Plasma C-reactive protein is lower among marijuana using HIV-negative individuals but not among persons living with HIV

Ethan Morgan,Richard D'Aquila,Hannah Hudson,Brian Mustanski

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-84352-0

Ethan Morgan, Richard D'Aquila + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84352-0

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Abstract

The use of marijuana is highly prevalent among young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Past work has also shown that inflammation is elevated among YMSM, independent of HIV status. Here, we aim to examine the relationship between marijuana use and inflammation among this high-risk cohort, relative to use of other substances. Data were collected among YMSM aged 16–29 in Chicago. Multiplex cytokine and inflammatory biomarker assays were run on plasma from all persons living with HIV (PLWH) (n = 195) and a subset of HIV-negative participants (n = 489). Bivariate analyses and multivariable models assessed relationships between various substances and inflammatory biomarkers. Models were stratified by HIV status and adjusted for demographic characteristics. Most participants reported use of marijuana in the past 30 days (416, 60.8%). Mean blood C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were above the upper limit of normal (3.0 mg/L), indicative of increased risk for cardiovascular disease (mean CRP was 3.9 mg/L; SD = 8.5). In adjusted, stratified analyses, CRP was significantly lower among participants reporting frequent marijuana use (≥ 6 times per month), relative to those reporting never using marijuana, (β = − 0.38; 95% CI: − 0.73, − 0.03). However, this was entirely accounted for by an association among the HIV-negative participants and there was no significant association between marijuana use and blood CRP level among the PLWH. In summary, YMSM had markedly elevated marijuana use and blood CRP levels. Frequent marijuana use was associated with lower inflammation among only those not diagnosed with HIV. Further research is needed to explicate why there are differences between HIV-negative participants and PLWH and to leverage this information to characterize biological mechanisms by which marijuana decreases inflammation.

Highlights

Developing a better understanding of how to reduce inflammation is clinically significant as consistently elevated levels of inflammation are associated with multiple aging-associated chronic d iseases[1]
This is significant in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH), among whom accelerated onset and increased severity of these “non-AIDS associated comorbidities” is an increasing disease b urden[2,3]
Despite the well established role that C-reactive protein (CRP)-associated inflammation plays in chronic disease o utcomes[5,6], and recent reports that it is elevated among young men who have sex with men and transgender women (YMSM/TGW) as a p opulation[7,8], research in this area concerning health implications among YMSM/TGW is limited[7]

Summary

Introduction

Developing a better understanding of how to reduce inflammation is clinically significant as consistently elevated levels of inflammation are associated with multiple aging-associated chronic d iseases[1] This is significant in persons living with HIV (PLWH), among whom accelerated onset and increased severity of these “non-AIDS associated comorbidities” is an increasing disease b urden[2,3]. The use of nicotine and heavy alcohol use have been found to contribute to elevated levels of systemic inflammation, whether measured by CRP or pro-inflammatory cytokines[20,22] This body of research, has focused primarily on inflammation among the general adult population and does not directly address the higher rate of substance use among YMSM/TGW2 3, as their patterns of substance use differ from the patterns observed among older MSM in terms of more frequent use of marijuana[24]

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