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Review
. 2022 Nov 10;11(22):6675.
doi: 10.3390/jcm11226675.

A Crosstalk between the Cannabinoid Receptors and Nociceptin Receptors in Colitis-Clinical Implications

Maria Wołyniak  1   2 , Ewa Małecka-Wojciesko  1 , Marta Zielińska  2 , Adam Fabisiak  1
Affiliations
Review

A Crosstalk between the Cannabinoid Receptors and Nociceptin Receptors in Colitis-Clinical Implications

Maria Wołyniak et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) refer to a group of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders with complex pathogenesis characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation with a variety of symptoms. Cannabinoid and nociceptin opioid receptors (NOPs) and their ligands are widely distributed in the GI tract. The nociceptin opioid receptor is a newly discovered member of the opioid receptor family with unique characteristics. Both cannabinoid and NOP systems exhibit antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity and contribute to maintaining proper motility, secretion and absorption in the GI tract. Furthermore, they influence high and low voltage calcium channels, which play a crucial role in the processing of pain, and share at least two kinases mediating their action. Among them there is NF-κB, a key factor in the regulation of inflammatory processes. Therefore, based on functional similarities between cannabinoid and nociceptin receptors and the anti-inflammatory effects exerted by their ligands, there is a high likelihood that there is an interaction between cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 and the nociceptin receptor in colitis. In this review, we discuss potential overlaps between these two systems on a molecular and functional level in intestinal inflammation to create the basis for novel treatments of IBD.

Keywords: colitis; endocannabinoid; inflammation; inflammatory bowel diseases; nociceptin opioid receptor; nociception.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Functional similarities between NOP and CB systems.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Shared elements of molecular pathways between NOP and CB1 and CB2 receptors.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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