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Published on: December 29, 2021
Cannabinoid signaling and liver therapeutics
Ariane Mallat1, Fatima Teixeira-Clerc, Sophie Lotersztajn
1INSERM, U955, Créteil 94000, France; Université Paris-Est, UMR-S955, UPEC, Créteil 94000, France; AP-HP, Hôpital H. Mondor-A. Chenevier, Dept d'Hépatologie et de Gastroentérologie, Créteil 94000, France.
The endocannabinoid system impacts liver injury. Targeting CB1 and CB2 receptors shows promise for treating liver diseases like NAFLD and fibrosis, with peripherally-restricted drugs offering a safer therapeutic avenue.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The endocannabinoid system modulates liver injury.
- CB1 and CB2 receptors and their ligands play key roles in liver pathophysiology.
- CB1 receptor antagonists show therapeutic potential for liver disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in understanding the endocannabinoid system's role in chronic liver disease.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting cannabinoid receptors for liver conditions.
- To highlight the efficacy of peripherally-restricted CB1 antagonists for NAFLD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on the endocannabinoid system and liver disease.
- Analysis of preclinical data on CB1 and CB2 receptor modulation.
- Discussion of clinical development of cannabinoid receptor-targeting agents.
Main Results:
- CB1 receptor antagonists have antifibrogenic and lipid-metabolism benefits.
- Peripherally-restricted CB1 antagonists show efficacy in preclinical NAFLD models.
- CB2 receptor agonists are promising anti-inflammatory and antifibrogenic targets.
Conclusions:
- Targeting the endocannabinoid system offers therapeutic strategies for chronic liver disease.
- Peripherally-acting CB1 antagonists may overcome safety concerns of earlier drugs.
- Further development of CB2 agonists is warranted for liver disease treatment.
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