Researchers at Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences have discovered how variations in gut microbiome caused by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, more commonly referred to as THC, can predict significant weight loss in obese mice.
The research was conducted by Avi G. Kaye, a third-year student in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program; Matthew Rusling, D.O., a 2021 DMU alumnus; Lauren Wagment-Points, Ph.D., an affiliated faculty member, and Li-Lian Yuan, Ph.D., a professor in DMU’s physiology and pharmacology department. Other researchers include Amey Dhopeshwarkar, Parhesh Kumar and Kenneth Mackie from the Gill Center and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University. Their findings are detailed in the research paper titled “Microbiome Variations Induced by delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Predicts Weight Reduction in Obese Mice,” published in Frontiers in Microbiomes.
THC is a medicinal compound most frequently used to manage and treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The study demonstrated how THC supplementation resulted in an average weight loss of 17.8% in male mice and 13.8% in female mice over two weeks. The study shows the potential of using gut microbiome changes as biomarkers for THC-induced weight reduction, a promising step in understanding obesity treatments.
The project investigated how three scientific ideas are connected. First, epidemiological data suggested a counterintuitive link between chronic THC exposure and lower BMI. Second, growing evidence shows that the balance of bacteria in the gut is important for how our bodies manage weight and metabolism. Lastly, THC targets the endocannabinoid system, which affects hunger and gut health. This research sought to explore these potential connections, which have broad implications for understanding and addressing the obesity epidemic.
“While we anticipated some weight loss in the THC-treated obese mouse group in relation to controls, the degree of weight loss was stark,” Kaye says. “It was fascinating that we could statistically explain a portion of that weight loss solely based on microbiome composition changes seen in the THC-treated group.”
“We discovered that THC-induced weight loss is intricately linked to specific bacterial changes in the gut, offering new insights into potential therapeutic strategies for obesity,” Yuan says. “Importantly, our findings also underscore the need for personalized approaches, as the effects of THC on weight and microbiome composition vary between sexes.”
“This study on THC’s impact on weight loss and the gut microbiome not only sheds light on the complex relationship between cannabinoids and obesity but also opens new avenues for personalized treatment strategies,” says Pravin Mishra, Ph.D., M.B.A., executive director of research at DMU. “While these findings are promising, there are still several key factors that need further exploration, suggesting the need for additional research to fully understand the implications.” The research labs are currently seeking funding to support ongoing research and collaboration between DMU and the Gill Center Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.
“Future studies may involve introducing specific bacterial species that we identified and/or targeting specific endocannabinoid receptors to determine their effect on weight regulation,” Kaye says.
This study offered preliminary findings that microbiome and endocannabinoid activity are involved in weight regulation, opening potential new approaches to addressing the obesity epidemic through novel pathways.
