Professors Lee Ann MacMillan-Crow and Paul Prather are the recipients of a Barton Pilot Award. “Characterization of synthetic cannabinoid-induced mitochondrial dysfunction leading to renal injury” is funded for $25,000 for one year beginning January 1, 2021. K2” and “Spice” are products sold as “synthetic marijuana”; however, contain dangerous synthetic cannabinoids (SCBs).
In addition to producing a variety of toxic effects, SCBs induce acute kidney injury (AKI) via unknown mechanisms. The studies funded by this award will test the hypothesis that SCBs induce renal mitochondrial dysfunction via mechanisms involving Cannabinoid Type 1 (CB1) receptor-mediated induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS).