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Patrone LGA, Frias AT, Fantinatti GT, Stabile AM, Klein W, Bícego KC, Gargaglioni LH. Long-term effects on cardiorespiratory and behavioral responses in male and female rats prenatally exposed to cannabinoid. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 327:L341-L358. [PMID: 39012058 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00042.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Development of the respiratory system can be affected by the use of drugs during pregnancy, as the prenatal phase is highly sensitive to pharmacological interventions, resulting in long-term consequences. The deleterious effects of external cannabinoids during gestation may be related to negative interference in central nervous system formation, cardiorespiratory system function, and behavioral disorders. Nevertheless, the impact of external cannabinoids on cardiorespiratory network development, chemosensitivity, and its future consequences in adulthood is still unclear. We evaluated the effects of prenatal exposure to a synthetic cannabinoid (WIN 55,212-2, 0.5 mg·kg-1·day-1) on the cardiorespiratory control and panic-like behavior of male and female rats in adulthood. Exogenous cannabinoid exposure during pregnancy resulted in a sex-dependent difference in breathing control. Specifically, males showed increased chemosensitivity to CO2 and O2, whereas females exhibited decreased sensitivity. Altered cardiovascular control was evident, with prenatally treated males and females being more susceptible to hypertension and tachycardia under adverse environmental conditions. Moreover, WIN-treated males exhibited higher fragmentation of sleep episodes, whereas females displayed anxiolytic and panicolytic behavioral responses to CO2. However, no changes were observed in the mechanical component of the respiratory system, and there were no neuroanatomical alterations, such as changes in the expression of CB1 receptors in the brainstem or in the quantification of catecholaminergic and serotonergic neurons. These findings highlight that external interference in cannabinoid signaling during fetal development causes sex-specific, long-lasting effects for the cardiorespiratory system and behavioral responses in adulthood.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The surge in recreational cannabis use and cannabinoid-based medication prescription among pregnant women has been notable in recent years, fueled by the misconception that natural products are inherently safe. Significant gaps persist regarding the potential risks of maternal consumption of cannabinoids and the long-term effects on the cardiorespiratory system of their offspring, which may be determined by sex. Accordingly, this research aims to diminish this lack of information and raise a note of caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Gustavo A Patrone
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University - UNESP/FCAV, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Alana T Frias
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University - UNESP/FCAV, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Gabriel T Fantinatti
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University - UNESP/FCAV, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Angelita M Stabile
- Department of General and Specialized Nursing, School of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Wilfried Klein
- Department of Biology, School of Philosophy, Sciences and Literature of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Kênia C Bícego
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University - UNESP/FCAV, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Luciane H Gargaglioni
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University - UNESP/FCAV, Jaboticabal, Brazil
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Creanga-Murariu I, Filipiuc LE, Cuciureanu M, Tamba BI, Alexa-Stratulat T. Should oncologists trust cannabinoids? Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1211506. [PMID: 37521486 PMCID: PMC10373070 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1211506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis enjoyed a "golden age" as a medicinal product in the late 19th, early 20th century, but the increased risk of overdose and abuse led to its criminalization. However, the 21st century have witnessed a resurgence of interest and a large body of literature regarding the benefits of cannabinoids have emerged. As legalization and decriminalization have spread around the world, cancer patients are increasingly interested in the potential utility of cannabinoids. Although eager to discuss cannabis use with their oncologist, patients often find them to be reluctant, mainly because clinicians are still not convinced by the existing evidence-based data to guide their treatment plans. Physicians should prescribe cannabis only if a careful explanation can be provided and follow up response evaluation ensured, making it mandatory for them to be up to date with the positive and also negative aspects of the cannabis in the case of cancer patients. Consequently, this article aims to bring some clarifications to clinicians regarding the sometimes-confusing various nomenclature under which this plant is mentioned, current legislation and the existing evidence (both preclinical and clinical) for the utility of cannabinoids in cancer patients, for either palliation of the associated symptoms or even the potential antitumor effects that cannabinoids may have.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Creanga-Murariu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania
- Oncology Department, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania
| | - Leontina Elena Filipiuc
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania
| | - Magda Cuciureanu
- Pharmacology Department, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Ionel Tamba
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania
- Pharmacology Department, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania
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Riley AL, Manke HN, Huang S. Impact of the Aversive Effects of Drugs on Their Use and Abuse. Behav Neurol 2022; 2022:8634176. [PMID: 35496768 PMCID: PMC9045991 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8634176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug use and abuse are complex issues in that the basis of each may involve different determinants and consequences, and the transition from one to the other may be equally multifaceted. A recent model of the addiction cycle (as proposed by Koob and his colleagues) illustrates how drug-taking patterns transition from impulsive (acute use) to compulsive (chronic use) as a function of various neuroadaptations leading to the downregulation of DA systems, upregulation of stress systems, and the dysregulation of the prefrontal/orbitofrontal cortex. Although the nature of reinforcement in the initiation and mediation of these effects may differ (positive vs. negative), the role of reinforcement in drug intake (acute and chronic) is well characterized. However, drugs of abuse have other stimulus properties that may be important in their use and abuse. One such property is their aversive effects that limit drug intake instead of initiating and maintaining it. Evidence of such effects comes from both clinical and preclinical populations. In support of this position, the present review describes the aversive effects of drugs (assessed primarily in conditioned taste aversion learning), the fact that they occur concurrently with reward as assessed in combined taste aversion/place preference designs, the role of aversive effects in drug-taking (in balance with their rewarding effects), the dissociation of these affective properties in that they can be affected in different ways by the same manipulations, and the impact of various parametric, experiential, and subject factors on the aversive effects of drugs and the consequent impact of these factors on their use and abuse potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L. Riley
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA
| | - Hayley N. Manke
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA
| | - Shihui Huang
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016, USA
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Moore CF, Stiltner JW, Davis CM, Weerts EM. Translational models of cannabinoid vapor exposure in laboratory animals. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:63-89. [PMID: 33136615 PMCID: PMC8079522 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the most frequently used psychoactive substances in the world. The most common route of administration for cannabis and cannabinoid constituents such as Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) is via smoking or vapor inhalation. Preclinical vapor models have been developed, although the vaporization devices and delivery methods vary widely across laboratories. This review examines the emerging field of preclinical vapor models with a focus on cannabinoid exposure in order to (1) summarize vapor exposure parameters and other methodological details across studies; (2) discuss the pharmacological and behavioral effects produced by exposure to vaporized cannabinoids; and (3) compare behavioral effects of cannabinoid vapor administration with those of other routes of administration. This review will serve as a guide for past and current vapor delivery methods in animals, synergize findings across studies, and propose future directions for this area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine F. Moore
- Division of Behavioral Biology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jeffrey W. Stiltner
- Division of Behavioral Biology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Catherine M. Davis
- Division of Behavioral Biology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Elise M. Weerts
- Division of Behavioral Biology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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5
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Cong J, Lu K, Zou W, Li Z, Guo Z, Tong X, Zheng J, Zhu J, Li S, Zhang W, Guo Y, Gao TM, Chen R. Astroglial CB1 Cannabinoid Receptors Mediate CP 55,940-Induced Conditioned Place Aversion Through Cyclooxygenase-2 Signaling in Mice. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:772549. [PMID: 34887729 PMCID: PMC8650095 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.772549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids (CBs), such as phytocannabinoids, synthetic CBs, and endogenous CBs, can be neuroprotective, rewarding, or aversive. The aversive effects of CBs may hinder their medical and recreational applications. It is unknown which type of CB receptors mediates the direct aversive effects of synthetic CB CP 55,940 which is an analog of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the major psychoactive component of marijuana. In this study, we address this question by taking the advantage of systematic type 1 CB receptor (CB1R) knockout mice and conditional reinstatement of this receptor only in astrocytes. We show that CP 55,940 at a concentration of 1 mg/kg induces conditioned place aversion (CPA) and the CPA effect of CP 55,940 is mediated by the astroglial CB1Rs. Inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) eliminates CP 55,940-induced CPA in mice that only express CB1Rs in astrocytes. These findings conclude that CPA effect of CP 55,940 is mediated by the astroglial CB1Rs through COX-2 signaling, suggesting that selective COX-2 inhibition or precise isolation of astroglial CB1R activity may be the strategy for treating aversive response of medical and recreational administrations of marijuana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Cong
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kangrong Lu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Zou
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziming Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhipeng Guo
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangzhen Tong
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiawei Zheng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The National Key Clinic Specialty, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianping Zhu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuji Li
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wangming Zhang
- The National Key Clinic Specialty, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanwu Guo
- The National Key Clinic Specialty, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian-Ming Gao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongqing Chen
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The National Key Clinic Specialty, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, The Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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6
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Sharpe L, Sinclair J, Kramer A, de Manincor M, Sarris J. Cannabis, a cause for anxiety? A critical appraisal of the anxiogenic and anxiolytic properties. J Transl Med 2020; 18:374. [PMID: 33008420 PMCID: PMC7531079 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02518-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis has been documented for use in alleviating anxiety. However, certain research has also shown that it can produce feelings of anxiety, panic, paranoia and psychosis. In humans, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been associated with an anxiogenic response, while anxiolytic activity has been attributed mainly to cannabidiol (CBD). In animal studies, the effects of THC are highly dose-dependent, and biphasic effects of cannabinoids on anxiety-related responses have been extensively documented. A more precise assessment is required of both the anxiolytic and anxiogenic potentials of phytocannabinoids, with an aim towards the development of the 'holy grail' in cannabis research, a medicinally-active formulation which may assist in the treatment of anxiety or mood disorders without eliciting any anxiogenic effects. OBJECTIVES To systematically review studies assessing cannabinoid interventions (e.g. THC or CBD or whole cannabis interventions) both in animals and humans, as well as recent epidemiological studies reporting on anxiolytic or anxiogenic effects from cannabis consumption. METHOD The articles selected for this review were identified up to January 2020 through searches in the electronic databases OVID MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and PsycINFO. RESULTS Acute doses of CBD were found to reduce anxiety both in animals and humans, without having an anxiogenic effect at higher doses. Epidemiological studies tend to support an anxiolytic effect from the consumption of either CBD or THC, as well as whole plant cannabis. Conversely, the available human clinical studies demonstrate a common anxiogenic response to THC (especially at higher doses). CONCLUSION Based on current data, cannabinoid therapies (containing primarily CBD) may provide a more suitable treatment for people with pre-existing anxiety or as a potential adjunctive role in managing anxiety or stress-related disorders. However, further research is needed to explore other cannabinoids and phytochemical constituents present in cannabis (e.g. terpenes) as anxiolytic interventions. Future clinical trials involving patients with anxiety disorders are warranted due to the small number of available human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Sharpe
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Justin Sinclair
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Andrew Kramer
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Michael de Manincor
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Jerome Sarris
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
- Department of Psychiatry, The Melbourne Clinic, Professorial Unit, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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Zawatsky CN, Abdalla J, Cinar R. Synthetic cannabinoids induce acute lung inflammation via cannabinoid receptor 1 activation. ERJ Open Res 2020; 6:00121-2020. [PMID: 32832534 PMCID: PMC7430153 DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00121-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoid (SC) use has persisted in the United States despite schedule-1 placement under the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 [1]. Analysis of the National Poison Data System indicates that hospitalisations caused by SC use increased significantly between 2010 and 2015 [2]. Moreover, there is a trend of the increasing use of such compounds among adolescents [3]. SCs are often 30–100-fold more potent than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive ingredient of cannabis, in activating Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R). Users are attracted to SCs because of the cheaper, novel and stronger highs such substances offer compared to cannabis, and because the compounds are not screened for in typical drug tests [1, 2]. Among those hospitalised for SC use, some patients exhibited respiratory failure [4–7], pulmonary infiltrates [5, 7], alveolar damage or haemorrhage [5–7] and histopathologic features similar to organising pneumonia [4–6]. The mechanism by which SCs damage pulmonary tissue has yet to be elucidated – whether by SC binding at CB1R, CB2R or another receptor, and what downstream effects such binding elicits. Solving this conundrum is the first step in optimising treatment for patients presenting with SC-related respiratory distress. Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) induce a pro-inflammatory condition by activating cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) in the lungs of mice, which raises a potential therapeutic use of CB1R antagonists in SC-induced lung disease resulting in hospitalisationhttps://bit.ly/31bWw4Q
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles N Zawatsky
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.,These authors contributed equally
| | - Jasmina Abdalla
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.,These authors contributed equally
| | - Resat Cinar
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
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Ripamonte GC, Bernardes-Ribeiro M, Patrone LGA, Vicente MC, Bícego KC, Gargaglioni LH. Functional role for preoptic CB1 receptors in breathing and thermal control. Neurosci Lett 2020; 732:135021. [PMID: 32454147 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The anteroventral preoptic region (AVPO) of the hypothalamus is involved in both temperature and breathing regulation. This area densely express cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1) that modulate both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. However, it is still unknown if the endocannabinoid system located in the AVPO participates in breathing control and thermoregulation. Therefore, we tested the participation of CB1 in the AVPO in the modulation of ventilation and thermal control during normoxia and hypoxia. To this end, body temperature (Tb) of Wistar rats was monitored by datallogers and ventilation (VE) by whole body plethysmography before and after intra-AVPO microinjection of AM-251 (CB1 antagonist, 50 and 100 pmol) followed by 60 min of hypoxia exposure (7% O2). Intra-AVPO microinjection of the higher dose of AM-251 increased VE but did not change Tb under resting conditions. Exposure of rats to 7% of inspired oxygen evoked typical hypoxia-induced anapyrexia and hyperventilation after vehicle microinjection. The higher dose of the cannabinoid antagonist increased the hypoxia-induced hyperventilation, in the same magnitude as observed under normoxic condition, whereas the drop in Tb elicited by hypoxia was attenuated. Therefore, the present results demonstrate that the endocannabinoid system acting on CB1 receptors in the AVPO exerts a tonic inhibitory modulation on breathing but seem not be involved in thermoregulation during resting conditions. In addition, activation of CB1 receptors in the AVPO stimulate thermal response during hypoxia, reducing energetically expensive responses, such as the hypoxic hyperventilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel C Ripamonte
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Sao Paulo State University, UNESP/FCAV at Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana Bernardes-Ribeiro
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Sao Paulo State University, UNESP/FCAV at Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Luis Gustavo A Patrone
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Sao Paulo State University, UNESP/FCAV at Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariane C Vicente
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Sao Paulo State University, UNESP/FCAV at Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Kênia C Bícego
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Sao Paulo State University, UNESP/FCAV at Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciane H Gargaglioni
- Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Sao Paulo State University, UNESP/FCAV at Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
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Breit KR, Zamudio B, Thomas JD. Altered motor development following late gestational alcohol and cannabinoid exposure in rats. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2019; 73:31-41. [PMID: 30943441 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug among pregnant women, and rates are likely to increase given recent legalization. In addition, half of pregnant women who report consuming cannabis also report drinking alcohol. However, little is known about the consequences of prenatal cannabis alone or in combination with alcohol, particularly with cannabis products that are continually increasing in potency of the primary psychoactive constituent in cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The current study investigated the effects of early exposure to cannabinoids during the brain growth spurt on early physical and motor development alone (Experiment 1) or in combination with alcohol (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, Sprague-Dawley rat pups were exposed to a cannabinoid receptor agonist (CP-55,940 [CP]; 0.1, 0.25, 0.4 mg/kg/day), the drug vehicle, or a saline control from postnatal days (PD) 4-9. In Experiment 2, rat pups were exposed to CP (0.4 mg/kg/day) or the vehicle, and were additionally intubated with alcohol (11.9% v/v; 5.25 g/kg/day) or received a sham intubation. Subjects in both experiments were tested on a motor development task (PD 12-20) and a motor coordination task during adolescence (PD 30-32). Both developmental cannabinoid and alcohol exposure separately decreased body growth throughout development, and combined exposure exacerbated these effects, although only alcohol exposure induced long-term body weight reductions. Developmental cannabinoid exposure advanced early motor development, whereas alcohol exposure delayed development, and subjects given combined exposure did not differ from controls on some measures. Alcohol exposure impaired motor coordination later in life. In contrast, cannabinoid exposure, by itself, did not significantly affect long-term motor coordination, but did exacerbate alcohol-related impairments in motor coordination among females. These results suggest that cannabinoid exposure may not only alter development by itself, but may exacerbate alcohol's teratogenic effects in specific behavioral domains. These findings have important implications not only for individuals affected by prenatal exposure, but also for establishing public policy for women regarding cannabis use during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen R Breit
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA.
| | - Brandonn Zamudio
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
| | - Jennifer D Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92120, USA
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Breit KR, Zamudio B, Thomas JD. The effects of alcohol and cannabinoid exposure during the brain growth spurt on behavioral development in rats. Birth Defects Res 2019; 111:760-774. [PMID: 30854806 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug among pregnant women. Moreover, over half of pregnant women who are consuming cannabis are also consuming alcohol; however, the consequences of combined prenatal alcohol and cannabis exposure on fetal development are not well understood. The current study examined behavioral development following exposure to ethanol (EtOH) and/or CP-55,940 (CP), a cannabinoid receptor agonist. From postnatal days (PD) 4-9, a period of brain development equivalent to the third trimester, Sprague-Dawley rats received EtOH (5.25 g/kg/day) or sham intubation, as well as CP (0.4 mg/kg/day) or vehicle. All subjects were tested on open field activity (PD 18-21), elevated plus maze (PD 25), and spatial learning (PD 40-46) tasks. Both EtOH and CP increased locomotor activity in the open field, and the combination produced more severe overactivity than either exposure alone. Similarly, increases in thigmotaxis in the Morris water maze were caused by either EtOH or CP alone, and were more severe with combined exposure, although only EtOH impaired spatial learning. Finally, developmental CP significantly increased time spent in the open arms on the elevated plus maze. Overall, these data indicate that EtOH and CP produce some independent effects on behavior, and that the combination produces more severe overactivity in the open field. Importantly, these data suggest that prenatal cannabis disrupts development and combined prenatal exposure to alcohol and cannabis may be particularly damaging to the developing fetus, which has implications for the lives of affected individuals and families and also for establishing public health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen R Breit
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Brandonn Zamudio
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | - Jennifer D Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California
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Scherma M, Masia P, Satta V, Fratta W, Fadda P, Tanda G. Brain activity of anandamide: a rewarding bliss? Acta Pharmacol Sin 2019; 40:309-323. [PMID: 30050084 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-018-0075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Anandamide is a lipid mediator that acts as an endogenous ligand of CB1 receptors. These receptors are also the primary molecular target responsible for the pharmacological effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in Cannabis sativa. Several studies demonstrate that anandamide exerts an overall modulatory effect on the brain reward circuitry. Several reports suggest its involvement in the addiction-producing actions of other abused drugs, and it can also act as a behavioral reinforcer in animal models of drug abuse. Importantly, all these effects of anandamide appear to be potentiated by pharmacological inhibition of its metabolic degradation. Enhanced brain levels of anandamide after treatment with inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase, the main enzyme responsible for its degradation, seem to affect the rewarding and reinforcing actions of many drugs of abuse. In this review, we will provide an overview from a preclinical perspective of the current state of knowledge regarding the behavioral pharmacology of anandamide, with a particular emphasis on its motivational/reinforcing properties. We will also discuss how modulation of anandamide levels through inhibition of enzymatic metabolic pathways could provide a basis for developing new pharmaco-therapeutic tools for the treatment of substance use disorders.
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Hakami AY, Alshehri FS, Sari Y. β-lactams modulate astroglial glutamate transporters and attenuate dependence to CP 55,940, a CB1 receptor agonist, in rat model. Behav Brain Res 2019; 359:709-718. [PMID: 30257184 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Studies on cannabinoids have reported contradictory findings, showing both aversion and rewarding outcomes in conditioned place preference (CPP). Various possibilities have been suggested to explain the aversive properties of cannabinoids, including the pharmacokinetics profile and dose selection. In this study, we have established a CPP method to investigate the effects of modulating astroglial glutamate transporters in cannabinoid dependence using a cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) agonist, CP 55,940 (CP). Previous reports using CPP paradigm demonstrated the involvement of glutamatergic system in seeking behavior of several drugs of abuse such as cocaine, heroin and nicotine. Glutamate homeostasis is maintained by several astroglial glutamate transporters, such as glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1), cystine/glutamate transporter (xCT) and glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST). In this study, we investigated the effects of Ampicillin/Sulbactam, β-lactam compounds known to upregulate GLT-1 and xCT, on cannabinoid seeking behavior using CP. We found first that one prime dose of CP induced CP reinstatement; this effect was associated, in part, with significant downregulation of xCT expression in the nucleus accumbens, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Moreover, GLT-1 expression was downregulated in the amygdala. Importantly, Ampicillin/Sulbactam treatment during the extinction phase attenuated CP-induced reinstatement and restored the expression of GLT-1 and xCT in mesocorticolimbic brain regions. These findings suggest that β-lactams may play a potential therapeutic role in attenuating dependence to cannabinoids, in part, through upregulation of GLT-1 and xCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alqassem Y Hakami
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Fahad S Alshehri
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Youssef Sari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA.
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Functional characterization of the cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 in zebrafish larvae using behavioral analysis. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:2049-2058. [PMID: 30820632 PMCID: PMC6647118 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05193-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The endocannabinoid system (ECS) comprises the cannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol and the cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (Cnr1 and Cnr2). The function of these receptors in relation to zebrafish larval behavior is poorly understood, even though the zebrafish larva has become a versatile animal model in biomedical research. OBJECTIVES The objective of the present study is to characterize the function of Cnr1 and Cnr2 in relation to behavior in zebrafish. METHODS Behavioral analysis of zebrafish larvae was performed using a visual motor response (VMR) test, which allows locomotor activity to be determined under basal conditions and upon a dark challenge. RESULTS Treatment with the non-specific Cnr agonists WIN55,212-2 and CP55,940 resulted in a decrease in locomotion. This was observed for both basal and challenge-induced locomotion, although the potency for these two effects was different, which suggests different mechanisms of action. In addition, WIN55,212-2 increased the reaction time of the startle response after the dark challenge. Using the Cnr1 antagonist AM251 and a cnr1-/- mutant line, it was shown that the effects were mediated by Cnr1 and not Cnr2. Interestingly, administration of the antagonist AM251 alone does not have an effect on locomotion, which indicates that endogenous cannabinoid activity does not affect locomotor activity of zebrafish larvae. Upon repeated dark challenges, the WIN55,212-2 effect on the locomotor activity decreased, probably due to desensitization of Cnr1. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results show that Cnr1 activation by exogenous endocannabinoids modulates both basal and challenge-induced locomotor activity in zebrafish larvae and that these behavioral effects can be used as a readout to monitor the Cnr1 responsiveness in the zebrafish larva model system.
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Leishman E, Murphy MN, Murphy MI, Mackie K, Bradshaw HB. Broad and Region-Specific Impacts of the Synthetic Cannabinoid CP 55,940 in Adolescent and Adult Female Mouse Brains. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:436. [PMID: 30542263 PMCID: PMC6277767 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Relative to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the synthetic cannabinoid CP 55,940 (CP) is significantly more potent and efficacious at cannabinoid receptors, the primary targets for endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs). eCBs belong to a large, interconnected lipidome of bioactive signaling molecules with a myriad of effects in optimal and pathological function. Recreational use of highly potent and efficacious synthetic cannabinoids is common amongst adolescents, potentially impacting brain development. Knowledge of the molecular outcomes of synthetic cannabinoid use will be important to develop more targeted therapies for synthetic cannabinoid intoxication and to prevent long-term disruption to the CNS. Here, we test the hypothesis that CP has age and region-dependent effects on the brain lipidome. Adolescent [post-natal day (PND) 35 and PND 50] and young adult female mice were given either an acute dose of CP or vehicle and brains were collected 2 h later. Eight brain regions were dissected and levels of ∼80 lipids were screened from each region using HPLC/MS/MS. CP had widespread effects on the brain lipidome in all age groups. Interestingly, more changes were observed in the PND 35 mice and more were reductions in a lipid’s concentration, including region-dependent lowering of eCB levels. CP levels were highest in the cortex at PND 35, the hippocampus at PND 50, and in the cerebellum in the adult. These data provide novel insights into how high-potency, synthetic cannabinoids drive different, age-dependent, cellular signaling effects in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Leishman
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Michelle N Murphy
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Michelle I Murphy
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States.,Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States.,Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Ken Mackie
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States.,Gill Center for Biomolecular Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Heather B Bradshaw
- Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States.,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
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Carlier J, Wohlfarth A, Salmeron BD, Scheidweiler KB, Huestis MA, Baumann MH. Pharmacodynamic Effects, Pharmacokinetics, and Metabolism of the Synthetic Cannabinoid AM-2201 in Male Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 367:543-550. [PMID: 30266766 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.250530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel synthetic cannabinoids are appearing in recreational drug markets worldwide. Pharmacological characterization of these new drugs is needed to inform clinicians, toxicologists, and policy makers who monitor public health. [1-(5-Fluoropentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](1-naphthyl)methanone (AM-2201) is an abused synthetic cannabinoid that was initially created as a research tool for investigating the endocannabinoid system. Here we measured the pharmacodynamic effects of AM-2201 in rats, and simultaneously determined plasma pharmacokinetics for the parent drug and its metabolites. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fitted with surgically implanted temperature transponders and indwelling jugular catheters under pentobarbital anesthesia. One week later, rats received subcutaneous injection of AM-2201 (0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg) or its vehicle, and serial blood specimens were withdrawn via catheters. Core temperatures and catalepsy were measured just prior to each blood withdrawal, and plasma was assayed for drug and metabolites using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We found that AM-2201 produced dose-related hypothermia and catalepsy that peaked at 2 hours and lasted up to 8 hours. AM-2201 plasma concentrations rose linearly with increasing dose and ranged from 0.14 to 67.9 µg/l. Concentrations of three metabolites, AM-2201 N-(4-hydroxypentyl) (≤0.17 µg/l), naphthalen-1-yl-(1-pentylindol-3-yl)methanone (JWH-018) N-(5-hydroxypentyl) (≤1.14 µg/l), and JWH-018 N-pentanoic acid (≤0.88 µg/l) were detectable but much lower. Peak AM-2201, JWH-018 N-(5-hydroxypentyl), and JWH-018 N-pentanoic acid concentrations occurred at 1.3, 2.4, and 6.5 hours, respectively. Concentrations of AM-2201, JWH-018 N-(5-hydroxypentyl), and JWH-018 N-pentanoic acid were negatively correlated with body temperature, but, given the low concentrations of metabolites detected, AM-2201 is likely the major contributor to pharmacodynamic effects under our experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Carlier
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism (J.C., A.W., K.B.S., M.A.H.) and Designer Drug Research Unit (B.D.S., M.H.B.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ariane Wohlfarth
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism (J.C., A.W., K.B.S., M.A.H.) and Designer Drug Research Unit (B.D.S., M.H.B.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Bonita D Salmeron
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism (J.C., A.W., K.B.S., M.A.H.) and Designer Drug Research Unit (B.D.S., M.H.B.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Karl B Scheidweiler
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism (J.C., A.W., K.B.S., M.A.H.) and Designer Drug Research Unit (B.D.S., M.H.B.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Marilyn A Huestis
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism (J.C., A.W., K.B.S., M.A.H.) and Designer Drug Research Unit (B.D.S., M.H.B.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Chemistry and Drug Metabolism (J.C., A.W., K.B.S., M.A.H.) and Designer Drug Research Unit (B.D.S., M.H.B.), Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, Maryland
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Maguire DR, France CP. Reinforcing effects of opioid/cannabinoid mixtures in rhesus monkeys responding under a food/drug choice procedure. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:2357-2365. [PMID: 29860612 PMCID: PMC6045955 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4932-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cannabinoid receptor agonists such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) enhance the antinociceptive potency of mu opioid receptor agonists such as morphine, indicating that opioid/cannabinoid mixtures might be effective for treating pain. However, such enhancement will be beneficial only if cannabinoids do not also enhance adverse effects of opioids, including those related to abuse. In rhesus monkeys, cannabinoids fail to enhance and often decrease self-administration of the mu opioid receptor agonist heroin, suggesting that opioid/cannabinoid mixtures do not have greater reinforcing effects (abuse potential) compared with opioids alone. Previous studies on the self-administration of opioid/cannabinoid mixtures used single-response procedures, which do not easily differentiate changes in reinforcing effects from other effects (e.g., rate decreasing). METHODS In this study, rhesus monkeys (n = 4) responded under a choice procedure wherein responding on one lever delivered sucrose pellets and responding on the other lever delivered intravenous infusions of the mu opioid receptor agonist remifentanil (0.032-1.0 μg/kg/infusion) alone or in combination with either Δ9-THC (10-100 μg/kg/infusion) or the synthetically derived cannabinoid receptor agonist CP55940 (3.2-10 μg/kg/infusion). RESULTS Remifentanil dose-dependently increased choice of drug over food, whether available alone or in combination with a cannabinoid, and the potency of remifentanil was not significantly altered by coadministration with a cannabinoid. Mixtures containing the largest doses of cannabinoids decreased response rates in most subjects, confirming that behaviorally active doses were studied. CONCLUSION Overall, these results extend previous studies to include choice behavior and show that cannabinoids do not substantially enhance the reinforcing effects of mu opioid receptor agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Maguire
- Departments of Pharmacology (DRM, CPF) and Psychiatry (CPF) and the Addiction Research, Treatment and Training Center of Excellence (DRM, CPF), the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Charles P France
- Departments of Pharmacology (DRM, CPF) and Psychiatry (CPF) and the Addiction Research, Treatment and Training Center of Excellence (DRM, CPF), the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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Haider A, Spinelli F, Herde AM, Mu B, Keller C, Margelisch M, Weber M, Schibli R, Mu L, Ametamey SM. Evaluation of 4-oxo-quinoline-based CB2 PET radioligands in R6/2 chorea huntington mouse model and human ALS spinal cord tissue. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 145:746-759. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.12.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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18
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Tresa Zanda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Italy
| | - Liana Fattore
- Institute of Neuroscience-Cagliari, National Research Council of Italy, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Italy
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Effect of footshock stress on place conditioning produced by Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor, URB597, in Sprague-Dawley rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:3229-3240. [PMID: 28803323 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4714-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Unlike other drugs of abuse, Δ9-tetrahydrocanabinol (THC) is generally aversive in rodent conditioned place preference models, but little is known about how stress may modify THC affective properties. OBJECTIVE We evaluate the potential of footshock stress to enhance the rewarding effects of THC and the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor, URB597, as it has been shown to enhance their anxiolytic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effect of footshock stress 24 h prior to each conditioning trial on the rewarding/aversive effects of THC (1, 0.1, 0.5 mg/kg, ip) and URB597 (0.3 mg/kg, ip) was evaluated in an unbiased place conditioning procedure in rats. Subsequently, the same stressor was given immediately prior to conditioning with THC (1 and 0.1 mg/kg). Locomotor activity was also measured during conditioning. RESULTS A dose of 1 mg/kg THC, but not 0.1-0.5 mg/kg, produced a conditioned place aversion (CPA) that was not modified by footshock delivered 24 h prior to conditioning trials; however, footshock delivered immediately prior to conditioning trials prevented that CPA. Lower doses of THC and URB597 produced no place conditioning regardless of footshock conditions. A dose of 1 mg/kg THC produced locomotor suppression during conditioning trials that was prevented by footshock delivered 24 h before and reversed to locomotor activation by footshock delivered immediately before conditioning. CONCLUSIONS Unlike the effect of footshock on THC- and URB597-induced anxiolytic effects, footshock does not promote THC or URB597-induced reward in a conditioned place preference paradigm. However, footshock stress reverses the sedative effects of 1 mg/kg THC.
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Clasen MM, Flax SM, Hempel BJ, Cheng K, Rice KC, Riley AL. Antagonism of the kappa opioid receptor attenuates THC-induced place aversions in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2017; 163:30-35. [PMID: 29100992 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Prior research with transgenic mice in which the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) has been suppressed or activated suggests that the aversive effects of THC are mediated by activity of this receptor subtype. If the activity of the KOR system is responsible for mediating the THC's aversive effects, then selective antagonism of the KOR by norBNI should block such aversive effects. To test this hypothesis, rats were pretreated with norBNI 24h prior to place conditioning with THC to assess its effect on the acquisition of THC-induced place aversions. METHODS In Experiment 1, rats pretreated with norBNI (0 or 15mg/kg) were exposed 24h later to one side of a place conditioning chamber and injected with THC (0, 0.56, 1 and 3.2mg/kg). On the next day, they were injected with vehicle and placed on the opposite side of the chamber. This was repeated for a total of five cycles followed by a test of the animal's aversion to the THC-paired side. In Experiment 2, rats were pretreated with norBNI (0 or 30mg/kg) prior to place conditioning 24h later with THC (0 or 3.2mg/kg). RESULTS In Experiment 1, THC produced dose-dependent place aversions that were unaffected by norBNI (15mg/kg). In Experiment 2, THC induced significant place aversions that were fully attenuated by norBNI (30mg/kg). CONCLUSIONS Although 15mg/kg norBNI was ineffective in antagonizing the aversive effects of THC, 30mg/kg norBNI blocked the ability of THC to induce a place aversion. The results of the latter assessment are consistent with prior research with transgenic manipulations of the KOR and provide further evidence for the role of the KOR system in the aversive properties of THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew M Clasen
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
| | - Shaun M Flax
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA
| | - Briana J Hempel
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA
| | - Kejun Cheng
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anthony L Riley
- Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, American University, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
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Bort A, Alvarado-Vazquez PA, Moracho-Vilrriales C, Virga KG, Gumina G, Romero-Sandoval A, Asbill S. Effects of JWH015 in cytokine secretion in primary human keratinocytes and fibroblasts and its suitability for topical/transdermal delivery. Mol Pain 2017; 13:1744806916688220. [PMID: 28326930 PMCID: PMC5302180 DOI: 10.1177/1744806916688220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background JWH015 is a cannabinoid (CB) receptor type 2 agonist that produces immunomodulatory effects. Since skin cells play a key role in inflammatory conditions and tissue repair, we investigated the ability of JWH015 to promote an anti-inflammatory and pro-wound healing phenotype in human primary skin cells. Methods Human primary keratinocytes and fibroblasts were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. The mRNA expression of cannabinoid receptors was determined using RT-PCR. The effects of JWH015 (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 µM) in pro- and anti-inflammatory factors were tested in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. A scratch assay, using a co-culture of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, was used to test the effects of JWH015 in wound healing. In addition, the topical and transdermal penetration of JWH015 was studied in Franz diffusion cells using porcine skin and LC-MS. Results The expression of CB1 and CB2 receptors (mRNA) and the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors enhanced in keratinocytes and fibroblasts following lipopolysaccharide stimulation. JWH015 reduced the concentration of major pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6 and MCP-1) and increased the concentration of a major anti-inflammatory factor (TGF-β) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cells. JWH015 induced a faster scratch gap closure. These JWH015’seffects were mainly modulated through both CB1 and CB2 receptors. Topically administered JWH015 was mostly retained in the skin and displayed a sustained and low level of transdermal permeation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that targeting keratinocytes and fibroblasts with cannabinoid drugs could represent a therapeutic strategy to resolve peripheral inflammation and promote tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Bort
- 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.,2 Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, Clinton, SC, USA
| | - Perla A Alvarado-Vazquez
- 2 Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, Clinton, SC, USA
| | | | - Kristopher G Virga
- 2 Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, Clinton, SC, USA
| | - Giuseppe Gumina
- 2 Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, Clinton, SC, USA
| | - Alfonso Romero-Sandoval
- 2 Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, Clinton, SC, USA
| | - Scott Asbill
- 2 Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy, Clinton, SC, USA
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Minervini V, Dahal S, France CP. Behavioral Characterization of κ Opioid Receptor Agonist Spiradoline and Cannabinoid Receptor Agonist CP55940 Mixtures in Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2016; 360:280-287. [PMID: 27903642 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.116.235630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain is a significant clinical problem, and there is a need for more effective treatments with reduced adverse effects that currently limit the use of μ opioid receptor agonists. Synthetic κ opioid receptor agonists have no abuse liability and well-documented antinociceptive effects; however, adverse effects (diuresis, dysphoria) preclude their use in the clinic. Combining κ opioids with nonopioid drugs (cannabinoid receptor agonists) allows for smaller doses of each drug to produce antinociception. This study tested whether a potentially useful effect of the κ opioid receptor agonist 2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-[(5R,7S,8S)-7-pyrrolidin-1-yl-1-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl] (spiradoline; antinociception) is selectively enhanced by the cannabinoid receptor agonist 2-[(1R,2R,5R)-5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxypropyl) cyclohexyl]-5-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)phenol (CP55940). Cumulative dose-response functions were determined in eight male Sprague-Dawley rats for spiradoline (0.032-32.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and CP55940 (0.0032-1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) for antinociception, hypothermia, food-maintained responding, and diuresis. Alone, each drug dose dependently increased tail withdrawal latencies from 50°C water, decreased body temperature by ∼4°C, and eliminated food-maintained responding. Spiradoline, but not CP55940, significantly increased urine output at doses that eliminated responding. Smaller doses of spiradoline and CP55940 in mixtures (3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 spiradoline:CP55940) had effects comparable to those observed with larger doses of either drug administered alone: the interaction was additive for antinociception and additive or greater than additive for hypothermia and food-maintained responding. Collectively, these data fail to provide support for the use of these mixtures for treating acute pain; however, κ opioid/cannabinoid mixtures might be useful for treating pain under other conditions (e.g., chronic pain), but only if the adverse effects of both drugs are not enhanced in mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Minervini
- Departments of Pharmacology (V.M., S.D., C.P.F.) and Psychiatry (C.P.F.), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Sujata Dahal
- Departments of Pharmacology (V.M., S.D., C.P.F.) and Psychiatry (C.P.F.), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Charles P France
- Departments of Pharmacology (V.M., S.D., C.P.F.) and Psychiatry (C.P.F.), University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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Additive antinociceptive effects of mixtures of the κ-opioid receptor agonist spiradoline and the cannabinoid receptor agonist CP55940 in rats. Behav Pharmacol 2016; 27:69-72. [PMID: 26292184 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Pain is a significant clinical problem, and there is a need for pharmacotherapies that are more effective with fewer adverse effects than currently available medications. Cannabinoid receptor agonists enhance the antinociceptive effects of μ-opioid receptor agonists; it is unclear whether they impact the effects of agonists acting at other opioid receptors. κ-Opioid receptor agonists have antinociceptive effects, but their clinical use is precluded by adverse effects; however, their therapeutic potential might be realized if antinociceptive effects could be selectively enhanced. In this study, the antinociceptive effects of the cannabinoid receptor agonist CP55940 and the κ-opioid receptor agonist spiradoline, alone and in combination, were studied in rats (n=7) using a warm water tail-withdrawal procedure. When administered alone, CP55940 (0.032-1.0 mg/kg) and spiradoline (1.0-32.0 mg/kg) increased tail-withdrawal latency, and mixtures of CP55940 and spiradoline (ratios of 1 : 3, 1 : 1, and 3 : 1) produced additive effects. It remains to be determined whether this additive interaction between a κ-opioid receptor agonist and a cannabinoid receptor agonist is selective for antinociception and whether it can be generalized to other drugs.
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Preclinical studies on the reinforcing effects of cannabinoids. A tribute to the scientific research of Dr. Steve Goldberg. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:1845-66. [PMID: 27026633 PMCID: PMC5073892 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4244-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The reinforcing effects of most abused drugs have been consistently demonstrated and studied in animal models, although those of marijuana were not, until the demonstration 15 years ago that delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) could serve as a reinforcer in self-administration (SA) procedures in squirrel monkeys. Until then, those effects were inferred using indirect assessments. OBJECTIVES The aim of this manuscript is to review the primary preclinical procedures used to indirectly and directly infer reinforcing effects of cannabinoid drugs. METHODS Results will be reviewed from studies of cannabinoid discrimination, intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), conditioned place preference (CPP), as well as change in levels of dopamine assessed in brain areas related to reinforcement, and finally from self-administration procedures. For each procedure, an evaluation will be made of the predictive validity in detecting the potential abuse liability of cannabinoids based on seminal papers, with the addition of selected reports from more recent years especially those from Dr. Goldberg's research group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS ICSS and CPP do not provide consistent results for the assessment of potential for abuse of cannabinoids. However, drug discrimination and neurochemistry procedures appear to detect potential for abuse of cannabinoids, as well as several novel "designer cannabinoid drugs." Though after 15 years transfer of the self-administration model of marijuana abuse from squirrel monkeys to other species remains somewhat problematic, studies with the former species have substantially advanced the field, and several reports have been published with consistent self-administration of cannabinoid agonists in rodents.
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Tampus R, Yoon SS, de la Peña JB, Botanas CJ, Kim HJ, Seo JW, Jeong EJ, Jang CG, Cheong JH. Assessment of the Abuse Liability of Synthetic Cannabinoid Agonists JWH-030, JWH-175, and JWH-176. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2015; 23:590-6. [PMID: 26535085 PMCID: PMC4624076 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2015.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and use of synthetic cannabinoids have greatly increased in recent years. These substances are easily dispensed over the internet and on the streets. Some synthetic cannabinoids were shown to have abuse liability and were subsequently regulated by authorities. However, there are compounds that are still not regulated probably due to the lack of abuse liability studies. In the present study, we assessed the abuse liability of three synthetic cannabinoids, namely JWH-030, JWH-175, and JWH-176. The abuse liability of these drugs was evaluated in two of the most widely used animal models for assessing the abuse potential of drugs, the conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration (SA) test. In addition, the open-field test was utilized to assess the effects of repeated (7 days) treatment and abrupt cessation of these drugs on the psychomotor activity of animals. Results showed that JWH-175 (0.5 mg/kg), but not JWH-030 or JWH-176 at any dose, significantly decreased the locomotor activity of mice. This alteration in locomotor activity was only evident during acute exposure to the drug and was not observed during repeated treatment and abstinence. Similarly, only JWH-175 (0.1 mg/kg) produced significant CPP in rats. On the other hand, none of the drugs tested was self-administered by rats. Taken together, the present results indicate that JWH-175, but not JWH-030 and JWH-176, may have abuse potential. More importantly, our findings indicate the complex psychopharmacological effects of synthetic cannabinoids and the need to closely monitor the production, dispensation, and use of these substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinholdgher Tampus
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Shoon Yoon
- Center for Safety Pharmacology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - June Bryan de la Peña
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
| | - Chrislean Jun Botanas
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Jin Kim
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
| | - Joung-Wook Seo
- Center for Safety Pharmacology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ju Jeong
- Center for Safety Pharmacology, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Daejeon 34114, Republic of Korea
| | - Choon Gon Jang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Cheong
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
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Debruyne D, Le Boisselier R. Emerging drugs of abuse: current perspectives on synthetic cannabinoids. Subst Abuse Rehabil 2015; 6:113-29. [PMID: 26543389 PMCID: PMC4622447 DOI: 10.2147/sar.s73586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
New psychoactive drugs that have appeared over the last decade are typically dominated by cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids (SCs). SCs have been emerging as recreational drugs because they mimic the euphoria effect of cannabis while still being legal. Sprayed on natural herb mixtures, SCs have been primarily sold as "herbal smoking blends" or "herbal incense" under brand names like "Spice" or "K2". Currently, SCs pure compounds are available from websites for the combination with herbal materials or for the use in e-cigarettes. For the past 5 years, an ever increasing number of compounds, representative of different chemical classes, have been promoted and now represent a large assortment of new popular drugs of abuse, which are difficult to properly identify. Their legal status varies by country with many government institutions currently pushing for their control. The in vitro binding to CB1/CB2 receptors is usually well-known and considerable differences have been found in the CB1 versus CB2 selectivity and potency within the different SCs, with several structure-activity relations being evident. Desired effects by CB1 agonist users are relaxation/recreative, however, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or psychiatric/neurological side effects are commonly reported. At present there is no specific antidote existing if an overdose of designer drugs was to occur, and no curative treatment has been approved by health authorities. Management of acute toxic effects is mainly symptomatic and extrapolated from experience with cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danièle Debruyne
- Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence - Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), University Hospital Centre Côte de Nacre, Caen, France ; Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, University Hospital Centre Côte de Nacre, Caen, France
| | - Reynald Le Boisselier
- Centre for Evaluation and Information on Pharmacodependence - Addictovigilance (CEIP-A), University Hospital Centre Côte de Nacre, Caen, France
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Llorente-Berzal A, Terzian ALB, di Marzo V, Micale V, Viveros MP, Wotjak CT. 2-AG promotes the expression of conditioned fear via cannabinoid receptor type 1 on GABAergic neurons. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:2811-25. [PMID: 25814137 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3917-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The contribution of two major endocannabinoids, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA), in the regulation of fear expression is still unknown. OBJECTIVES We analyzed the role of different players of the endocannabinoid system on the expression of a strong auditory-cued fear memory in male mice by pharmacological means. RESULTS The cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) antagonist SR141716 (3 mg/kg) caused an increase in conditioned freezing upon repeated tone presentation on three consecutive days. The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) antagonist AM630 (3 mg/kg), in contrast, had opposite effects during the first tone presentation, with no effects of the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1) antagonist SB366791 (1 and 3 mg/kg). Administration of the CB2 agonist JWH133 (3 mg/kg) failed to affect the acute freezing response, whereas the CB1 agonist CP55,940 (50 μg/kg) augmented it. The endocannabinoid uptake inhibitor AM404 (3 mg/kg), but not VDM11 (3 mg/kg), reduced the acute freezing response. Its co-administration with SR141716 or SB366791 confirmed an involvement of CB1 and TRPV1. AEA degradation inhibition by URB597 (1 mg/kg) decreased, while 2-AG degradation inhibition by JZL184 (4 and 8 mg/kg) increased freezing response. As revealed in conditional CB1-deficient mutants, CB1 on cortical glutamatergic neurons alleviates whereas CB1 on GABAergic neurons slightly enhances fear expression. Moreover, 2-AG fear-promoting effects depended on CB1 signaling in GABAergic neurons, while an involvement of glutamatergic neurons remained inconclusive due to the high freezing shown by vehicle-treated Glu-CB1-KO. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that increased AEA levels mediate acute fear relief, whereas increased 2-AG levels promote the expression of conditioned fear primarily via CB1 on GABAergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Llorente-Berzal
- Departamento de Fisiología (Fisiología Animal II), Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C/ Jose Antonio Novais 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Deng L, Cornett BL, Mackie K, Hohmann AG. CB1 Knockout Mice Unveil Sustained CB2-Mediated Antiallodynic Effects of the Mixed CB1/CB2 Agonist CP55,940 in a Mouse Model of Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 88:64-74. [PMID: 25904556 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.098483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids suppress neuropathic pain through activation of cannabinoid CB1 and/or CB2 receptors; however, unwanted CB1-mediated cannabimimetic effects limit clinical use. We asked whether CP55,940 [(-)-3-[2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl]-4-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexanol], a potent cannabinoid that binds with similar affinity to CB1 and CB2 in vitro, produces functionally separable CB1- and CB2-mediated pharmacological effects in vivo. We evaluated antiallodynic effects, possible tolerance, and cannabimimetic effects (e.g., hypothermia, catalepsy, CB1-dependent withdrawal signs) after systemic CP55,940 treatment in a mouse model of toxic neuropathy produced by a chemotherapeutic agent, paclitaxel. The contribution of CB1 and CB2 receptors to in vivo actions of CP55,940 was evaluated using CB1 knockout (KO), CB2KO, and wild-type (WT) mice. Low-dose CP55,940 (0.3 mg/kg daily, i.p. ) suppressed paclitaxel-induced allodynia in WT and CB2KO mice, but not CB1KO mice. Low-dose CP55,940 also produced hypothermia and rimonabant-precipitated withdrawal in WT, but not CB1KO, mice. In WT mice, tolerance developed to CB1-mediated hypothermic effects of CP55,940 earlier than to antiallodynic effects. High-dose CP55,940 (10 mg/kg daily, i.p.) produced catalepsy in WT mice, which precluded determination of antiallodynic efficacy but produced sustained CB2-mediated suppression of paclitaxel-induced allodynia in CB1KO mice; these antiallodynic effects were blocked by the CB2 antagonist 6-iodopravadoline (AM630). High-dose CP55,940 did not produce hypothermia or rimonabant-precipitated withdrawal in CB1KO mice. Our results using the mixed CB1/CB2 agonist CP55,940 document that CB1 and CB2 receptor activations produce mechanistically distinct suppression of neuropathic pain. Our study highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting cannabinoid CB2 receptors to bypass unwanted central effects associated with CB1 receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liting Deng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (L.D.), Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (L.D., B.L.C., K.M., A.G.H.), The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Science (L.D., B.L.C., K.M., A.G.H.), Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Benjamin L Cornett
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (L.D.), Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (L.D., B.L.C., K.M., A.G.H.), The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Science (L.D., B.L.C., K.M., A.G.H.), Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (L.D.), Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (L.D., B.L.C., K.M., A.G.H.), The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Science (L.D., B.L.C., K.M., A.G.H.), Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
| | - Andrea G Hohmann
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (L.D.), Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences (L.D., B.L.C., K.M., A.G.H.), The Linda and Jack Gill Center for Biomolecular Science (L.D., B.L.C., K.M., A.G.H.), Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
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Ignatowska-Jankowska B, Wilkerson JL, Mustafa M, Abdullah R, Niphakis M, Wiley JL, Cravatt BF, Lichtman AH. Selective monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors: antinociceptive versus cannabimimetic effects in mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2015; 353:424-32. [PMID: 25762694 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.222315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The endogenous cannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) plays an important role in a variety of physiologic processes, but its rapid breakdown by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) results in short-lived actions. Initial MAGL inhibitors were limited by poor selectivity and low potency. In this study, we tested JZL184 [4-nitrophenyl 4-[bis(2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)(hydroxy)methyl]piperidine-1-carboxylate] and MJN110 [2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl 4-(bis(4-chlorophenyl)methyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate], MAGL inhibitors that possess increased selectivity and potency, in mouse behavioral assays of neuropathic pain [chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve], interoceptive cannabimimetic effects (drug-discrimination paradigm), and locomotor activity in an open field test. MJN110 (1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg) and JZL184 (16 and 40 mg/kg) significantly elevated 2-AG and decreased arachidonic acid but did not affect anandamide in whole brains. Both MAGL inhibitors significantly reduced CCI-induced mechanical allodynia with the following potencies [ED50 (95% confidence limit [CL]) values in mg/kg: MJN110 (0.43 [0.30-0.63]) > JZL184 (17.8 [11.6-27.4])] and also substituted for the potent cannabinoid receptor agonist CP55,940 [2-[(1R,2R,5R)-5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexyl]-5-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)phenol] in the drug-discrimination paradigm [ED50 (95% CL) values in mg/kg: MJN110 (0.84 [0.69-1.02]) > JZL184 (24.9 [14.6-42.5])]; however, these compounds elicited differential effects on locomotor behavior. Similar to cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor agonists, JZL184 produced hypomotility, whereas MJN110 increased locomotor behavior and did not produce catalepsy or hypothermia. Although both drugs substituted for CP55,940 in the drug discrimination assay, MJN110 was more potent in reversing allodynia in the CCI model than in producing CP55,940-like effects. Overall, these results suggest that MAGL inhibition may alleviate neuropathic pain, while displaying limited cannabimimetic effects compared with direct CB1 receptor agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bogna Ignatowska-Jankowska
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (B.I.-J., J.L.Wilk., M.M., R.A., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.N., B.F.C.); and Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.Wile.)
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (B.I.-J., J.L.Wilk., M.M., R.A., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.N., B.F.C.); and Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.Wile.)
| | - Mohammed Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (B.I.-J., J.L.Wilk., M.M., R.A., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.N., B.F.C.); and Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.Wile.)
| | - Rehab Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (B.I.-J., J.L.Wilk., M.M., R.A., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.N., B.F.C.); and Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.Wile.)
| | - Micah Niphakis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (B.I.-J., J.L.Wilk., M.M., R.A., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.N., B.F.C.); and Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.Wile.)
| | - Jenny L Wiley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (B.I.-J., J.L.Wilk., M.M., R.A., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.N., B.F.C.); and Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.Wile.)
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (B.I.-J., J.L.Wilk., M.M., R.A., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.N., B.F.C.); and Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.Wile.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (B.I.-J., J.L.Wilk., M.M., R.A., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.N., B.F.C.); and Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.Wile.)
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Guidetti R, Astles PC, Sanderson AJ, Hollinshead SP, Johnson MP, Chambers MG. The SAR development of substituted purine derivatives as selective CB2 agonists for the treatment of chronic pain. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2014; 24:5572-5575. [PMID: 25466177 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2014.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) and the associated joint pain are highly prevalent and a leading cause of disability. We have previously reported the identification of a series of purines as selective CB2 agonists and the identification of compound 1 as a clinical candidate for the treatment of joint pain. In this article we describe the further SAR development of the purine scaffold leading to the discovery of compound 6 as a potent, CNS penetrating CB2 agonist with high selectivity for CB2 over CB1 and oral efficacy in animal models of chronic OA pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Guidetti
- Discovery Chemistry, Erl Wood Manor, Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Sunningdale Road, Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6PH, UK.
| | - Peter C Astles
- Discovery Chemistry, Erl Wood Manor, Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Sunningdale Road, Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Adam J Sanderson
- Discovery Chemistry, Erl Wood Manor, Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Sunningdale Road, Windlesham, Surrey GU20 6PH, UK
| | - Sean P Hollinshead
- Discovery Chemistry, Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Michael P Johnson
- Neuroscience Discovery, Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Mark G Chambers
- Musculoskeletal Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
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Le Foll B, Pushparaj A, Pryslawsky Y, Forget B, Vemuri K, Makriyannis A, Trigo JM. Translational strategies for therapeutic development in nicotine addiction: rethinking the conventional bench to bedside approach. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 52:86-93. [PMID: 24140878 PMCID: PMC4002666 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2013] [Revised: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco produces an impressive burden of disease resulting in premature death in half of users. Despite effective smoking cessation medications (nicotine replacement therapies, bupropion and varenicline), there is a very high rate of relapse following quit attempts. The use of efficient strategies for the development of novel treatments is a necessity. A 'bench to bedside strategy' was initially used to develop cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonists for the treatment of nicotine addiction. Unfortunately, after being tested on experimental animals, what seemed to be an interesting approach for the treatment of nicotine addiction resulted in serious unwanted side effects when tested in humans. Current research is focusing again on pre-clinical models in an effort to eliminate unwanted side effects while preserving the initially observed efficacy. A 'bed side to bench strategy' was used to study the role of the insula (part of the frontal cortex) in nicotine addiction. This line of research started based on clinical observations that patients suffering stroke-induced lesions to the insula showed a greater likelihood to report immediate smoking cessation without craving or relapse. Subsequently, animal models of addiction are used to explore the role of insula in addiction. Due to the inherent limitations existing in clinical versus preclinical studies, the possibility of close interaction between both models seems to be critical for the successful development of novel therapeutic strategies for nicotine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Le Foll
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; Alcohol Research and Treatment Clinic, Addiction Medicine Services, Ambulatory Care and Structured Treatments, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Abhiram Pushparaj
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
| | - Yaroslaw Pryslawsky
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
| | - Benoit Forget
- Integrative Neurobiology of Cholinergic Systems, Department of Neuroscience, Pasteur Institute, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, Paris 75724, France
| | - Kiran Vemuri
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115-5005, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115-5005, United States; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115-5005, United States
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115-5005, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115-5005, United States; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115-5005, United States
| | - Jose M Trigo
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
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Ma L, Wang L, Yang F, Meng XD, Wu C, Ma H, Jiang W. Disease-modifying effects of RHC80267 and JZL184 in a pilocarpine mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. CNS Neurosci Ther 2014; 20:905-15. [PMID: 24989980 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) often suffer from comorbid psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, or impaired cognitive performance. Endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling is a key regulator of synaptic neurotransmission and has been implicated in the mechanisms of epilepsy as well as several mood disorders and cognitive impairments. AIMS We employed a pilocarpine model of TLE in C57/BJ mice to investigate the role of eCB signaling in epileptogenesis and concomitant psychiatric comorbidities. METHODS AND RESULTS We sought to alter the neuronal levels of a known eCB receptor ligand, 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), through the use of RHC80267 or JZL184. Pilocarpine-treated mice were treated with RHC80267 (1.3 μmol) or JZL184 (20 mg/kg) immediately after the termination of status epilepticus (SE), which was followed by daily treatment for the next 7 days. Our results indicated that RHC80267 treatment significantly reduced the percentage of mice suffering from spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) in addition to decreasing the duration of observed seizures when compared to vehicle treatment. Furthermore, RHC80267 attenuated depression and anxiety-related behaviors, improved previously impaired spatial learning and memory, and inhibited seizure-induced hippocampal neuronal loss during the chronic epileptic period. In contrast, JZL184 administration markedly increased the frequency and the duration of observed SRS, enhanced the previously impaired neuropsychological performance, and increased hippocampal damage following SE. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that RHC80267 treatment after the onset of SE could result in an amelioration of the effects found during the chronic epileptic period and yield an overall decrease in epileptic symptoms and comorbid conditions. Thus, alterations to endocannabinoid signaling may serve as a potential mechanism to prevent epileptogenesis and manipulation of this signaling pathway as a possible drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ma
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Sharkey KA, Darmani NA, Parker LA. Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system. Eur J Pharmacol 2014; 722:134-46. [PMID: 24184696 PMCID: PMC3883513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.09.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Revised: 09/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nausea and vomiting (emesis) are important elements in defensive or protective responses that animals use to avoid ingestion or digestion of potentially harmful substances. However, these neurally-mediated responses are at times manifested as symptoms of disease and they are frequently observed as side-effects of a variety of medications, notably those used to treat cancer. Cannabis has long been known to limit or prevent nausea and vomiting from a variety of causes. This has led to extensive investigations that have revealed an important role for cannabinoids and their receptors in the regulation of nausea and emesis. With the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, novel ways to regulate both nausea and vomiting have been discovered that involve the production of endogenous cannabinoids acting centrally. Here we review recent progress in understanding the regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, and we discuss the potential to utilize the endocannabinoid system in the treatment of these frequently debilitating conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Sharkey
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1.
| | - Nissar A Darmani
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Hillard CJ, Liu QS. Endocannabinoid signaling in the etiology and treatment of major depressive illness. Curr Pharm Des 2014; 20:3795-811. [PMID: 24180398 PMCID: PMC4002665 DOI: 10.2174/13816128113196660735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to examine human and preclinical data that are relevant to the following hypotheses. The first hypothesis is that deficient CB1R-mediated signaling results in symptoms that mimic those seen in depression. The second hypothesis is that activation of CB1R-mediated signaling results in behavioral, endocrine and other effects that are similar to those produced by currently used antidepressants. The third hypothesis is that conventional antidepressant therapies act through enhanced CB1R mediated signaling. Together the available data indicate that activators of CB1R signaling, particularly inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase, should be considered for clinical trials for the treatment of depression.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antidepressive Agents/pharmacology
- Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use
- Brain/drug effects
- Brain/enzymology
- Brain/metabolism
- Brain/pathology
- Cannabis
- Depressive Disorder, Major/drug therapy
- Depressive Disorder, Major/etiology
- Depressive Disorder, Major/genetics
- Depressive Disorder, Major/pathology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endocannabinoids/genetics
- Endocannabinoids/metabolism
- Humans
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Neurogenesis/drug effects
- Polymorphism, Genetic
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qing-song Liu
- Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226.
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Panagis G, Mackey B, Vlachou S. Cannabinoid Regulation of Brain Reward Processing with an Emphasis on the Role of CB1 Receptors: A Step Back into the Future. Front Psychiatry 2014; 5:92. [PMID: 25132823 PMCID: PMC4117180 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2014.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decades, the endocannabinoid system has been implicated in a large variety of functions, including a crucial modulation of brain-reward circuits and the regulation of motivational processes. Importantly, behavioral studies have shown that cannabinoid compounds activate brain reward mechanisms and circuits in a similar manner to other drugs of abuse, such as nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, and heroin, although the conditions under which cannabinoids exert their rewarding effects may be more limited. Furthermore, there is evidence on the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of cue- and drug-induced relapsing phenomena in animal models. The aim of this review is to briefly present the available data obtained using diverse behavioral experimental approaches in experimental animals, namely, the intracranial self-stimulation paradigm, the self-administration procedure, the conditioned place preference procedure, and the reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior procedure, to provide a comprehensive picture of the current status of what is known about the endocannabinoid system mechanisms that underlie modification of brain-reward processes. Emphasis is placed on the effects of cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor agonists, antagonists, and endocannabinoid modulators. Further, the role of CB1 receptors in reward processes is investigated through presentation of respective genetic ablation studies in mice. The vast majority of studies in the existing literature suggest that the endocannabinoid system plays a major role in modulating motivation and reward processes. However, much remains to be done before we fully understand these interactions. Further research in the future will shed more light on these processes and, thus, could lead to the development of potential pharmacotherapies designed to treat reward-dysfunction-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Panagis
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Crete , Rethymno , Greece
| | - Brian Mackey
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroscience, School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Styliani Vlachou
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neuroscience, School of Nursing and Human Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, Dublin City University , Dublin , Ireland
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Biphasic effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on brain stimulation reward and motor activity. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2013; 16:2273-84. [PMID: 23830148 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145713000709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC), the main psychoactive ingredient of marijuana, has led to equivocal results when tested with the intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) procedure or the open-field test for motor activity, two behavioural models for evaluating the reward-facilitating and locomotor stimulating effects of drugs of abuse, respectively. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of high and low doses of Δ(9)-THC were compared in the ICSS procedure and the open-field test. Moreover, the involvement of CB(1) receptors in tentative Δ(9)-THC-induced effects was investigated by pre-treating the animals with the CB(1) receptor antagonist SR141716A (rimonabant). The results obtained show that low doses of Δ(9)-THC induce opposite effects from high doses of Δ(9)-THC. Specifically, 0.1 mg/kg Δ(9)-THC decreased ICSS thresholds and produced hyperactivity, whereas 1 mg/kg increased ICSS thresholds and produced hypoactivity. Both effects were reversed by pre-treatment with SR141716A, indicating the involvement of CB(1) receptors on these actions. Altogether, our results indicate that Δ(9)-THC can produce acute activating effects in locomotion that coincide with its reward-facilitating effects in the ICSS paradigm. The present findings provide further support that Δ(9)-THC induces behaviours typical of abuse and substantiate the notion that marijuana resembles other drugs of abuse.
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Klug M, van den Buuse M. An investigation into "two hit" effects of BDNF deficiency and young-adult cannabinoid receptor stimulation on prepulse inhibition regulation and memory in mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2013; 7:149. [PMID: 24155701 PMCID: PMC3800788 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2013.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling has been shown in the frontal cortex and hippocampus in schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a BDNF deficit would modulate effects of chronic cannabis intake, a well-described risk factor for schizophrenia development. BDNF heterozygous mice (HET) and wild-type controls were chronically treated during weeks 6, 7, and 8 of life with the cannabinoid receptor agonist, CP55,940 (CP). After a 2-week delay, there were no CP-induced deficits in any of the groups in short-term spatial memory in a Y-maze task or novel object recognition memory. Baseline prepulse inhibition (PPI) was lower but average startle was increased in BDNF HET compared to wild-type controls. Acute CP administration before the PPI session caused a marked increase in PPI in male HET mice pre-treated with CP but not in any of the other male groups. In females, there were small increases of PPI in all groups upon acute CP administration. Acute CP administration furthermore reduced startle and this effect was greater in HET mice irrespective of chronic CP pre-treatment. Analysis of the levels of [3H]CP55,940 binding by autoradiography revealed a significant increase in the nucleus accumbens of male BDNF HET mice previously treated with CP but not in any of the other groups or in the caudate nucleus. These results show that BDNF deficiency and chronic young-adult cannabinoid receptor stimulation do not interact in this model on learning and memory later in life. In contrast, male “two hit” mice, but not females, were hypersensitive to the effect of acute CP on sensorimotor gating. These effects may be related to a selective increase of [3H]CP55,940 binding in the nucleus accumbens, reflecting up-regulation of CB1 receptor density in this region. These data could be of relevance to our understanding of differential “two hit” neurodevelopmental mechanisms in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maren Klug
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Mental Health Research Institute Melbourne, VIC, Australia ; Department of Psychology, Swinburne University of Technology Hawthorn, VIC, Australia
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Hollinshead SP, Tidwell MW, Palmer J, Guidetti R, Sanderson A, Johnson MP, Chambers MG, Oskins J, Stratford R, Astles PC. Selective cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) agonists: optimization of a series of purines leading to the identification of a clinical candidate for the treatment of osteoarthritic pain. J Med Chem 2013; 56:5722-33. [PMID: 23795771 DOI: 10.1021/jm400305d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A focused screening strategy identified thienopyrimidine 12 as a cannabinoid receptor type 2 agonist (hCB2) with moderate selectivity over the hCB1 receptor. This initial hit suffered from poor in vitro metabolic stability and high in vivo clearance. Structure-activity relationships describe the optimization and modification to a new more polar series of purine CB2 agonists. Examples from this novel scaffold were found to be highly potent and fully efficacious agonists of the human CB2 receptor with excellent selectivity against CB1, often having no CB1 agonist activity at the highest concentration measured (>100 μM). Compound 26 is a centrally penetrant molecule which possesses good biopharmaceutical properties, is highly water-soluble, and demonstrates robust oral activity in rodent models of joint pain. In addition, the peripherally restricted molecule 22 also demonstrated significant efficacy in the same analgesic model of rodent inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean P Hollinshead
- Lilly Research Laboratories, A Division of Eli Lilly and Company , Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 46285, United States
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Akhtar MT, Ali S, Rashidi H, van der Kooy F, Verpoorte R, Richardson MK. Developmental effects of cannabinoids on zebrafish larvae. Zebrafish 2013; 10:283-93. [PMID: 23789728 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2012.0785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids are natural or synthetic compounds related chemically to (-)-(6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol (Δ(9)-THC), the principle psychotropic constituent of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa L. Here we examine the effects of the cannabinoids Δ(9)-THC, (R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl)pyrrolo [1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1-napthalenylmethanone and 2-[(1R,2R,5R)-5-hydroxy-2-(3-hydroxypropyl) cyclohexyl]-5-(2-methyloctan-2-yl)phenol, and the cannabinoid antagonist (AM 251). Exposures were either acute (1-12-h exposure at 108 hours of postfertilization [hpf]) or chronic (96-h exposure starting at 24 hpf). Geometric range finding was used to determine the experimental concentrations. The concentration of the chemical that kills 50% of the test animals in a given time (LC50) was determined based on cumulative mortality at 5 days of postfertilization. At day 5, behavioral analysis (visual motor response test) was carried out in which movement of individual larvae was analysed using automated video-tracking. With acute exposure, embryos showed a biphasic response to the dark challenge with all three cannabinoids tested. This response consisted of stimulation of the locomotor activity at low concentrations, suppression at high doses. With chronic exposure, embryos habituated to the effects of all three cannabinoids when assayed with the dark challenge phase. Further, the excitation was ameliorated when the antagonist AM 251 was coadministered with the cannabinoid. When AM 251 was administered on its own (chronically or acutely), the locomotor activity was suppressed at high concentrations. We examined the embryos for a range of malformations after chronic exposure to cannabinoid. Only Δ(9)-THC was associated with a significant increase in malformations at 5d (yolk sac and pericardial edema, bent tail/body axis). We conclude that cannabinoids have behavioral effects in zebrafish that are comparable to some of those reported in the literature for mammals. In particular, the acute exposure response resembles behavioral effects reported for adult rodents. Our data are consistent with these behavioral effects being mediated, at least in part, by the CB1 receptor.
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Tambaro S, Tomasi ML, Bortolato M. Long-term CB₁ receptor blockade enhances vulnerability to anxiogenic-like effects of cannabinoids. Neuropharmacology 2013; 70:268-77. [PMID: 23462228 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Revised: 02/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Compelling evidence has documented the anxiolytic and mood-enhancing properties of cannabis. In susceptible users, however, consumption of this drug is conducive to panic, paranoia and dysphoria. We hypothesized that the up-regulation of CB₁ receptors (CB₁Rs) in select brain regions may enhance the vulnerability to cannabinoid-induced anxiety. To test this possibility, we assessed the behavioral impact of a potent cannabinoid agonist (CP55,940; 0.05-0.1 mg/kg, IP) on C57BL/6 male mice, respectively subjected to a prolonged pre-treatment of either the selective CB₁R antagonist/inverse agonist AM251 (1 mg/kg/day IP, for 21 days, followed by a 3-day clearance period before testing) or its vehicle (VEH1). Anxiety-like responses were studied in the novel open field, elevated plus maze (EPM) and social interaction assays. While CP55,940 induced anxiolytic-like effects in the EPM in VEH1-exposed animals, it elicited opposite actions in AM251-exposed mice. In this last group, CP55,940 also reduced rearing and social interaction in comparison to its vehicle (VEH2). The divergent effects of CP55,940 in AM251- and VEH1-pretreated animals were confirmed in 129SvEv mice. Immunoblotting analyses on brain samples of C57BL/6 mice revealed that AM251 pre-treatment caused a significant up-regulation of CB₁R expression in the prefrontal cortex and striatum, but also a down-regulation of these receptors in the hippocampus and midbrain. Notably, CB₁R levels in the prefrontal cortex were negatively correlated with anxiolysis-related indices in the EPM; furthermore, midbrain CB₁R expression was positively correlated with the total duration of social interaction. These results suggest that regional variations in brain CB₁R expression may differentially condition the behavioral effects of cannabinoids with respect to anxiety-related responses.
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Renard J, Krebs MO, Jay TM, Le Pen G. Long-term cognitive impairments induced by chronic cannabinoid exposure during adolescence in rats: a strain comparison. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 225:781-90. [PMID: 22983145 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-012-2865-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE During cerebral development, adolescence is a critical phase in which the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in regulating various neurotransmitters. Moreover, evidence from both human and animal studies suggests that chronic cannabinoid exposure during this vulnerable period can induce persistent brain and behavioural alterations. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare the long-term cognitive consequences of chronic adolescence cannabinoid exposure between Lister Hooded rats and Wistar rats. METHODS Rats of both strains were injected daily throughout their adolescent or adult periods with vehicle or with incremental doses of the synthetic cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist CP55,940 (CP). Short-term and spatial working memories were assessed using the object recognition and object location, tasks respectively. For both tasks, the effect of a 30- or 120-min delay between the learning and the testing phase was investigated. RESULTS In the object recognition task, adolescent CP exposure impaired short-term memory after both delays in both strains. In contrast, in the object location task, adolescent CP exposure impaired spatial working memory in the Wistar rats after a 30-min delay, whereas the Lister Hooded rats exhibited a similar effect only after a 120-min delay. In these tests, no long-term deleterious effects were found following adult CP exposure in either strain. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that adolescence is a critical period for the deleterious effects of cannabinoids on cognition and that these deleterious effects on spatial working memory are more strain-dependent than the effects observed on short-term memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Renard
- Laboratoire de "Physiopathologie des maladies Psychiatriques", Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences U894, INSERM, Paris, France
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Discovery and optimization of novel purines as potent and selective CB2 agonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:4962-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.06.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Revised: 06/07/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Klug M, van den Buuse M. Chronic cannabinoid treatment during young adulthood induces sex-specific behavioural deficits in maternally separated rats. Behav Brain Res 2012; 233:305-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2012] [Revised: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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de Wit H, Phillips TJ. Do initial responses to drugs predict future use or abuse? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2012; 36:1565-76. [PMID: 22542906 PMCID: PMC3372699 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2011] [Revised: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Individuals vary in their initial reactions to drugs of abuse in ways that may contribute to the likelihood of subsequent drug use. In humans, most drugs of abuse produce positive subjective states such as euphoria and feelings of well-being, which may facilitate repeated use. In nonhumans, many drugs initially increase locomotor activity and produce discriminative stimulus effects, both of which have been considered to be models of human stimulant and subjective states. Both humans and nonhumans vary in their sensitivity to early acute drug effects in ways that may predict future use or self-administration, and some of these variations appear to be genetic in origin. However, it is not known exactly how the initial responses to drugs in either humans or nonhumans relate to subsequent use or abuse. In humans, positive effects of drugs facilitate continued use of a drug while negative effects discourage use, and in nonhumans, greater genetic risk for drug intake is predicted by reduced sensitivity to drug aversive effects; but whether these initial responses affect escalation of drug use, and the development of dependence is currently unknown. Although early use of a drug is a necessary step in the progression to abuse and dependence, other variables may be of greater importance in the transition from use to abuse. Alternatively, the same variables that predict initial acute drug effects and early use may significantly contribute to continued use, escalation and dependence. Here we review the existing evidence for relations between initial direct drug effects, early use, and continued use. Ultimately, these relations can only be determined from systematic longitudinal studies with comprehensive assessments from early drug responses to progression of problem drug use. In parallel, additional investigation of initial responses in animal models as predictors of drug use will shed light on the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet de Wit
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, MC3077, Chicago, IL 60637, United States.
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Mateos B, Borcel E, Loriga R, Luesu W, Bini V, Llorente R, Castelli MP, Viveros MP. Adolescent exposure to nicotine and/or the cannabinoid agonist CP 55,940 induces gender-dependent long-lasting memory impairments and changes in brain nicotinic and CB(1) cannabinoid receptors. J Psychopharmacol 2011; 25:1676-90. [PMID: 20562169 DOI: 10.1177/0269881110370503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We have analysed the long-term effects of adolescent (postnatal day 28-43) exposure of male and female rats to nicotine (NIC, 1.4 mg/kg/day) and/or the cannabinoid agonist CP 55,940 (CP, 0.4 mg/kg/day) on the following parameters measured in the adulthood: (1) the memory ability evaluated in the object location task (OL) and in the novel object test (NOT); (2) the anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze; and (3) nicotinic and CB(1) cannabinoid receptors in cingulated cortex and hippocampus. In the OL, all pharmacological treatments induced significant decreases in the DI of females, whereas no significant effects were found among males. In the NOT, NIC-treated females showed a significantly reduced DI, whereas the effect of the cannabinoid agonist (a decrease in the DI) was only significant in males. The anxiety-related behaviour was not changed by any drug. Both, nicotine and cannabinoid treatments induced a long-lasting increase in CB(1) receptor activity (CP-stimulated GTPγS binding) in male rats, and the nicotine treatment also induced a decrease in nicotinic receptor density in the prefrontal cortex of females. The results show gender-dependent harmful effects of both drugs and long-lasting changes in CB(1) and nicotinic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Mateos
- Department of Physiology (Animal Physiology II), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
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46
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Klein C, Karanges E, Spiro A, Wong A, Spencer J, Huynh T, Gunasekaran N, Karl T, Long LE, Huang XF, Liu K, Arnold JC, McGregor IS. Cannabidiol potentiates Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) behavioural effects and alters THC pharmacokinetics during acute and chronic treatment in adolescent rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011; 218:443-57. [PMID: 21667074 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-011-2342-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2011] [Accepted: 04/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The interactions between Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) during chronic treatment, and at equivalent doses, are not well characterised in animal models. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to examine whether the behavioural effects of THC, and blood and brain THC levels are affected by pre-treatment with equivalent CBD doses. METHODS Adolescent rats were treated with ascending daily THC doses over 21 days (1 then 3 then 10 mg/kg). Some rats were given equivalent CBD doses 20 min prior to each THC injection to allow examination of possible antagonistic effects of CBD. During dosing, rats were assessed for THC and CBD/THC effects on anxiety-like behaviour, social interaction and place conditioning. At the end of dosing, blood and brain levels of THC, and CB(1) and 5-HT(1A) receptor binding were assessed. RESULTS CBD potentiated an inhibition of body weight gain caused by chronic THC, and mildly augmented the anxiogenic effects, locomotor suppressant effects and decreased social interaction seen with THC. A trend towards place preference was observed in adolescent rats given CBD/THC but not those given THC alone. With both acute and chronic administration, CBD pre-treatment potentiated blood and brain THC levels, and lowered levels of THC metabolites (THC-COOH and 11-OH-THC). CBD co-administration did not alter the THC-induced decreases in CB(1) receptor binding and no drug effects on 5-HT(1A) receptor binding were observed. CONCLUSIONS CBD can potentiate the psychoactive and physiological effects of THC in rats, most likely by delaying the metabolism and elimination of THC through an action on the CYP450 enzymes that metabolise both drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Klein
- Schools of Psychology and Department of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, Brennan MacCullum Building, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Llorente-Berzal A, Fuentes S, Gagliano H, López-Gallardo M, Armario A, Viveros MP, Nadal R. Sex-dependent effects of maternal deprivation and adolescent cannabinoid treatment on adult rat behaviour. Addict Biol 2011; 16:624-37. [PMID: 21521421 DOI: 10.1111/j.1369-1600.2011.00318.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Early life experiences such as maternal deprivation (MD) exert long-lasting changes in adult behaviour and reactivity to stressors. Adolescent exposure to cannabinoids is a predisposing factor in developing certain psychiatric disorders. Therefore, the combination of the two factors could exacerbate the negative consequences of each factor when evaluated at adulthood. The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of early MD [24 hours at postnatal day (PND) 9] and/or an adolescent chronic treatment with the cannabinoid agonist CP-55,940 (0.4 mg/kg, PND 28-42) on diverse behavioural and physiological responses of adult male and female Wistar rats. We tested them in the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response and analysed their exploratory activity (holeboard) and anxiety (elevated plus maze, EPM). In addition, we evaluated their adrenocortical reactivity in response to stress and plasma leptin levels. Maternal behaviour was measured before and after deprivation. MD induced a transient increase of maternal behaviour on reuniting. In adulthood, maternally deprived males showed anxiolytic-like behaviour (or increased risk-taking behaviour) in the EPM. Adolescent exposure to the cannabinoid agonist induced an impairment of the PPI in females and increased adrenocortical responsiveness to the PPI test in males. Both, MD and adolescent cannabinoid exposure also induced sex-dependent changes in plasma leptin levels and body weights. The present results indicate that early MD and adolescent cannabinoid exposure exerted distinct sex-dependent long-term behavioural and physiological modifications that could predispose to the development of certain neuropsychiatric disorders, though no synergistic effects were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Llorente-Berzal
- Department of Physiology, School of Biological Sciences, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
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Rawls SM, Benamar K. Effects of opioids, cannabinoids, and vanilloids on body temperature. Front Biosci (Schol Ed) 2011; 3:822-45. [PMID: 21622235 DOI: 10.2741/190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Cannabinoid and opioid drugs produce marked changes in body temperature. Recent findings have extended our knowledge about the thermoregulatory effects of cannabinoids and opioids, particularly as related to delta opioid receptors, endogenous systems, and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Although delta opioid receptors were originally thought to play only a minor role in thermoregulation compared to mu and kappa opioid receptors, their activation has been shown to produce hypothermia in multiple species. Endogenous opioids and cannabinoids also regulate body temperature. Mu and kappa opioid receptors are thought to be in tonic balance, with mu and kappa receptor activation producing hyperthermia and hypothermia, respectively. A particularly intense research focus is TRP channels, where TRPV1 channel activation produces hypothermia whereas TRPA1 and TRPM8 channel activation causes hyperthermia. The marked hyperthermia produced by TRPV1 channel antagonists suggests these warm channels tonically control body temperature. A better understanding of the roles of cannabinoid, opioid, and TRP systems in thermoregulation may have broad clinical implications and provide insights into interactions among neurotransmitter systems involved in thermoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Rawls
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University Health Sciences Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
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The schizophrenia susceptibility gene neuregulin 1 modulates tolerance to the effects of cannabinoids. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2011; 14:631-43. [PMID: 20701826 DOI: 10.1017/s146114571000091x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis increases the risk of schizophrenia in genetically vulnerable individuals. In this study we aim to show that the schizophrenia susceptibility gene neuregulin 1 (Nrg1) modulates the development of tolerance to cannabinoids in mice. Nrg1 heterozygous (HET) and wild-type (WT) mice were treated daily for 15 d with the synthetic analogue of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, CP55,940 (0.4 mg/kg). We measured the impact of this exposure on locomotor activity, anxiety, prepulse inhibition (PPI), body temperature and FosB/ΔFosB immunohistochemistry. Tolerance to CP55,940-induced hypothermia and locomotor suppression developed more rapidly in Nrg1 HET mice than WT mice. Conversely in the light-dark test, while tolerance to the anxiogenic effect of CP55,940 developed in WT mice over days of testing, Nrg1 hypomorphs maintained marked anxiety even after 15 d of treatment. Repeated cannabinoid exposure selectively increased FosB/ΔFosB expression in the lateral septum, ventral part (LSV) of Nrg1 HET but not WT mice. On day 1 of exposure opposite effects of CP55,940 treatment were observed on PPI, i.e. it was facilitated in Nrg1 hypomorphs and impaired in WT mice, despite the drug significantly impairing the acoustic startle reflex equally in both genotypes. These effects of CP55,940 on PPI were not maintained as both genotypes became tolerant to cannabinoid action with repeated exposure. Our results highlight that Nrg1 modulates the development of cannabinoid tolerance dependent on the parameter being measured. Furthermore, these data reinforce the notion that the VLS is an important brain region involved in Nrg1-cannabinoid interactions.
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Rawls SM, Benamar K. Effects of opioids, cannabinoids, and vanilloids on body temperature. Front Biosci (Schol Ed) 2011. [PMID: 21622235 DOI: 10.2741/s190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid and opioid drugs produce marked changes in body temperature. Recent findings have extended our knowledge about the thermoregulatory effects of cannabinoids and opioids, particularly as related to delta opioid receptors, endogenous systems, and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Although delta opioid receptors were originally thought to play only a minor role in thermoregulation compared to mu and kappa opioid receptors, their activation has been shown to produce hypothermia in multiple species. Endogenous opioids and cannabinoids also regulate body temperature. Mu and kappa opioid receptors are thought to be in tonic balance, with mu and kappa receptor activation producing hyperthermia and hypothermia, respectively. A particularly intense research focus is TRP channels, where TRPV1 channel activation produces hypothermia whereas TRPA1 and TRPM8 channel activation causes hyperthermia. The marked hyperthermia produced by TRPV1 channel antagonists suggests these warm channels tonically control body temperature. A better understanding of the roles of cannabinoid, opioid, and TRP systems in thermoregulation may have broad clinical implications and provide insights into interactions among neurotransmitter systems involved in thermoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Rawls
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University Health Sciences Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
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