HIGHLIGHTS
Mycroglia activation is strongly involved in the development of neuropathic pain secondary to peripheral nerve injury.
The endocannabinoid system provides a pathway for attenuation of neurogenic inflammation, which is involved in the process of pain chronification.
Mycroglia plays a central role in the interaction of the endocannabinoid system with the pathophysiology of chronic pain.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Evidence has highlighted a role of glial cell activation, and their interaction with different neural systems, especially the endocannabinoid system, in the mechanisms involved in the chronicity and maintenance of pain. The aim of this review is to bring an update on published data that demonstrate the interaction between glial cells and the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiology of chronic pain and its treatment.
CONTENTS:
A narrative review was performed based on a research in the Medline database, using the Keywords “endocannabinoid”, “glial cells”, “microglial”, “astrocytes”, “neuroinflammation”.
CONCLUSION:
Deepening the knowledge about the function of glial cells in the endocannabinoid system will open the possibility of acting on the pathophysiological origin of the pain chronification process, attenuating the mechanisms involved in central sensitization.
Keywords:
Cannabinoids receptors; Neurogenic inflammation; Neuroglia; Pain