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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

To the Editor: In vitro studies and experiments in animal models have found that cannabinoids modulate immune cell function.¹ However, investigations of immune effects in human subjects are scarce and contradictory. Gene expression of cannabinoid receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be altered among marijuana users.² Experimental data in healthy persons have found abnormalities in T lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell function, but have not confirmed that these alterations might affect susceptibility to infections.³ We sought to investigate cell-mediated immune response and cytokine release in cannabis users.

Methods. Participants were recruited by word of mouth and gave written consent to participate in the study, which was approved by our institutional ethical committee and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Volunteers were deemed healthy after a full medical history and examination. They were then interviewed about their recent use of illicit drugs, and their statements were confirmed . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Roberta Pacifici, PhD; Piergiorgio Zuccaro, PhD; Simona Pichini, PhD
Laboratorio Biochimica Clinica
Istituto Superiore di Sanitá (ISS)
Rome, Italy

Pere N. Roset, MD, PhD; Sandra Poudevida, PhD; Magí Farré, MD, PhD
Unit of Pharmacology
Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica (IMIM)
Autonomous University of Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain

Jordi Segura, PhD; Rafael de la Torre, PharmD, PhD
Unit of Pharmacology
Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica (IMIM)
Pompeu Fabra University
Barcelona

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RELATED LETTER

Cannabinoids and Immune Function
Joep Killestein, Bernard M. J. Uitdehaag, and Chris H. Polman
JAMA. 2003;290(6):754.
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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Cannabinoids and Immune Function
Killestein et al.
JAMA 2003;290:754-754.
FULL TEXT