Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04971837

Interaction Between Cannabidiol, Meal Ingestion, and Liver Function

According to a recent consumer poll, over 20 million Americans regularly use cannabidiol (CBD). Moreover, 64 million Americans (over 25% of the population) report trying CBD at least once within the previous 2 years. Since the passing of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act, the use of hemp-derived products, such as CBD, is highly prevalent across North America. The acceleration of the use of CBD has outpaced our understanding of the associated potential risks and benefits, and the way it is processed within the body.

In the current proposed project, investigators wish to continue our ongoing collaboration with Caliper Foods, a Colorado-based manufacturer of CBD products. The focus of this project is three-fold: (1) investigators will compare the pharmacokinetics of different formulations of ingestible CBD; (2) investigators will examine the potential two-way interaction between a meal and one formulation of ingestible CBD; and, (3) investigators will examine the influence of different formulations of CBD on markers of liver function.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Metabolism Liver Function Pharmacokinetics

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Colorado State University, Dept. of Health and Exercise Science

Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523-1582, United States

About this study

Pharmacokinetics describes the speed in which something that is ingested is made available within the body (i.e. bioavailability).There are many different preparations/formulations of CBD and they may differ from one another with regards to their pharmacokinetics. One important consideration when evaluating CBD formulations is the pharmacokinetic goal and intended use. For example, if the indication for the CBD is to treat acute pain, then a faster time to peak concentration (Tmax) and higher maximal concentration (Cmax) may be desirable, and also may help to decrease the risk of overdose due to premature repeat self administration. Alternatively, as a chronic treatment for anxiety, a larger area under the curve (AUC) may be preferable if a user follows a regular dosing schedule.

One purpose of the proposed project is to compare the pharmacokinetics of different formulations of CBD. The formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble).

Several previous studies have demonstrated an influence of eating on the pharmacokinetics of ingested CBD. The general consensus appears to be that prior ingestion of a high-fat meal increases the maximal concentration of circulating CBD (Cmax) and lowers the time to attain peak circulating concentration (Tmax).

One purpose of the proposed project is to study the influence of a standardized meal on the pharmacokinetics of a CBD formulation.

Little is known about the influence of ingested CBD on postprandial metabolism. The thermic effect of feeding (i.e. the increase in metabolic rate above resting metabolism) is considered an important physiological determinant of energy balance, and therefore also of weight gain or loss. Further, the dynamics of circulating glucose and triglycerides following a meal are reflective of metabolic health and predictive of future cardiometabolic disease risk. CBD has been purported to have a variety of beneficial physiological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Either of these individual properties alone could favorably modify postprandial metabolism, given that CBD potentially does both, it appears likely that CBD might improve the physiological regulation of postprandial metabolism.

One purpose of the proposed project is to determine the influence of CBD on postprandial metabolism.

The liver plays a critical regulatory role in postprandial metabolism, and also with the physiological processing of cannabinoids. The relationship between the use of cannabinoids and liver health is unclear. While early studies implied that exposure of the liver to very high daily dosing of cannabinoids may be detrimental, more recent studies are suggesting that some cannabinoids, including CBD, may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The acute effects of low dose CBD (e.g. 30 mg) on liver function in healthy adults have not been well described, and may be influenced by the formulation of the CBD product (i.e. whether it is water or lipid soluble).

One purpose of the proposed project is to determine the acute influence of different formulations of CBD on circulating markers of liver function.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants must be greater than 18 years of age
  • Weigh more than 110 pounds
  • Have a body mass index greater than 25kg/m^2
  • Be free of any gastrointestinal or metabolic diseases
  • Be able to refrain from use of any Cannabis or cannabis containing products for three days prior to participating in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Less than 18 years of age
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Food allergies
  • Autoimmune disorders or with compromised immune function,
  • Celiac disease
  • Inflammatory bowel Diseases
  • Gastrointestinal cancers
  • Diabetes
  • HIV
  • Adverse reactions to ingesting Cannabis spp. or cannabis-containing products (including, but not limited to, marijuana, CBD oils, or CBD/THC containing food products)
  • Taking any of the follow medications: steroids, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, antihistamines, HIV antivirals, immune modulators, benzodiazepines, antiarrythmics, antibiotics, anesthetics, antipsychotics, antidepressants, anti-epileptics, beta blockers, proton pump inhibitors, NSAIDs, angiotension II blockers, oral hypoglycemic agents, and sulfonylureas.

Treatment and study plan

Cannabidiol (CBD) powder formulation

Dietary Supplement

T-P-S-10 Caliper powder - 30 mg CBD in the form of 300 mg of 10% CBD isolate (Formulation 725: Water soluble.Contains sorbitol)

Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil based tincture formulation

Dietary Supplement

30 mg CBD isolate in MCT oil,1:1 ratio of CBD to Medium Chain Triglycerides oil. (Formulation 088: Not water soluble. Contains medium chain triglyceride coconut oil.)

Cannabidiol (CBD) Gum Arabic, maltodextrin base formulation

Dietary Supplement

10% CBD Gum Arabic, maltodextrin base(Formulation 126: Water soluble. Contains gum arabic and maltodextrin)

Cannabidiol (CBD) Gum Arabic, sorbitol base formulation

Dietary Supplement

10% CBD Gum Arabic, sorbitol base (Formulation 213: Water soluble. Contains gum arabic and sorbitol)

Cannabidiol (CBD) Isolate in water formulation

Dietary Supplement

Pure CBD as crystalline powder (>99% purity) (Formulation 625 Not water soluble)

CBD matching Placebo

Dietary Supplement

Matching Placebo

Primary outcomes

  1. Pharmacokinetic Time to Maximum Concentration- (Tmax) for Different Formulations of CBD

    Time frame: Venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours to calculate Tmax (minutes).

  2. Pharmacokinetic Maximum Concentration-(Cmax) for Different Formulations of CBD

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours to calculate Cmax (ng/mL).

  3. Pharmacokinetic Area Under the Curve Representing Total Cannabidiol Exposure Between 0 and 4 h (AUC 0-4) for Different Formulations of CBD

    Time frame: Venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours to calculate AUC 0-4 (min x ng/mL).

  4. Pharmacokinetic Area Under the Curve an Estimate of Total Exposure to CBD Over Time (AUC 0-inf) for Different Formulations of CBD

    Time frame: Venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours to calculate AUC 0-inf (mins x ng/mL).

  5. Pharmacokinetic Amount of Time it Takes to Decrease the Circulating Concentration to Half of Its Initial Value (t1/2) for Different Formulations of CBD

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours to calculate t1/2 (mins).

  6. Pharmacokinetic Rate at Which CBD is Absorbed Into the Body (Ka) for Different Formulations of CBD

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours to calculate Ka(1/h).

  7. Pharmacokinetic Rate at Which CBD is Removed From the Body (Ke) for Different Formulations of CBD

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours to calculate Ke (1/h).

  8. CBD Pharmacokinetic Volume of Distribution- (Vd) for Different Formulations of CBD

    Time frame: Venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours to calculate Vd (L).

  9. Pharmacokinetic Parameter Tmax of a Formulation 725 After a Standardized Meal

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal, determine if a high-fat meal impacts the time to attain peak circulating concentration Tmax (mins).

  10. Pharmacokinetic Parameter Cmax of a Formulation 725 After a Standardized Meal

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal, determine if a high-fat meal impacts maximal concentration of circulating CBD Cmax (ng/L).

  11. Pharmacokinetic Parameter AUC 0-4 of Formulation 725 After a Standardized Meal

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal, determine if a high-fat meal impacts maximal concentration of circulating CBD AUC 0-4 (min x ng/mL).

  12. Pharmacokinetic Parameter AUC 0-inf of Formulation 725 After a Standardized Meal

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal, determine if a high-fat meal impacts maximal concentration of circulating CBD AUC 0-inf (min x ng/mL).

  13. Pharmacokinetic Parameter t1/2 of Formulation 725 After a Standardized Meal

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal, determine if a high-fat meal impacts maximal concentration of circulating CBD t1/2 (h).

  14. Pharmacokinetic Parameter Ka of Formulation 725 After a Standardized Meal

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal, determine if a high-fat meal impacts maximal concentration of circulating CBD Ka (1/h).

  15. Pharmacokinetic Parameter Ke of Formulation 725 After a Standardized Meal

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal, determine if a high-fat meal impacts maximal concentration of circulating CBD Ke (1/h).

  16. Pharmacokinetic Parameter Vd of Formulation 725 After a Standardized Meal

    Time frame: venous blood will be sampled at standardized intervals over 4-hours: 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes and will be analyzed to compare circulating CBD concentration.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal, determine if a high-fat meal impacts maximal concentration of circulating CBD Vd (L).

  17. Ingested CBD on Postprandial Metabolism Via Indirect Calorimetry

    Time frame: Randomized visit Including a test meal collected during 235 minutes of TEF

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal Thermic Effect of Feeding (TEF) Under the Curve was calculated from standardized intervals prior to and after ingestion of a liquid meal and a single dose of Formulation 725.

  18. Ingested CBD on Postprandial Metabolism Via Measurements of Glucose

    Time frame: Compare 2 randomized visits Including a test meal collected at baseline,10,20,30,45,60,90,120,150,180,210, and 240 minutes.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal, glucose Area Under the Curve was calculated from standardized intervals after ingestion of a liquid meal and a single dose of Formulation 725.

  19. Ingested CBD on Postprandial Metabolism Via Measurements of Insulin

    Time frame: Compare 2 randomized visits Including a test meal collected at baseline,10,20,30,45,60,90,120,150,180,210, and 240 minutes.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal insulin Area Under the Curve was calculated from standardized intervals after ingestion of a liquid meal and a single dose of Formulation 725.

  20. Ingested CBD on Postprandial Metabolism Via Measurements of Triglycerides

    Time frame: Compare 2 randomized visits Including a test meal collected at baseline,10,20,30,45,60,90,120,150,180,210, and 240 minutes.

    At the 2 randomized visits Including a Test Meal triglyceride Area Under the Curve was calculated from standardized intervals after ingestion of a liquid meal and a single dose of Formulation 725.

  21. Acute Influence of Liver Function, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), With the Different Formulations of CBD.

    Time frame: Change from baseline at time 0, 60, 240 minutes for each formulation, visits separated by 14 days

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be collected at standardized intervals and analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

  22. Acute Influence of Liver Function, Albumin, for Different Formulations of CBD.

    Time frame: Change from baseline at time 0, 60, 240 minutes for each formulation, visits separated by 14 days

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be collected at standardized intervals and analyzed for albumin.

  23. Acute Influence of Liver Function, Alkaline Phosphatase, With the Different Formulations of CBD.

    Time frame: Change from baseline at time 0, 60, 240 minutes for each formulation, visits separated by 14 days

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be collected at standardized intervals and analyzed for alkaline phosphatase.

  24. Acute Influence of Liver Function, Aspartate Aminotransferase, With the Different Formulations of CBD.

    Time frame: Change from baseline at time 0, 60, 240 minutes for each formulation, visits separated by 14 days

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be collected at standardized intervals and analyzed for aspartate aminotransferase.

  25. Acute Influence of Liver Function, Total Bilirubin, With the Different Formulations of CBD.

    Time frame: Change from baseline at time 0, 60, 240 minutes for each formulation, visits separated by 14 days

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be collected at standardized intervals and analyzed for total bilirubin.

  26. Acute Influence of Kidney Function, Blood Urea, With the Different Formulations of CBD.

    Time frame: Change from baseline at time 0, 60, 240 minutes for each formulation, visits separated by 14 days

    The different formulations will be standardized for CBD dose (30 mg) but will differ in their preparation (e.g. water vs. fat-soluble). At the 5 randomized Visits Not Including A Test Meal venous blood will be collected at standardized intervals and analyzed for blood urea.

  27. CBD on Postprandial Metabolism Via Indirect Calorimetry

    Time frame: Compare 2 randomized visits Including a test meal collected during 45 minutes of resting metabolic rate

    At the 2 randomized visits including a Resting Metabolic Rate prior to and after ingestion of a single dose of Formulation 725 or placebo.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Colorado State University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Jul 22, 2021
Registry last updated
Nov 15, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.