Mutagenicity, developmental toxicity and carcinogenicity of cannabis
Abstract
Type
Type of the conference item
Journal type
peer-reviewed
Educational material type
Conference Name
Journal name
Addict Biol
Book name
Book series
Book edition
Alternative title / Subtitle
Description
Data on the mutagenicity, developmental toxicity and carcinogenicity of cannabis are reviewed in this article. The available evidence on the possible mutagenic effects of cannabinoids is still inconclusive. There is no consensus on the induction of point mutations, while some experimental results suggest that cannabinoids may cause chromosomal damage. Concerning the developmental effects of cannabis, an increased embryolethality and somatic growth retardation have been observed in animals, as well as changes in motor behaviour, after perinatal exposure to cannabinoids. An elevated risk for infertility has been suggested for women smoking marijuana. On the other hand, intrauterine exposure to cannabinoids may be followed by changes of behaviour later in childhood. Finally, the experimental work concerning the possible carcinogenic action of cannabinoids has shown that cannabis acts as a tumour promotor in animals. Epidemiological studies have incriminated cannabis smoking for the development of head and neck carcinomas and for carcinomas of the respiratory tract in humans, but several confounding factors have rendered this evidence inconclusive. At least part of the great popularity of cannabis smoking is due to the widespread belief that it is harmless. However, the studies presented in this review show that, despite their low acute toxicity profile, cannabinoids represent several risks in terms of chronic toxicity.
Description
Keywords
Subject classification
Citation
Link
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20575764
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1080/13556219971786/asset/13556219971786.pdf?v=1&t=h095crjr&s=8fd6287a22125e0040ed902699de6919eeb444a6
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1080/13556219971786/asset/13556219971786.pdf?v=1&t=h095crjr&s=8fd6287a22125e0040ed902699de6919eeb444a6
Language
en
Publishing department/division
Advisor name
Examining committee
General Description / Additional Comments
Institution and School/Department of submitter
Πανεπιστήμιο Ιωαννίνων. Σχολή Επιστημών Υγείας. Τμήμα Ιατρικής