Circulating endogenous cannabinoid anandamide and portal, systemic and renal hemodynamics in cirrhosis.
BACKGROUND
Endocannabinoids may participate in the homeostasis of arterial pressure. Recently, anandamide, the most extensively studied endocannabinoid, has been proposed as a key mediator in the peripheral arterial vasodilation of cirrhosis.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if circulating levels of anandamide are related to the extent of the peripheral arterial vasodilation, the severity of portal hypertension and the degree of liver and renal dysfunction of patients with cirrhosis.


METHODS
Plasma levels of anandamide and several systemic, portal and renal hemodynamic parameters were determined in 18 patients with cirrhosis and eight healthy subjects (control group).


RESULTS
Plasma levels of anandamide were elevated in patients compared to the control group (P<0.05), nevertheless, no differences between patients with ascites and well-compensated patients were found. There was no correlation between anandamide concentration and arterial pressure, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance, Child-Pugh's score, portal pressure, renal vascular resistance, plasma renin activity or plasma aldosterone concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
Circulating levels of anandamide are increased in cirrhotic patients. However, this elevation was unrelated to the extent of arterial vasodilation, the severity of portal hypertension or the degree of hepatic and renal dysfunction. Although a local hormonal action cannot be excluded, our results do not support a relevant contribution of this system in the hemodynamic disturbance of cirrhosis.
Unit of Gastroenterology and Laboratory of Research, Fundación Hospital Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain. cfernandez@fhalcorcon.es
Conrado M
CM
Fernández-Rodriguez
Julian
J
Romero
Timothy J
TJ
Petros
Heather
H
Bradshaw
José M
JM
Gasalla
Maria Luisa
ML
Gutiérrez
José L
JL
Lledó
Cecilio
C
Santander
Teresa Pérez
TP
Fernández
Esperanza
E
Tomás
Guillermo
G
Cacho
J Michael
JM
Walker
D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000097:blood*; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; C078814:anandamide