Kidney Week 2025 Annual Meeting-Impacts of Nicotine, Cannabinoids, and Opioids on Kidney Health

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This ASN session on nicotine, cannabinoids, and opioids in kidney health featured three talks highlighting emerging cardio-renal risks and mechanisms.<br /><br />Dr. Mark Chandy reviewed cannabis history, rising THC potency, and the endocannabinoid system (CB1/CB2). He presented evidence linking cannabis use with cardiovascular events (MI, stroke, arrhythmias), likely mediated by endothelial inflammation and oxidative stress. Using UK Biobank data, human plasma after a single joint, iPSC-derived endothelial cells, and LDLR-knockout mice, his group found THC increases inflammatory cytokines and accelerates atherosclerosis. A low–brain-penetrant CB1 antagonist, genistein (a soy-derived compound), reduced THC-driven inflammation and plaque in models, motivating translational studies of chronic users and inflammatory conditions (e.g., HIV, heart failure).<br /><br />Dr. Analia Loria discussed the fentanyl-driven opioid crisis and prenatal exposure. In rat models (morphine dosing and fentanyl self-administration during pregnancy), adult offspring developed higher blood pressure, reduced heart-rate variability, sympathetic overactivity, and impaired renal function (reduced GFR, increased albuminuria). Neural mapping implicated chronic activation of autonomic circuits including the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) and RVLM. Targeted PBN mu-opioid receptor antagonism improved GFR, suggesting a neurogenic, mu-receptor-dependent component. Re-exposure to fentanyl in adulthood produced exaggerated hypotension/bradycardia, implying heightened risk.<br /><br />Dr. Alexander Staruschenko showed kidney-specific opioid signaling: kappa-opioid receptor activation in podocytes raises intracellular calcium via TRPC6 channels, disrupts cytoskeleton, increases albuminuria, and worsens hypertension in rats. The findings suggest kappa–TRPC6 signaling may contribute to glomerular injury and could be a therapeutic target.

Asset Subtitle

Moderator(s): Daria Ilatovskaya, Joshua Rein

Presentation(s):

Role of Cannabinoids in Vascular Function and Inflammation - Mark Chandy
Prenatal Fentanyl Exposure, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk - Analia Loria
Mechanisms of Opioid Signaling in Hypertension and Kidney Diseases - Alexander Staruschenko
Redox-Mediated Kidney Damage Evoked by Nicotine Consumption - Oleg Palygin

Meta Tag

Date 11/9/2025

Pathway 1 Hypertension and Cardiorenal Disorders

Pathway 2 Kidney Biology and Physiology

Session ID 505260

Keywords

ASN session

kidney health

cannabis THC potency

endocannabinoid system

CB1 receptor

cardiovascular events

endothelial inflammation

oxidative stress

atherosclerosis

genistein CB1 antagonist

opioid crisis fentanyl

prenatal opioid exposure

sympathetic overactivity

glomerular injury albuminuria

kappa opioid receptor TRPC6 podocytes