Mécanismes moléculaires de la tolérance aux opiacés et aux cannabinoïdes

Opioids and cannabinoids share many properties. Consistently, these compounds exert their pharmacological effects by acting on G protein-coupled receptors and regulate the same intracellular effectors. Moreover, prolonged opioid (assessed since a long time) and cannabinoid (more recently assessed) administration for analgesia may result in tolerance. Mechanisms responsible for tolerance development include receptor desensitization. This review will thus describe the molecular mechanisms of desensitization and show how better understanding the mechanisms involved in tolerance may allow new therapeutic perspectives.