Endocrine Abstracts

During the last few years, the endocannabinoid system has emerged as a relevant topic in the scientific community. Many different regulatory actions have been attributed to endocannabinoids, and their involvement in several pathophysiological conditions is under intense scrutiny. Cannabinoid receptors first discovered as the molecular targets of the psychotropic component of the plant Cannabis sativa, participate in the physiological modulation of many central and peripheral f...

Mankind has been aware of the appetite-stimulating properties of Cannabis sativa for many centuries. Recent research has shown that cannabinoid molecules present within the plant (e.g., Δ9-THC) exert their pharmacological effects by stimulating specific cannabinoid receptors that are expressed by the central nervous system and a wide range of peripheral tissues, including hepatocytes and adipocytes. These receptors are normally activated by a class of arachidon...

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