title: Endocannabinoids in the gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: The endocannabinoid system mainly consists of endogenously produced cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) and two G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1and CB2). This system also includes enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids and molecules required for the uptake and transport of endocannabinoids. In addition, endocannabinoid-related lipid mediators and other putative endocannabinoid receptors, such as transient receptor potential channels and other GPCRs, have been identified. Accumulating evidence indicates that the endocannabinoid system is a key modulator of gastrointestinal physiology, influencing satiety, emesis, immune function, mucosal integrity, motility, secretion, and visceral sensation. In light of therapeutic benefits of herbal and synthetic cannabinoids, the vast potential of the endocannabinoid system for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases has been demonstrated. This review focuses on the role of the endocannabinoid system in gut homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of intestinal disorders associated with intestinal motility, inflammation, and cancer. Finally, links between gut microorganisms and the endocannabinoid system are briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea; and.
authors.forename: Yunna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea; and.
authors.forename: Jeongbin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea; and.
authors.forename: Hae Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.affiliation: Section of Inflammatory Bowel Disease & Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California.
authors.forename: Charalabos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pothoulakis
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan, Korea; and eoim@pusan.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Eunok
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Im
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D063388:Endocannabinoids; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2
keywords: cancer; cannabinoid receptor; endocannabinoid; inflammation; intestine