Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P21554 (cannabinoid receptor)
3,582 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In the past two decades, cannabinoids have emerged as crucial mediators in a variety of pathophysiological conditions. Awareness of their critical functions in liver pathophysiology is only recent, probably given the low level of expression of cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1 receptor) and type 2 (CB2 receptor) in normal liver. However, it has been shown that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis are associated to a marked upregulation of the hepatic endocannabinoid system, including increases in endocannabinoids and in hepatic CB receptors, both in humans and in rodents. Consequently, a growing number of cannabinoid-related hepatic effects are being unravelled. Hence, hepatic CB1 receptors enhance liver steatogenesis in a mouse model of high fat-induced obesity, and contribute to peripheral arterial vasodilation in cirrhosis, thereby promoting portal hypertension. In addition, CB1 and CB2 receptors elicit dual opposite effects on fibrogenesis associated to chronic liver injury, by promoting pro- and antifibrogenic effects, respectively. Therefore, endocannabinoid-based therapies may open novel therapeutic avenues in the treatment of chronic liver diseases.
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PMID:Endocannabinoids as novel mediators of liver diseases. 1675 9

There is growing evidence that glucose metabolism in the liver is in part under the control of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which is also supported by its presence in this organ. The ECS consists of its cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) and enzymes that are responsible for endocannabinoid production and metabolism. ECS is known to be differentially influenced by the hepatic glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, e.g., cannabinoid receptor type 1(CB1) antagonist can improve the glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. Interestingly, our own study shows that expression patterns of CBRs are influenced by the light/dark cycle, which is of significant physiological and clinical interest. The ECS system is highly upregulated during chronic liver disease and a growing number of studies suggest a mechanistic and therapeutic impact of ECS on the development of liver fibrosis, especially putting its receptors into focus. An opposing effect of the CBRs was exerted via the CB1 or CB2 receptor stimulation. An activation of CB1 promoted fibrogenesis, while CB2 activation improved antifibrogenic responses. However, underlying mechanisms are not yet clear. In the context of liver diseases, the ECS is considered as a possible mediator, which seems to be involved in the synthesis of fibrotic tissue, increase of intrahepatic vascular resistance and subsequently development of portal hypertension. Portal hypertension is the main event that leads to complications of the disease. The main complication is the development of variceal bleeding and ascites, which have prognostic relevance for the patients. The present review summarizes the current understanding and impact of the ECS on glucose metabolism in the liver, in association with the development of liver cirrhosis and hemodynamics in cirrhosis and its complication, to give perspectives for development of new therapeutic strategies.
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PMID:Endocannabinoid System in Hepatic Glucose Metabolism, Fatty Liver Disease, and Cirrhosis. 3112 39