Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Diabetes and Diabetic Complications.

Increasing evidence suggests that an overactive endocannabinoid system (ECS) may contribute to the development of diabetes by promoting energy intake and storage, impairing both glucose and lipid metabolism, and by exerting pro-apoptotic effects in pancreatic β cells, and by facilitating inflammation in pancreatic islets. Furthermore, hyperglycemia associated with diabetes has also been implicated in triggering perturbations of the ECS amplifying the above mentioned pathological processes, eventually culminating in a vicious circle. Compelling evidence from preclinical studies indicates that the ECS also influences diabetes-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, and subsequent tissue injury in target organs for diabetic complications. In this review, we provide an update on the contribution of the ECS to the pathogenesis of diabetes and diabetic microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) and cardiovascular complications. The therapeutic potential of targeting the ECS is also discussed.
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