Liver and Cannabis
Image credit: Henry Vandyke Carter [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The first demonstration that CB2 receptors are highly up-regulated in the cirrhotic liver, and the antifibrogenic role of CB2 receptors play during chronic liver injury, was detailed in the study, Antifibrogenic role of the cannabinoid receptor CB2 in the liver.
Antifibrogenic role of the cannabinoid receptor CB2 in the liver.
Julien B, Grenard P, Teixeira-Clerc F, Van Nhieu JT, Li L, Karsak M, Zimmer A, Mallat A, Lotersztajn S.
Gastroenterology. 2005 Mar;128(3):742-55.
PMID: 15765409
Most recently, it has been shown that, "a single ultralow dose THC can reduce the apoptotic, oxidative and inflammatory injury induced by hepatic I/R injury. THC may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in hepatic I/R injury during liver transplantation, liver resection and trauma".
Ultra Low Dose Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Protects Mouse Liver from Ischemia Reperfusion Injury.
Hochhauser E, Lahat E, Sultan M, Pappo O, Waldman M, Sarne Y, Shainberg A, Gutman M, Safran M, Ari ZB.
Cell Physiol Biochem. 2015;36(5):1971-81. doi: 10.1159/000430165. Epub 2015 Jul 17.
PMID: 26202357
Further reading
PubMedCentral:
CB2 receptors as new therapeutic targets for liver diseases.