Authors:
Fouad AA, Jresat I.
Abstract:
The therapeutic potential of cannabidiol, the major non-psychotropic
Cannabis constituent, was investigated in rats exposed to
ischemia/reperfusion liver injury. Ischemia was induced by clamping the
pedicle of the left hepatic lobe for 30 min, and cannabidiol (5mg/kg,
i.v.) was given 1h following the procedure and every 24h thereafter for 2
days. Ischemia/reperfusion caused significant elevations of serum
alanine aminotransferase and hepatic malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis
factor-α and nitric oxide levels, associated with significant decrease
in hepatic reduced glutathione. Cannabidiol significantly attenuated the
deterioration in the measured biochemical parameters mediated by
ischemia/reperfusion. Histopathological examination showed that
cannabidiol ameliorated ischemia/reperfusion-induced liver damage.
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that cannabidiol significantly
reduced the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase,
cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-κB, Fas ligand and caspase-3, and
increased the expression of survivin protein in ischemic/reperfused
liver tissue. These results emphasize that cannabidiol represents a
potential therapeutic option to protect the liver against
hypoxia-reoxygenation injury.