Delta9-tetrahydrocannabivarin beneficial in type 2 diabetes

(HealthDay)—For patients with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) reduces fasting plasma glucose, and improves pancreatic β-cell function, adiponectin, and apolipoprotein A, according to a study published online Aug. 29 in Diabetes Care.

Khalid A. Jadoon, from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, and colleagues conducted a randomized study involving 62 individuals with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes to examine the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and THCV.

The researchers found that THCV correlated with a significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose compared with placebo, and with improved pancreatic β-cell function, adiponectin, and apolipoprotein A; plasma high-density lipoprotein was unaffected. CBD correlated with decreased resistin and increased glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide compared with baseline (but not placebo). No significant impact was seen on end points for the combination treatments (CBD + THCV). Both CBD and THCV were well tolerated.

"THCV could represent a new therapeutic agent in glycemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to GW Pharmaceuticals; GW Research Ltd. funded the study.