Exploring the Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Chronic Kidney Disease: Implications for Therapeutic Interventions

Abstract

Aim: Assess alterations in circulating endocannabinoid levels and their potential correlation with the progression of chronic kidney disease. Additionally, the study aims to consider potential implications for the clinical use of these compounds. Study Design: Descriptive, qualitative, and retrospective observational approach, utilizing a methodological framework grounded in a bibliographic examination of publications featured in indexed journals. Methodology: An exploration was conducted on the academic search platform PubMed, using the search terms "endocannabinoid system" and "kidney disease," with a chronological filter spanning the last 10 years. This search yielded 60 articles, which then underwent a screening and sorting process using the platform's tools to categorize documents based on their thematic relevance. Results: The exhaustive examination of cannabinoid signaling in chronic kidney disease unveils a nuanced and intricate landscape where the distinctive functions of CB1 and CB2 receptors become apparent. The manipulation of the endocannabinoid system arises as a potentially efficacious therapeutic approach for mitigating kidney disease and injury, substantiated by evidence highlighting its pivotal role in homeostasis and normal kidney function. Nevertheless, the intricate interplays with renal physiology demand a circumspect methodology in the formulation of therapeutic interventions, considering the varied effects observed in different contexts of the endocannabinoid system and renal function. Conclusion: The exploration of the interaction between the endocannabinoid system and kidney function presents a promising avenue, offering valuable insights for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches in the treatment of kidney diseases.