Cannabinoids: Implications in Liver Disease

CALTANA LAURA; BRUSCO, ALICIA

Chronic Liver Disease: From Molecular Biology to Therapy

NOVA

Lugar: Hardcover; Año: 2016; p. 97 - 104

Cannabinoid receptors, their endogenous ligands and the enzymes for synthesis and degradation are the components of the endocannabinoid system. Furthermore, there are natural and synthetic cannabinoids, as phytocannabinoids (including THC or cannabidiol) and synthetic cannabinoids. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) is expressed in liver including hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells while Cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) is expressed in hepatocytes in patients with cirrhosis.eCBs and CB1R are up-regulated in experimental model liver disease, as hepatocarcinoma. Phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids has anti-proliferative effect in cancer cells, inhibiting proliferation and stimulating apoptosis in cancer cell lines.The experimental data remains controversial about cannabinoids and hepatic protection, for example, while CB1R is related in the development of steatosis, CBR2 shows a protective effect in damaged liver. Cannabinoid treatment of liver pathologies need to take care about the possibility of produce psychiatric disorders due to its psychotropic effects. Cannabidiol is a promissory compound without this psychotropic effect.