New Study: Cannabinoid Deficiency Worsens Kidney Disease

New Study: Cannabinoid Deficiency Worsens Kidney Disease

A new study published in this month’s issue of the journal Kidney International, and published online by the U.S. National Institute of Health, has found that cannabinoid deficiency worsens diabetic nephropathy, a type of kidney disease, indicating that cannabinoid therapy may provide a treatment.

“A functionally active endocannabinoid system is present within the kidney”, begins the study’s abstract. “The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) is expressed by both inflammatory cells and podocytes, and its activation has beneficial effects in experimental diabetic nephropathy.” It continues; “To further explore the role of CB2 in diabetic nephropathy, we studied renal functional and structural abnormalities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic CB2 knockout mice.”

After conducting the studies, researchers found that; “Absence of CB2 [cannabinoid receptor type 2] on resident glomerular cells had a major role in worsening diabetic nephropathy, both functional and structural abnormalities, likely by enhanced MCP-1 and CB1 signaling.”

They conclude; “Thus, CB2 deletion worsens diabetic nephropathy, independent of bone marrow-derived cells.”

The study can be found by clicking here.

– TheJointBlog