Alteration of the viral immune response in the lung of juvenile rats by cannabidiol

Cannabidiol (CBD) has unverified use in the treatment of ADHD but parents are giving CBD to their children to treat hyperactivity and restlessness. CBD has suppressive effects on immune function therapeutically but the effect of pre-exposure to CBD on the response to an immune challenge is unknown. To investigate this, male and female juvenile rats were treated orally with either corn oil or 20 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg CBD daily for 5 days followed 24 hours later by intranasal challenge with a viral mimic, Resiquimod (R848). After 6 hours, lungs were collected for the analysis of gene expression of select cytokines. Pretreatment with CBD did not alter the R848-induced expression of IL-4, TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-18, or TGF-1β. However, pretreatment with CBD suppressed the R848-induced expression of IL-1β, IL-8, MIP-2, IL-10, and IL-6. Our data suggest that prior exposure of juveniles to CBD alters the innate immune response in the lungs