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ISSN (Print): 1381-6128
ISSN (Online): 1873-4286

Endocannabinoids in Liver Disease and Hepatic Encephalopathy

Author(s): Iddo Magen, Yosefa Avraham, Elliot Berry and Raphael Mechoulam

Volume 14, Issue 23, 2008

Page: [2362 - 2369] Pages: 8

DOI: 10.2174/138161208785740063

Price: $65

Abstract

Chronic liver disease results from a variety of causes such as hepatitis virus infections, autoimmune processes and alcohol consumption. Its complications include fat deposition, hemodynamic changes and fibrosis. Clinically there may be progression to portal-hypertension and porto-systemic encephalopathy. Pioneering research from the laboratory of Kunos at NIH has stressed the importance of endocannabinoids (ECs) as mediators of some of the pathological processes in chronic liver disease. The present review summarizes the literature on the association between ECs and liver disease, as well as the therapeutic potential of ECs and exogenous cannabinoids in liver disease with emphasis on hepatic encephalopathy.

Keywords: Endocannabinoids, Liver Disease, Hepatic Encephalopathy, Chronic liver, autoimmune processes, hemodynamic, fibrosis, portal-hypertension, pathological processes


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