Acid reflux

Horizontal Tabs

Introduction

Acid reflux is a condition in which stomach acid leaks through the esophageal sphincter and irritates or corrodes the esophageal epithelium. Both esophageal epithelial cells and neurons in the esophageal myenteric plexus contain cannabinoid receptors which appear to regulate esophageal function. Moreover, THC was found to reduce acid reflux. Still more research is required to elucidate the full involvement of the endocannabinoid system in gastro-esophageal function and the therapeutic potential of plant cannabinoids.

Alternative Names

Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease

Group

Wiki Entry

Horizontal Tabs

Phytocannabinoids

THC

Receptors

Top Right

Prescription Advice

Preclinical data suggests THC may be therapeutic in acid reflux. Given the nature of the disease, oral appliation or sublingual application may be beneficial.

Please follow generic prescription advice.

Please note that, while based on preclinical and/or clinical research, this prescription advice is solely intended as a guideline to help physicians determine the right prescription. We intend to continuously update our prescription advice based on patient and/or expert feedback. If you have information that this prescription advice is inaccurate, incomplete or outdated please contact us here.

 

Related Disorders

Similar Entries

Horizontal Tabs

Literature Discussion

Human esophageal epithelial cells express CB1 receptors and these receptors are downregulated in Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (Calabrese et al., 2010).

CB2 receptors are present in the gastro-intestinal tract (Salaga et al., 2017) although they were not found in human esophageal epithelial cells (Calabrese et al., 2010). In mice, CB2 agonists dose-dependently protect against ethanol and diclofenac-induced gastric ulcers. This effect was reversed by CB2 antagonists (Salaga et al., 2017).

In humans, CB1 and CB2 are abundantly expressed in the myenteric plexus of the esophagus (Rohof et al., 2012).

In mice, blocking MAGL, thus increasing ambient endocannabinoid levels, reduced gastic acidity and ulceration (Crowe and Kinsey, 2017).

In dogs and human volunteers, THC reduced the number of Transient Lower Esophageal Sphincter Relaxations. This effect was blocked by CB1 antagonist SR141716A, suggesting involvement of CB1 (Beaumont et al., 2009).

 

References:

Beaumont, H., Jensen, J., Carlsson, A., Ruth, M., Lehmann, A., and Boeckxstaens, G. (2009). Effect of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabinoid receptor agonist, on the triggering of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations in dogs and humans. Br. J. Pharmacol. 156, 153–162.

Calabrese, C., Spisni, E., Liguori, G., Lazzarini, G., Valerii, M.C., Strillacci, A., Gionchetti, P., Pagotto, U., Campieri, M., and Rizzello, F. (2010). Potential role of the cannabinoid receptor CB in the pathogenesis of erosive and non-erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. 32, 603–611.

Crowe, M.S., and Kinsey, S.G. (2017). MAGL inhibition modulates gastric secretion and motility following NSAID exposure in mice. Eur. J. Pharmacol.

Rohof, W.O., Aronica, E., Beaumont, H., Troost, D., and Boeckxstaens, G.E. (2012). Localization of mGluR5, GABAB, GABAA, and cannabinoid receptors on the vago-vagal reflex pathway responsible for transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in humans: an immunohistochemical study. Neurogastroenterol. Motil. Off. J. Eur. Gastrointest. Motil. Soc. 24, 383-e173.

Salaga, M., Zatorski, H., Zielińska, M., Mosinska, P., Timmermans, J.-P., Kordek, R., Storr, M., and Fichna, J. (2017). Highly selective CB2 receptor agonist A836339 has gastroprotective effect on experimentally induced gastric ulcers in mice. Naunyn. Schmiedebergs Arch. Pharmacol.