Aim: The nonlinear elimination rate of THC and metabolites in blood complicates the interpretation of last cannabis use, which is an important information in DUID cases. We evaluated cannabinoids in blood and hydrolysed urine from 50 DUID cases in order to gain additional information about last cannabis use. Methods: THC, THC-OH and THC-COOH were analysed in blood and hydrolysed urine (βglucuro...

Chronic exposure to Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) induces tolerance to cannabinoid-induced locomotor effects, which are mediated by cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs) located in motor control regions, including the cerebellum. There is substantial evidence of cerebellar CB1R molecular adaptation and modifications in receptor signaling after prolonged cannabinoid exposure. However, very little is...

Evidence from clinical and laboratory studies has accumulated indicating that the activation of the cannabinoid system is crucial for steatosis, especially in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the cannabinoid system has not been well investigated and it is unclear whether steatosis in chronic hepatitis C develops via activa...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Salvinorin A, the active component of the hallucinogenic herb Salvia divinorum, inhibits intestinal motility through activation of kappa-opioid receptors (KORs). However, this compound may have target(s) other than the KORs in the inflamed gut. Because intestinal inflammation upregulates cannabinoid receptors and endogenous cannabinoids, in the present study we investigat...

To fi nd appropriate and effective treatment options for chronic pain syndromes is a challenging task. Multimodal treatment approach has been gaining acceptance for chronic pain. However, combining treatments, such as acupuncture, with rational pharmacology is still in its infancy. Acupuncture infl uences the opioid and cannabinoid system through releasing endogenous receptor ligands. Low dose ...

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Using RNA (Northern) blot hybridization and reverse transcription-PCR, we demonstrate that the brain-type cannabinoid receptor (CB1-R) mRNA, but not the spleen-type cannabinoid receptor (CB2-R) mRNA, is expressed in the mouse uterus and that this organ has the capacity to synthesize the putative endogenous cannabinoid ligand, anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide). The psychoactive cannabinoid co...

For over a decade, until recently, it was thought that marijuana acts by activating brain-type cannabinoid receptors called CB1, and that a second type called CB2 cannabinoid receptor was found only in peripheral tissues. Neuronal CB2 receptors in the brain had been controversial. We reported the discovery and functional presence of CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the mammalian brain that may be i...

There is evidence that cannabinoid-based medicines that are selective for different targets in the cannabinoid signalling system (e.g. receptors, inactivation mechanism, enzymes) might be beneficial in basal ganglia disorders, namely Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD). These benefits not only include the alleviation of specific motor symptoms [e.g. choreic movements with can...