Z Gastroenterol 2011; 49 - A25
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1278456

Effect of cannabidiol treatment in alimentary induced fatty liver

V Hegedüs 1, A Drozgyik 1, G Lotz 2, P Ónody 1, A Szijártó 1, A Blázovics 3, K Ditrói 3
  • 11st Department of Surgery, Semmelweis University, Budapest
  • 22nd Department of Pathology, Semmelweis University, Budapest
  • 3Department of Pharmacognosy, Semmelweis University, Budapest

Introduction: The past several years have shown a growing interest for cannabidiol because of its antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. Cannabidiol is the major non-psychotic component of Cannabis sativa. Obesity can be considered low-grade systemic inflammation and promotes tumorous processess. In earlier studies we established that transmethylating ability was also decreased in fatty liver, which is in concordance with hypomethylation in different gastrointestinal tumours.

Aims: Our aims were to investigate the effect of cannabidiol on alimentary induced fatty liver to evaluate its moderation of free radical reactions.

Material and methods: Male Wistar rats (200–250 bwg) were fed with or without high-fat diet for 10 days (2% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid, 20% sunflower oil mixed in their chow). After 3-day fatty liver induction a 7-day cannabidiol treatment was carried out in 10mg/bwkg dose via gastric tube. Routine laboratory and global antioxidant parameters (induced chemiluminescence intensity, H-donating ability, free SH-group concentration and reducing power) as well as histopathological examinations were carried out.

Results: Cannabidiol decreased free radical reactions both in the plasma and liver homogenates in different rates and increased the antioxidant parameters (H-donating and free SH-group) in fatty liver. Histopathological examinations showed moderately beneficial alterations in the treated animals already during 7 day-treatment.

Conclusion: On the basis of our results cannabidiol is a potent liver protecting agent in fatty liver.

Supported by ETT 002/02.