Autophagy and apoptosis are natural cellular mechanisms which consist for the first in a recycling and elimination process of potentially toxic cellular waste, and for the second in a process of cellular suicide when it becomes abnormal and "not" repairable, notably by autophagy. A deficit in autophagic function at the cellular level can lead to chronic inflammation and accelerated cellular senescence. Apoptosis is a beneficial phenomenon because it eliminates abnormal cells that could endanger the organism if it survives (e.g. karyotypic atypia). Uncontrolled, it can be deleterious if apoptosis is hypo or hyperactive.
The Centre of Molecular Biology of the CNRS in Orléans has developed for many years an expertise concerning apoptosis via the discovery of the GALIG gene. This pro-apoptotic gene produces two proteins, one of which, cytogaligin, interacts with several proteins involved in autophagy. Recent translational research conducted jointly by the CNRS and CHR Orléans teams have shown that PBMC from HIV-infected patients who have been on effective cART for at least 4 years show changes in the expression of certain genes involved in autophagy (BECN1, GABARAPL1, MAP1LC3B and GALIG). Gomez-Mora et al. also reported a decrease in autophagic function in CD4+ T cells of patients, with the impairment of autophagy being more important as the reconstitution of the CD4+ T compartment is incomplete. Thus, autophagy defects are more pronounced in patients whose CD4 T cell count remains low, suggesting a link between autophagy and CD4 T cell depletion.In summary, even after prolonged virological control and apparent immune reconstitution, PLWH (people living with HIV) exhibit deregulation of genes involved in autophagy. In the simian model, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) cannabinoids would reduce inflammation associated with intestinal tissues, but also SIV viral load and mortality in males only. A recent review points to the potential benefit of cannabinoids on inflammation in the context of HIV. PLHIV who regularly use cannabis, and therefore potentially exposed to Δ9-THC and cannabidiol (CBD), have been the subject of a significant literature. Thus, it has been reported that in these patients, compared to non-consumers, there is a greater reduction in the HIV reservoir (HIV-DNA), a decrease in activated monocytes, the latter being linked to inflammation, as well as a reduced activation of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. A first analysis is based on 6 HIV+ patients virologically controlled for at least 4 years, having absorbed, as a dietary supplement, for 4 weeks a dose of 30 mg x2 per day of CBD duly controlled pharmacologically (Δ9-THC dosage \< 0.1%) and having declared not to use drugs. We were able to note by discriminant factor analysis (DFA): * a significant change in the expression of genes involved in autophagy. Their activation profile of genes involved in autophagy is no longer identical to that of virologically controlled HIV+ patients who did not take CBD. * a profile of serum inflammatory cytokines that is close to the profile of HIV-negative individuals, but different from that of PLWHIV who have not consumed CBD. Thus, CBD, which has no psychotropic effect, could have beneficial effects on HIV patients by reducing cellular senescence, inflammation and their consequences in terms of co-morbidities as well as the level of HIV reservoirs through an apoptotic phenomenon of cells hosting HIV in a quiescent state. Among the molecules present in the plant and in particular the species Cannabis sativa L., can be present the CBD, the Δ9 THC and a multitude of terpenes without psychotropic effects, which would be responsible for an "effect of entourage". Studies argue for a synergistic effect of these molecules to lead to the suspected effects.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
80
Patients will receive CBD LGP 50 at a dose of 1 mg/kg twice a day in the form of oil dispensed through a graduated pipette until the end of week 12.
Patients will receive the MCT oil placebo without CBD until the end of week 12.
Centre Hospitalier Régional d'Orléans, France
Orléans, France
Percentage of variation in the quantification of the corresponding mRNAs
Percentage of variation in the quantification of the corresponding mRNAs in the mononuclear cells in the different arms of the study
Time frame: Day 0
Percentage of variation in the quantification of the corresponding mRNAs
Percentage of variation in the quantification of the corresponding mRNAs in the mononuclear cells in the different arms of the study
Time frame: Week 4
Percentage of variation in the quantification of the corresponding mRNAs
Percentage of variation in the quantification of the corresponding mRNAs in the mononuclear cells in the different arms of the study
Time frame: Week 12
Quantifications of the quantities of mRNA in each cell subpopulation
Quantifications of the mRNAs corresponding to S16 and comparison with the data obtained on D0, S4 and S12, and with those obtained from HIV negative donors.
Time frame: Day 0
Quantifications of the quantities of mRNA in each cell subpopulation
Quantifications of the mRNAs corresponding to S16 and comparison with the data obtained on D0, S4 and S12, and with those obtained from HIV negative donors.
Time frame: Week 4
Quantifications of the quantities of mRNA in each cell subpopulation
Quantifications of the mRNAs corresponding to S16 and comparison with the data obtained on D0, S4 and S12, and with those obtained from HIV negative donors.
Time frame: Week 12
Quantification of the Global and targeted methylation (promoters of autophagy genes) of DNA
Quantification of the Global and targeted methylation (promoters of autophagy genes) of DNA and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Day 0
Quantification of the Global and targeted methylation (promoters of autophagy genes) of DNA
Quantification of the Global and targeted methylation (promoters of autophagy genes) of DNA and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 4
Quantification of the Global and targeted methylation (promoters of autophagy genes) of DNA
Quantification of the Global and targeted methylation (promoters of autophagy genes) of DNA and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 12
Quantification of the mRNAs for autophagy genes and pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines
Quantification of the mRNAs for autophagy genes and pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Day 0
Quantification of the mRNAs for autophagy genes and pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines
Quantification of the mRNAs for autophagy genes and pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 4
Quantification of the mRNAs for autophagy genes and pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines
Quantification of the mRNAs for autophagy genes and pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 12
Quantification of the dosage of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum and after in vitro activation of PBMCs
Quantification of the dosage of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum and after in vitro activation of PBMCs and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Day 0
Quantification of the dosage of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum and after in vitro activation of PBMCs
Quantification of the dosage of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum and after in vitro activation of PBMCs and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 4
Quantification of the dosage of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum and after in vitro activation of PBMCs
Quantification of the dosage of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in serum and after in vitro activation of PBMCs and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 12
Quantification of the expression of the proteins encoded by these same genes
Quantification of the expression of the proteins encoded by these same genes and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Day 0
Quantification of the expression of the proteins encoded by these same genes
Quantification of the expression of the proteins encoded by these same genes and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 4
Quantification of the expression of the proteins encoded by these same genes
Quantification of the expression of the proteins encoded by these same genes and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 12
Quantification of the autophagic function by detection of positive LC3b vesicles
Quantification of the autophagic function by detection of positive LC3b vesicles and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Day 0
Quantification of the autophagic function by detection of positive LC3b vesicles
Quantification of the autophagic function by detection of positive LC3b vesicles and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 4
Quantification of the autophagic function by detection of positive LC3b vesicles
Quantification of the autophagic function by detection of positive LC3b vesicles and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 12
Quantification of the activation (CD38, HLA-DR) and degree of senescence (CD57, PD1) of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and monocytes (CD16, HLA-DR)
Quantification of the activation (CD38, HLA-DR) and degree of senescence (CD57, PD1) of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and monocytes (CD16, HLA-DR) and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Day 0
Quantification of the activation (CD38, HLA-DR) and degree of senescence (CD57, PD1) of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and monocytes (CD16, HLA-DR)
Quantification of the activation (CD38, HLA-DR) and degree of senescence (CD57, PD1) of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and monocytes (CD16, HLA-DR) and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 4
Quantification of the activation (CD38, HLA-DR) and degree of senescence (CD57, PD1) of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and monocytes (CD16, HLA-DR)
Quantification of the activation (CD38, HLA-DR) and degree of senescence (CD57, PD1) of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and monocytes (CD16, HLA-DR) and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 12
Quantification of T3, T4, T8, NK, NK-T, B populations, monocytes.
Quantification of T3, T4, T8, NK, NK-T, B populations, monocytes and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Day 0
Quantification of T3, T4, T8, NK, NK-T, B populations, monocytes.
Quantification of T3, T4, T8, NK, NK-T, B populations, monocytes and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 4
Quantification of T3, T4, T8, NK, NK-T, B populations, monocytes.
Quantification of T3, T4, T8, NK, NK-T, B populations, monocytes and comparison according to the dose administered
Time frame: Week 12
Measurement of DNA-HIV in PBMCs
Time frame: Day 0
Measurement of DNA-HIV in PBMCs
Time frame: Week 4
Measurement of DNA-HIV in PBMCs
Time frame: Week 12
Incidence and severity of AEs and laboratory abnormalities
Time frame: Week 12
Proportion of patients who discontinued treatment due to AE
Time frame: Week 12
Determination of CBD in the blood at W12, compared to assays S0 and S16
Time frame: Week 12
Quality of life questionnaire
It is a self-assessment quality of life scale comprising 11 questions
Time frame: Day 0
Quality of life questionnaire
It is a self-assessment quality of life scale comprising 11 questions
Time frame: Week 4
Quality of life questionnaire
It is a self-assessment quality of life scale comprising 11 questions
Time frame: Week 12
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