responses to emotional stimuli in healthy subjects. The oil-based CBD formulation resulted in more rapid achievement of peak plasma level, with an approximate fourfold increase in oral bioavailability.

Current pharmacotherapy of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is palliative and unable to modify the progression of neurodegeneration. Treatments that can improve patients’ quality of life with fewer side effects are needed, but not yet available. Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychotomimetic constituent of cannabis, has received considerable research attention in the last decade. In this context, we aimed to critically review the literature on potential therapeutic effects of CBD in PD and discuss clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the putative neuroprotective mechanisms of CBD. We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed) for indexed articles published in English from inception to 2019. The following keywords were used: cannabis; cannabidiol and neuroprotection; endocannabinoids and basal ganglia; Parkinson’s animal models; Parkinson’s history; Parkinson’s and cannabidiol. Few studies addressed the biological bases for the purported effects of CBD on PD. Six preclinical studies showed neuroprotective effects, while three targeted the antidyskinetic effects of CBD. Three human studies have tested CBD in patients with PD: an open-label study, a case series, and a randomized controlled trial. These studies reported therapeutic effects of CBD on non-motor symptoms. Additional research is needed to elucidate the potential effectiveness of CBD in PD and the underlying mechanisms involved.

Defeitos na incorporação de N-glicanos nas proteínas humanas ocasionam um grupo de doenças multissistêmicas denominadas coletivamente distúrbios congênitos de glicosilação (DCG). Os DCG manifestam-se na infância com sintomas neurológicos que incluem principalmente atraso psicomotor, ataxia, hipotonia e episódios de acidente vascular cerebral. Várias proteínas do sistema hemostático somente tornam-se biologicamente ativas após a glicosilação. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os anticoagulantes naturais (proteína S livre, proteína C e antitrombina) e os fatores da coagulação (VIII, IX e XI) em pacientes com DCG tipo I. Foram avaliados 11 pacientes com diagnóstico positivo para DCG tipo I (três do gênero masculino e oito do gênero feminino), idade média de 5,6 anos; e oito pacientes com diagnóstico negativo para DCG(quatro do gênero masculino e quatro do gênero feminino), idade média de 4,5 anos (grupo-controle). O diagnóstico de DCG tipo I foi realizado pela identificação do padrão de hipoglicosilação da transferrina plasmática. Na avaliação dos anticoagulantes naturais pode-se observar redução dos valores de PS livre e PC e uma redução marcante de AT, quando comparados com o grupo controle. Em relação aos fatores de coagulação não houve diferença significativa para os fatores VIII e IX e houve redução marcante do fator XI. Os resultados do presente estudo sugerem que a deficiência combinada de anticoagulantes naturais é responsável pelo estado pró-trombótico observado em pacientes com DCG. Sugerimos também que a análise dos parâmetros hemostáticos seja realizada para pacientes com DCG quando apresentarem sintomas clínicos de alteração do sistema hemostático e antes de procedimentos invasivos.

Defects in the biosynthesis of N-linked human protein glycosylation leads to a group of multisystem disorders collectively called congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG). CDG present in infancy with neurologic symptoms that include psychomotor retardation, ataxia, hypotonia and stroke-like episodes. Many haemostatic system proteins only present biological activity after glycosylation. The aim of this study was to evaluate coagulation inhibitors (free protein S, protein C and antithrombin) and coagulation factors (VIII, IX and XI) in CDG type I patients. Eleven patients with CDG type I (three males and eight females) with a mean age of 5.6 years old, and eight patients without CDG (four males and four females) with a mean age of 4.5 years old (control group) were evaluated. The diagnoses of CDG type I were confirmed by isoelectric focusing of serum transferrin. When coagulation inhibitors were evaluated, decreased activity of free protein S and protein C, and a pronounced reduction of antithrombin were observed compared to the control group. There was no significant difference for coagulation factors VIII and IX but a markedly decrease in factor XI. The present results suggest that a combined deficiency of coagulation inhibitors is responsible for the pro-thrombotic state observed in CDG patients. We recommend that a haemostatic analysis should be performed in CDG patients with clinical haemostatic manifestations before invasive procedures are performed.