Mutluay, DuyguTenekeci, Gozde YucelAmbarcioglu, PinarUslu, Sema2024-10-262024-10-2620240025-8628https://doi.org/10.21521/mw.6860https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12418/30330Synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 is a potent cannabinoid receptor agonist that plays a role in the immune system. It is a substance whose consumption is rising globally. While numerous studies have explored the impact of cannabinoids on immunity, limited information exists regarding the immunosuppressive effects on T cells within spleen tissue. Hence, this study aims to investigate the effects of JWH-018 on CD cells in the spleen. Thirty male CD -1 mice were categorized into three groups: the sham group (G1), the ethanol group (G2), and the JWH-018 group (G3). These animals received treatments of saline, ethanol, and JWH-018 (0.3 mg/kg) respectively for 9 consecutive days, after which all groups were sacrificed on day 2. Our findings revealed a statistically significant weight loss in G3 compared to G2, whereas a weight gain was observed in G1 and G2. Except for one animal, no significant histopathological changes were detected in the control and treatment groups. However, the treatment group exhibited a notable decrease in white pulp size. Moreover, we demonstrated that JWH-018 can induce apoptosis, leading to a decrease in CD3, CD4, and CD8 expression in T cells, which may result in immunosuppression in vivo in T lymphocytes. These results collectively suggest that exposure to JWH-018 can lead to the suppression of CD3, CD4, and CD8 expression by inducing apoptosis. Consequently, the results of this study show that JWH-018 may have a potential for use as an immunosuppressant in various medical conditions, particularly in autoimmune diseases or situations requiring immune system suppression.en10.21521/mw.6860info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessJWH-018immunityimmunosuppressionspleensynthetic cannabinoidArticle8041671612-s2.0-85186679784Q3WOS:001175877200003N/A