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Recent Advances in Cannabinoid Physiology and Pathology pp 1–12Cite as

Endocannabinoid System Components: Overview and Tissue Distribution

Part of the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology book series (AEMB,volume 1162)

Abstract

Marijuana/cannabinoid research has been transformed into mainstream science during the last half-century. Evidence based research and remarkable biotechnological advances demonstrate that phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoid (eCBs) acting on cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) regulate various aspects of human physiological, behavioral, immunological and metabolic functions. The distribution and function of the components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the central nervous system (CNS) and immune processes have garnished significant research focus with major milestones. With these advances in biotechnology, rapid extension of the ECS research in the periphery has gained momentum. In this chapter, we review the components and tissue distribution of this previously unknown but ubiquitous and complex ECS that is involved in almost all aspects of mammalian physiology and pathology.

Keywords

  • Cannabis
  • Cannabinoids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Cannabinoid receptors

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Fig. 1.1
Fig. 1.2

Abbreviations

2-AG:

2-arachidonyl glycerol

CBRs:

cannabinoid receptors

CNS:

central nervous system

eCB:

endocannabinoids

ECS:

endocannabinoid system

ENS:

enteric nervous system

ER:

endoplasmic reticulum

GABA:

gamma-aminobutyric acid

GI:

gastrointestinal

mtCBR:

mitochondrial cannabinoid receptor

NAc:

nucleus accumbens

p-CREB:

phosphor-cAMP response element-binding protein

PPARs:

peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors

THC:

tetrahydrocannabinol

TRPV1:

transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1

CNR:

cannabinoid receptor gene

GPCR:

G-protein coupled receptor

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, USA

    Neal Joshi

  2. Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, USA

    Emmanuel S. Onaivi

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  1. Neal Joshi
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  2. Emmanuel S. Onaivi
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Correspondence to Emmanuel S. Onaivi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA

    Dr. Anna N. Bukiya

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Joshi, N., Onaivi, E.S. (2019). Endocannabinoid System Components: Overview and Tissue Distribution. In: Bukiya, A. (eds) Recent Advances in Cannabinoid Physiology and Pathology. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1162. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21737-2_1

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