The role of the pancreatic endocannabinoid system in glucose metabolism

The endogenous cannabinoid system participates in the regulation of energy homeostasis, and this fact led to the identification of a new group of therapeutic agents for complicated obesity and diabetes. Cannabinoid receptor antagonists are now realities in clinical practice. The use of such antagoni...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Baillière's best practice & research. Clinical endocrinology & metabolism 2009-02, Vol.23 (1), p.87-102
Main Authors: Bermúdez-Silva, Francisco J., PhD, Suárez Pérez, Juan, PhD, Nadal, Angel, PhD, Rodríguez de Fonseca, Fernando, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CB1
CB2
endocrine pancreas
Endocrinology & Metabolism
glucagon
glucose homeostasis
hyperglycaemia
insulin
islet of Langerhans
somatostatin
type-2 diabetes
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Summary:The endogenous cannabinoid system participates in the regulation of energy homeostasis, and this fact led to the identification of a new group of therapeutic agents for complicated obesity and diabetes. Cannabinoid receptor antagonists are now realities in clinical practice. The use of such antagonists for reducing body weight gain, lowering cholesterol and improving glucose homeostasis is based on the ability of the endocannabinoids to coordinately regulate energy homeostasis by interacting with central and peripheral targets, including adipose tissue, muscle, liver and endocrine pancreas. In this review we will analyse the presence of this system in the main cell types of the islets of Langerhans, as well as the physiological relevance of the endocannabinoids and parent acylethanolamides in hormone secretion and glucose homeostasis. We will also analyse the impact that these findings may have in clinical practice and the potential outcome of new therapeutic strategies for modulating glucose homeostasis and insulin/glucagon secretion.
ISSN:1521-690X
1878-1594
DOI:10.1016/j.beem.2008.10.012