Abstract
IntroductionThe link between cannabis use and erectile dysfunction remains unclear. Moreover, the effect of cannabis in tandem with current Western dietary habits is an area in male sexual health that has yet to be explored. This study seeks to investigate the impact of diet and cannabis on penile health in an animal model.AimTo determine the effects of diet and oral cannabis extract on fibrosis and oxidative stress within the corpora cavernosa of mice.MethodsThis is a pilot animal study in which groups of 2-month old C57BL/6J male mice were fed a normal chow diet (NCD) or high-fat diet (HFD) daily and treated with or without either MJ or THC extract for 2 months. After euthanization, mouse penises were isolated and processed for immunohistochemical studies to determine: (i) smooth muscle cell to collagen content, (ii) myofibroblast proliferation, and (iii) anti-oxidative activity.Main Outcome MeasuresQuantitative assessment of immunohistochemical markers of fibrosis and oxidative stress within the corpora cavernosa of mice fed a high-fat diet in combination with either oral marijuana (MJ) or Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol extract (THC).ResultsThe combination of HFD with MJ resulted in: (i) a decrease in the smooth/collagen ratio in the corpora cavernosa, (ii) an increase in alpha-smooth muscle actin expression in the tunica albuginea compatible with myofibroblast proliferation, and (iii) a decrease in heme oxygenase 1 expression indicating an increase in oxidative stress. Significant histological changes were not observed in the HFD + THC group.ConclusionsHFD combined with oral MJ extract led to structural alterations in erectile tissue that are associated with accelerated corporal fibrosis. However, the addition of THC to the diet did not exacerbate histological changes within the corpora. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the discrepant effects between MJ and THC in order to optimize the therapeutic potential of cannabis and minimize its adverse effects on penile health.S Nguyen, M Mangubat, S Eleswarapu, et al. The Combination of High-Fat Diet and Oral Marijuana Promotes the Development of Fibrosis in the Mouse Corpora Cavernosa. Sex Med 2021;9:100312.
Highlights
The link between cannabis use and erectile dysfunction remains unclear
Animal Body Weight After 2 months of treatment, a higher body weight was observed in the high-fat diet (HFD) animal groups compared to the normal chow diet (NCD) groups (P < .0001)
The addition of MJ or tetrahydrocannabinol extract (THC) treatment to diet did not lead to significant body weight changes in the animals compared to their counterparts from the control NCD or HFD only groups (Figure 1)
Summary
The link between cannabis use and erectile dysfunction remains unclear. the effect of cannabis in tandem with current Western dietary habits is an area in male sexual health that has yet to be explored. Aim: To determine the effects of diet and oral cannabis extract on fibrosis and oxidative stress within the corpora cavernosa of mice. Main Outcome Measures: Quantitative assessment of immunohistochemical markers of fibrosis and oxidative stress within the corpora cavernosa of mice fed a high-fat diet in combination with either oral marijuana (MJ) or D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol extract (THC). According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health in the United States, approximately 22.2 million Americans aged 12 and older reported current marijuana use within the past month, with a predominant prevalence of use in males between the ages of 18 and 25 years old Research on cannabis both as medical therapy and on its adverse health effects is still nascent.[3,4]
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