To: SiouxPal who wrote (59195 ) 2/23/2006 3:50:21 PM From: Wharf Rat Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 361203 Hemp news... and shameless spam from a friend looking for moneyMessage 22198209 Non hemp news... It appears not smoking may be bad for your health :>) Cannabinoid Offers Cardioprotection, Study Says February 16, 2006 - Ramat-Gan, Israel Ramat-Gan, Israel: The administration of delta-9-THC protects heart muscle cells from injury during hypoxia (a deficiency in the levels of oxygen in the blood), according to preclinical trial data published in the February issue of the journal Molecular and Cellular Boichemistry. Researchers at the Bar-Ilan University in Israel investigated the effect of THC on cultured heart cells during hypoxia. "The present study confirm[s] the ability of THC to confer cardioprotection on hypoxia-exposed cardiac cells in culture," authors concluded. Investigators defined" cardioprotection" as "delaying the onset of irreversible cell injury." Authors also noted that THC appears to be non-toxic to heart cells. "This research demonstrates that THC has beneficial effects on cardiac cells and supports the consideration of marijuana for specific medical uses," investigators concluded. Previous research indicates that cannabinoids may also protect brain cells against alcohol-induced brain damage, stroke, and acute head trauma. For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the study," Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol protects cardiac cells from hypoxia via CB2 receptor activation and nitric oxide production," is available in the February issue of Molecular and Cellular Boichemistry. Cannabinoids Enhance Analgesic Effects Of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Study Says February 16, 2006 - Ankara, Turkey Ankara, Turkey: Cannabinoids, when administered in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), produce a synergistic analgesic effect, according to preclinical data published in the February issue of the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia. A research team at the Trakya University in Turkey investigated the analgesic interaction between cannabinoids and NSAIDS in mice. "Analysis showed additive interactions between [cannabinoids] and [NSAIDS] when they were co-administered systematically in an inflammatory visceral pain model," investigators concluded. "The combination of cannabinoids and NSAIDS may have utility in the pharmacotherapy of pain." Currently, a research team at the San Francisco General Hospital in California is evaluating the effectiveness of inhaled cannabis when used as an adjunctive therapy in combination with opioids to treat persistent cancer pain. The findings of that clinical trial are expected to be published later this year. For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the Turkish study, "The additive antinociceptive interaction between WIN 55,212-2, a cannabinoid agonist, and Ketorolac," appears in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia.norcalnorml.com