PRIMARY STUDY

Members of the endocannabinoid system are distinctly regulated in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer

Key Findings:  This study of looking at alterations in the endocannabinoid system of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's Disease (CD) colorectal cancer (CRC) finds distinct differences in levels of endocannabinoid compared to control patients. In CD oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) appear to be involved. In IBD lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) seems to be pro-inflammatory. In CRC 2-AG is elevated, and in UC and CD anandamide (AEA), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and OEA were increased.