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The Role Of Cannabinoids And Cannabinoid Receptors In Enteric Neuronal Survival, Yan Li

Theses and Dissertations

The Endocannabinoid system has been found in the gastrointestinal tract, where it plays an important role in gut under both physiological and pathological conditions. Although the major effects of cannabinoids in the gut are mediated through effects on enteric neurons, the role of cannabinoids in the enteric nervous system is poorly understood. In the present study, we have used the primary cultures of myenteric ganglia and a newly developed fetal enteric neuronal cell line to identify whether the endocannabinoid, anandamide, affects ganglionic and neuronal survival and the pathways involved. Anandamide had a biphasic effect on ganglionic survival, increasing survival at …