Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Western counties and its abuse is particularlyhigh in male adolescents and young adults. Its main psychotropic component, the cannabinoid delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC), interferes in the endogenous endocannabinoid system. Thissignaling system is involved in the control of many biological activities, including the formation ofhigh-quality male gametes. Direct adverse effects of ∆9-THC in male reproduction are well known inboth animal models and humans. Nevertheless, the possibility of long-term effects due to epigeneticmechanisms has recently been reported. In this review, we summarize the main advances in the fieldsuggesting the need to pay attention to the possible long-term epigenetic risks for the reproductivehealth of cannabis users and the health of their offspring.
Cannabis and Paternal Epigenetic Inheritance / Mazzeo, Filomena; Meccariello, Rosaria. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. - ISSN 1660-4601. - 20:9(2023), pp. 1-14. [10.3390/ijerph20095663]
Cannabis and Paternal Epigenetic Inheritance
Mazzeo, Filomena;
2023-01-01
Abstract
Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Western counties and its abuse is particularlyhigh in male adolescents and young adults. Its main psychotropic component, the cannabinoid delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC), interferes in the endogenous endocannabinoid system. Thissignaling system is involved in the control of many biological activities, including the formation ofhigh-quality male gametes. Direct adverse effects of ∆9-THC in male reproduction are well known inboth animal models and humans. Nevertheless, the possibility of long-term effects due to epigeneticmechanisms has recently been reported. In this review, we summarize the main advances in the fieldsuggesting the need to pay attention to the possible long-term epigenetic risks for the reproductivehealth of cannabis users and the health of their offspring.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
