Biomechanical Effects of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD), the Major Constituents of Cannabis, in a Sprague Dawley Rat Achilles Tendon Surgical Repair Model: A Pilot Study

Background: The use of cannabis is common among athletes and the US population at large. Cannabinoids are currently being evaluated as alternatives to opioid medications for chronic pain management. However, the effects of recreational and/or medical use of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on musculoskeletal injury and healing remain largely unknown.

Hypothesis/purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical effects of CBD and THC on tendon-to-tendon healing in a rat Achilles tendon repair model. The hypothesis was that rats administered CBD would demonstrate decreased tensile load to failure of surgically repaired Achilles tendons compared with the THC and control groups.

Study design: Controlled laboratory study.

Methods: A total of 33 Sprague Dawley rats underwent Achilles tendon surgical transection and repair and were randomized to receive subcutaneous injection of THC, CBD, or vehicle once daily starting on the day of surgery and for 5 total days. After sacrifice, biomechanical tensile load-displacement testing was performed to determine Achilles tendon load to failure and stiffness. Data were analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance.

Results: The THC group demonstrated the highest median load to failure, 18.7 N (95% CI, 15.3-19.2 N); the CBD group had the second highest at 16.9 N (95% CI, 15.1-19.8 N), and the control group had the lowest at 14.4 N (95% CI, 12.1-18.3 N). Stiffness was highest in the THC group at 4.1 N/mm (95% CI, 2.7-5.1 N/mm) compared with 3.6 N/mm (95% CI, 2.9-4.1 N/mm) for the CBD group and 3.6 N/mm (95% CI, 2.8-4.3 N/mm) for the control group. No statistically significant differences for strength and stiffness were observed between the groups.

Conclusion: In this pilot study using an animal tendon-to-tendon repair model, neither THC nor CBD resulted in altered biomechanical characteristics compared to control.

Clinical relevance: Cannabinoids do not appear to adversely affect Achilles tendon healing.

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Work Title Biomechanical Effects of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD), the Major Constituents of Cannabis, in a Sprague Dawley Rat Achilles Tendon Surgical Repair Model: A Pilot Study
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Christopher M. Stauch
  2. Brittany Ammerman
  3. Diana Sepulveda
  4. Michael C. Aynardi
  5. Matthew R. Garner
  6. Gregory S. Lewis
  7. Daniel J. Morgan
  8. Aman Dhawan
Keyword
  1. Biological healing enhancement
  2. Biomechanics
  3. Cannabis
  4. Rat
  5. Tendon
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. The American Journal of Sports Medicine
Publication Date June 7, 2021
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1177/03635465211016840
Deposited January 30, 2023

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Version 1
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  • Created
  • Added Biomechanical_Effects_of_Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol__THC__and_Cannabidiol__CBD___the_Major_Constituents_of_Cannabis__in_a_Sprague_Dawley_Rat_Achilles_Tendon_Surgical_Repair_Model__A_Pilot_Study.pdf
  • Added Creator C M Stauch
  • Added Creator B Ammerman
  • Added Creator D Sepulveda
  • Added Creator M Aynardi
  • Added Creator M Garner
  • Added Creator G Stephen Lewis
  • Added Creator D James Morgan
  • Added Creator Aman Dhawan
  • Published
  • Updated Keyword, Publisher, Publication Date Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Biological healing enhancement, Biomechanics, Cannabis, Rat, Tendon
    Publisher
    • The Journal of sports medicine
    • The American Journal of Sports Medicine
    Publication Date
    • 2021-07-01
    • 2021-06-07
  • Renamed Creator Christopher M. Stauch Show Changes
    • C M Stauch
    • Christopher M. Stauch
  • Renamed Creator Brittany Ammerman Show Changes
    • B Ammerman
    • Brittany Ammerman
  • Renamed Creator Diana Sepulveda Show Changes
    • D Sepulveda
    • Diana Sepulveda
  • Renamed Creator Michael C. Aynardi Show Changes
    • M Aynardi
    • Michael C. Aynardi
  • Renamed Creator Matthew R. Garner Show Changes
    • M Garner
    • Matthew R. Garner
  • Renamed Creator Gregory S. Lewis Show Changes
    • G Stephen Lewis
    • Gregory S. Lewis
  • Renamed Creator Daniel J. Morgan Show Changes
    • D James Morgan
    • Daniel J. Morgan
  • Updated Description Show Changes
    Description
    • Background: The use of cannabis is common among athletes and the US population at large. Cannabinoids are currently being evaluated as alternatives to opioid medications for chronic pain management. However, the effects of recreational and/or medical use of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) on musculoskeletal injury and healing remain largely unknown.
    • Hypothesis/purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical effects of CBD and THC on tendon-to-tendon healing in a rat Achilles tendon repair model. The hypothesis was that rats administered CBD would demonstrate decreased tensile load to failure of surgically repaired Achilles tendons compared with the THC and control groups.
    • Study design: Controlled laboratory study.
    • Methods: A total of 33 Sprague Dawley rats underwent Achilles tendon surgical transection and repair and were randomized to receive subcutaneous injection of THC, CBD, or vehicle once daily starting on the day of surgery and for 5 total days. After sacrifice, biomechanical tensile load-displacement testing was performed to determine Achilles tendon load to failure and stiffness. Data were analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance.
    • Results: The THC group demonstrated the highest median load to failure, 18.7 N (95% CI, 15.3-19.2 N); the CBD group had the second highest at 16.9 N (95% CI, 15.1-19.8 N), and the control group had the lowest at 14.4 N (95% CI, 12.1-18.3 N). Stiffness was highest in the THC group at 4.1 N/mm (95% CI, 2.7-5.1 N/mm) compared with 3.6 N/mm (95% CI, 2.9-4.1 N/mm) for the CBD group and 3.6 N/mm (95% CI, 2.8-4.3 N/mm) for the control group. No statistically significant differences for strength and stiffness were observed between the groups.
    • Conclusion: In this pilot study using an animal tendon-to-tendon repair model, neither THC nor CBD resulted in altered biomechanical characteristics compared to control.
    • Clinical relevance: Cannabinoids do not appear to adversely affect Achilles tendon healing.
    • Keywords: biological healing enhancement; biomechanics; cannabis; rat; tendon.
    • Clinical relevance: Cannabinoids do not appear to adversely affect Achilles tendon healing.
  • Updated