The endocannabinoid system is a complex communication system involved in maintaining homeostasis in various physiological processes, including metabolism, immune response, pain modulation, and neuroprotection. Endocannabinoids, mainly anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, are natural ligands of the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, which are widely distributed throughout the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Their biosynthesis, degradation, and interaction with other signaling pathways play crucial roles in both health and disease. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the physiological and pathological roles of endocannabinoids, discusses their potential as therapeutic targets, and highlights recent advances in endocannabinoid-based treatments.

Background: Patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) are exposed to increased oxidative stress and disturbances manifesting in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative defence system. The object of the research was to assess the differences between conservative treatment, peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis in moderating cellular antioxidative agents. Methods: The group examined comprised 145 patients. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were obtained using kinetic methods. The spectrophotometric method established the concentrations of reduced glutathione, albumin, uric acid, glucose, total protein and lipids. Results: The type of treatment determined significant changes in antioxidative enzyme activities and concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidative compounds. Conclusions: Peritoneal dialysis provides better antioxidant protection than other types of therapy in CKD and should be considered as first-choice treatment despite more metabolic disorders.

The complement cascade is a part of innate immune system that responds rapidly to defend the host against invading microorganisms and complete the action of immune cells. The activation of the complement system leads to increased inflammatory response, fibrosis of tubulointestinal tissue and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the type of renal replacement therapy has an effect on activation of the complement system. The study included 79 patients with CKD stages 4 - 5 according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines on conservative treatment (CKD4-5) (n = 28), on peritoneal dialysis (PD) (n = 21) and undergoing chronic haemodialysis (HD) (n = 30). The concentrations of complement components C3a, C5a and C5b-9 were determined in plasma using the ELISA method. The highest concentration of C3a was found in PD group and differed significantly from HD group, both before and after haemodialysis treatment and CKD4-5 patients (P = 0.00001). The C5a concentration in HD patients was significantly higher than in PD patients and CKD4-5 group (P = 0.0001). The C5a and C5b-9 concentrations significantly increased during the haemodialysis session (P = 0.027 and P = 0.01, respectively). The values of C5b-9 observed in PD and CKD4-5 groups were significantly lower, than in HD patients (P = 0.0005). In HD patients the negative correlations were found between the time of haemodialysis treatment and C5b-9 concentration, both before and after haemodialysis session (R-s = -0.436, P = 0.016 and R-s = -0.365, P = 0.046, respectively). The type of renal replacement therapy influences the complement activation, which is the most intense during the haemodialysis treatment and correlates negatively with the haemodialysis vintage. The promising therapeutic intervention may be an improvement of HD biocompatibility.