The endocannabinoid-alcohol crosstalk: Recent advances on a bi-faceted target

Gianluca Lavanco, Valentina Castelli, Anna Brancato, Giuseppe Tringali, Fulvio Plescia, Carla Cannizzaro
Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2018-06-28; 45(9): 889-896
DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12967

PubMed
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Increasing evidence has focusesed on the endocannabinoid system as a relevant
player in the induction of aberrant synaptic plasticity and related addictive
phenotype following chronic excessive alcohol drinking. In addition, the
endocannabinoid system is implicated in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver
disease. Interestingly, whereas the involvement of CB1 receptors in alcohol
rewarding properties is established, the central and peripheral action of CB2
signalling is still to be elucidated. This review aims at giving the input to
deepen knowledge on the role of the endocannabinoid system, highlighting the
advancing evidence that suggests that CB1 and CB2 receptors may play opposite
roles in the regulation of both the reinforcing properties of alcohol in the
brain and the mechanisms responsible for cell injury and inflammation in the
hepatic tissue. The manipulation of the endocannabinoid system could represent a
bi-faceted strategy to counteract alcohol-related dysfunction in central
transmission and liver structural and functional disarrangement.

© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus