The Endocannabinoid System and Physical Activity-A Robust Duo in the Novel Therapeutic Approach against Metabolic Disorders

Abstract

Rapidly increasing worldwide prevalence of obesity and related pathologies encompassing coronary heart disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes constitute serious threats to global health and are associated with a significantly elevated risk of premature death. Considering the enormous burden of these pathologies, novel therapeutic and preventive patterns are indispensable. Dysregulation of one of the most complex biological systems in the human body namely, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may result in metabolic imbalance and development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, many studies showed that physical exercises, depending on their type, intensity, and frequency, exert various alterations within the ECS. Emerging evidence suggests that targeting the ECS via physical activity may produce robust beneficial effects on the course of metabolic pathologies. However, the data showing a direct correlation between the ECS and physical activity in the aspect of metabolic health are very scarce. Therefore, the aim of this review was to provide the most up-to-date state of knowledge about the interplay between the ECS activity and physical exercises in the novel therapeutic and preventive approach toward metabolic pathologies. We believe that this paper, at least in part, will fulfill the existing gap in knowledge and encourage researchers to further explore this very complex yet interesting link between the ECS, its action in physical activity, and subsequent positive outcomes for metabolic health.

Keywords: 2-arachidonylglycerol; anandamide; cannabinoid receptor; endocannabinoid system; obesity; physical activity.

Figure 1

The distribution of cannabinoid receptors within the human body. CB1R—cannabinoid receptor type 1, CB2R—cannabinoid receptor type 2, HSC—hematopoietic stem cell (some graphic was acquired from vecteezy.com, accessed date: 1 November 2021).

Figure 2

The effect of physical activity on the endocannabinoid system components and, subsequently, its possible impact on the attenuation of metabolic pathologies. PA: physical activity, ECS: endocannabinoid system, AEA: anandamide, CB1R: cannabinoid receptor type 1, ECS: the endocannabinoid system, TRPV-1: transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 ion channel, PPAR: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α, 2-AG: 2-arachidonoylglycerol.