Cannabis Use Moderates Methamphetamine- and HIV-Related Inflammation: Evidence from Human Plasma Markers

Methamphetamine use, which is disproportionately prevalent among people with HIV, increases risk for cardio- and neurovascular pathology through persistent immune activation and inflammation. Preclinical studies indicate that cannabinoids may reduce markers of pro-inflammatory processes, but data from people with chronic inflammatory conditions are limited. We examined potentially interacting associations of lifetime methamphetamine use disorder (MUD), recent cannabis use, and HIV with four plasma markers of immune and inflammatory functions.

Participants with HIV (PWH, n = 86) and without HIV (PWoH, n = 148) provided urine and blood samples and completed neuromedical, psychiatric, and substance use assessments. Generalized linear models examined main and conditional associations of lifetime MUD, past-month cannabis use, and HIV with plasma concentrations of CXCL10/IP-10, CCL2/MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1.

PWH displayed higher CXCL10/IP-10 than PWoH. Past-month cannabis use was independently associated with lower CXCL10/IP-10 levels and conditionally lower CCL2/MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 levels among people with lifetime MUD, but only PWoH displayed cannabis-associated lower VCAM-1 levels.

Human plasma sample evidence suggests that cannabis use is associated with lower levels of immune and inflammatory molecules in the context of MUD or HIV. Cannabinoid pathways may be worthwhile clinical targets for treating sequelae of chronic inflammatory conditions.