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Lilli
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 12 Dec 2003
Posts: 4218
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 Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 10:15 pm Post subject: Cannabis May Combat Cancer-Causing Herpes Viruses |
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Cannabis May Combat Cancer-Causing Herpes Viruses
Posted by CN Staff on September 22, 2004 at 07:25:11 PT
Press Release
Source: Newswise
Newswise -- The compound in marijuana that produces a high, delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol or THC, may block the spread of several forms of cancer causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine scientists report.
The findings, published Sept. 15 in the online journal BMC Medicine, could lead to the creation of antiviral drugs based on nonpsychoactive derivatives of THC.
The gamma herpes viruses include Kaposi’s Sarcoma Associated Herpes virus, which is associated with an increased risk of cancer that is particularly prevalent in AIDS sufferers. Another is Epstein-Barr virus, which predisposes infected individuals to cancers such as Burkitt’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease.
Once a person is infected, these viruses can remain dormant for long periods within white blood cells before they burst out and begin replicating. This reactivation of the virus boosts the number of cells infected thereby increasing the chances that the cells will become cancerous.
The USF team, led by virologist Peter Medveczky, MD, found that this sudden reactivation was prevented if infected cells were grown in the presence of THC. While cells infected with a mouse gamma herpes virus normally died when the virus was reactivated, these same cells survived when cultured in the laboratory along with the cannabinoid compound – further evidence that THC prevents viral reactivation.
Furthermore, the researchers showed that THC acts specifically on gamma herpes viruses. The chemical had no effect on another related virus, herpes simplex-1, which causes cold sores and genital herpes.
Small concentrations of THC were more potent and selective against gamma herpes viruses than the commonly used antiviral drugs acyclovir, gancicyclovir and foscamet, said Dr. Medveczky, a professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.
The USF researchers suggest that THC selectively inhibits the spread of gamma herpes viruses by targeting a gene these viruses all share called ORF50.
Dr. Medveczky emphasized that more studies are needed. “We have not evaluated the effect of THC in an animal model yet so we do not recommend people start using pot to prevent or treat cancers.”
In fact, Dr. Meveczky said, THC has also been shown to suppress the immune system so smoking marijuana could “do more harm than good” to patients whose immune systems are often already weakened.
Note: The compound in marijuana that produces a high may help block the spread of cancer-causing herpes viruses.
Complete Title: Cannabis May Help Combat Cancer-Causing Herpes Viruses
Source: Newswise (VA)
Published: September 22, 2004
Copyright: 2004 Newswise
Contact: editor@newswise.com
Website: http://www.newswise.com/
Related Articles & Web Site:
Medical Marijuana Information Links
http://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htm
Cannabis May Help Combat Cancer
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19494.shtml
Marijuana May Stall Brain Tumor Growth
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19339.shtml
UCSF Study Finds No Harm to HIV+ Patients
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17093.shtml
Marijuana Use Does Not Accelerate HIV Infection
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17092.shtml |
_________________
I pass to you the torch that Christ once passed to me.
Others are still in the dark and need
the light to see.
"I AM"
"Gathering the fragments so that
none are lost"
His Shepherdess
http://missouri.thcministry.org/ |
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Fyrefly1
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 07 Sep 2004
Posts: 2209
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| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 3:06 am Post subject: |
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Lilli,
So glad to see this! It just points to the fact that herb really is for healing of our 'minds, BODIES, and souls......'
Praise God for His creation, Amen...
Fyrefly1
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Fyrefly1
"All truth passes through three stages: first it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed, and third it is accepted as self-evident."
Arthur Schopenhauer, 19th Century Philosopher |
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Lilli
Cannabis Sacrament Minister
Joined: 12 Dec 2003
Posts: 4218
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| Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 4:00 am Post subject: |
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amen bro a medicine for most all ailments.
_________________
I pass to you the torch that Christ once passed to me.
Others are still in the dark and need
the light to see.
"I AM"
"Gathering the fragments so that
none are lost"
His Shepherdess
http://missouri.thcministry.org/ |
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