[Endogenous cannabinoids in liver disease: Many darts for a single target].
Endogenous cannabinoids are ubiquitous lipid-signaling molecules able to partially mimic the actions produced by Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound responsible for most of the psychological effects of marijuana. Endocannabinoids are derived from arachidonic acid and are involved in many physiological effects. This family of substances includes anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide), 2-arachydonylglycerol, noladin ether and virodhamine. The interaction of these substances with CB1 and CB2 receptors results in most of their biological effects. The endocannabinoid system is involved in the pathogenesis of the cardiovascular dysfunction occurring in advanced liver disease and also plays a role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension and liver fibrosis. Moreover, this system is also altered in other processes associated with hepatic dysfunction, including encephalopathy, obesity and steatosis. These findings indicate that the endocannabinoid system may open new avenues for the therapeutic regulation of fibrosis and portal hypertension in advanced liver disease.
Reichenbach
Vedrana
V
Servicio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, CIBEREHD, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínico, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, España.
Ros
Josefa
J
Jiménez
Wladimiro
W
D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001201:Ascites / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008106:Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D005227:Fatty Acids; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases