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Melford SE, Taylor AH, Konje JC. Of mice and (wo)men: factors influencing successful implantation including endocannabinoids. Hum Reprod Update 2013; 20:415-28. [DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmt060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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52
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Bioque M, García-Bueno B, MacDowell KS, Meseguer A, Saiz PA, Parellada M, Gonzalez-Pinto A, Rodriguez-Jimenez R, Lobo A, Leza JC, Bernardo M. Peripheral endocannabinoid system dysregulation in first-episode psychosis. Neuropsychopharmacology 2013; 38:2568-77. [PMID: 23822951 PMCID: PMC3828529 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2013.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Several hypotheses involving alterations of the immune system have been proposed among etiological explanations for psychotic disorders. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a homeostatic role as an endogenous neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory system. Alterations of this system have been associated with psychosis. Cannabis use is a robust risk factor for these disorders that could alter the ECS signalling. In this study, 95 patients with a first episode of psychosis (FEP) and 90 healthy controls were recruited. Protein expression of cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), the protein levels of the main endocannabinoid synthesizing enzymes N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase (NAPE) and diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL), and of degradation enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) were determined by western blot analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Patients with a FEP showed a decreased expression of CB2 and of both endocannabinoids synthesizing enzymes (NAPE and DAGL) in comparison to healthy controls. After controlling for age, gender, body mass index, and cannabis use, NAPE and DAGL expression remained significantly decreased, whereas FAAH and MAGL expression were increased. On the other hand, FEP subjects with history of severe cannabis use showed a larger ECS dysregulation compared with healthy controls. These results indicate an ECS dysregulation in PBMC of FEP patients. The alteration of the ECS presented at the initial phases of psychosis could be contributing to the pathophysiology of the disease and constitutes a possible biomarker of psychotic disorders and an interesting pharmacological target to take into account for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miquel Bioque
- Schizophrenia Clinic Unit, Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Borja García-Bueno
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación, Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Karina S MacDowell
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación, Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Meseguer
- Schizophrenia Clinic Unit, Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar A Saiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mara Parellada
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, IIS Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Gonzalez-Pinto
- Hospital Universitario de Álava (sede Santiago), Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Vitoria, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Lobo
- Department of Psychiatry. Hospital Clínico Universitario and University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Juan C Leza
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación, Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Bernardo
- Schizophrenia Clinic Unit, Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psycobiology, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - From the FLAMM-PEPs study—Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM)
- Schizophrenia Clinic Unit, Neuroscience Institute, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación, Hospital 12 de Octubre (i+12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, IIS Gregorio Marañón, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital Universitario de Álava (sede Santiago), Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Vitoria, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry. Hospital Clínico Universitario and University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psycobiology, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
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Lee TTY, Wainwright SR, Hill MN, Galea LAM, Gorzalka BB. Sex, drugs, and adult neurogenesis: sex-dependent effects of escalating adolescent cannabinoid exposure on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, stress reactivity, and amphetamine sensitization. Hippocampus 2013; 24:280-92. [PMID: 24132958 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2012] [Revised: 09/29/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid exposure during adolescence has adverse effects on neuroplasticity, emotional behavior, cognition, and reward sensitivity in adult rats. We investigated whether escalating doses of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1 R) agonist, HU-210, in adolescence would affect adult hippocampal neurogenesis and behavioral processes putatively modulated by hippocampal neurogenesis, in adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Escalating doses of HU-210 (25, 50, and 100 µg/kg), or vehicle were administered from postnatal day (PND) 35 to 46. Animals were left undisturbed until PND 70, when they were treated with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU; 200 mg/kg) and perfused 21 days later to examine density of BrdU-ir and BrdU/NeuN cells in the dentate gyrus. In another cohort, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity to an acute restraint stress (30 min; PND 75) and behavioral sensitization to d-amphetamine sulfate (1-2 mg/kg; PND 105-134) were assessed in adulthood. Adolescent HU-210 administration suppressed the density of BrdU-ir cells in the dentate gyrus in adult male, but not adult female rats. Adolescent HU-210 administration also induced significantly higher peak corticosterone levels and reminiscent of the changes in neurogenesis, this effect was more pronounced in adult males than females. However, adolescent cannabinoid treatment resulted in significantly higher stereotypy scores in adult female, but not male, rats. Thus, adolescent CB1 R activation suppressed hippocampal neurogenesis and increased stress responsivity in adult males, but not females, and enhanced amphetamine sensitization in adult female, but not male, rats. Taken together, increased CB1 R activation during adolescence results in sex-dependent, long-term, changes to hippocampal structure and function, an effect that may shed light on differing vulnerabilities to developing disorders following adolescent cannabinoid exposure, based on sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany T-Y Lee
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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54
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Battista N, Sergi M, Montesano C, Napoletano S, Compagnone D, Maccarrone M. Analytical approaches for the determination of phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids in human matrices. Drug Test Anal 2013; 6:7-16. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; Teramo Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation; Rome Italy
| | - Manuel Sergi
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; Teramo Italy
| | | | - Sabino Napoletano
- Department of Chemistry; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
- Department of Public Safety, Ministry of Interior; Forensic Service/GIPS; Ancona Italy
| | - Dario Compagnone
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; Teramo Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation; Rome Italy
- Center of Integrated Research; Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome; Rome Italy
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55
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Cacciola G, Chioccarelli T, Altucci L, Viggiano A, Fasano S, Pierantoni R, Cobellis G. Nuclear size as estrogen-responsive chromatin quality parameter of mouse spermatozoa. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2013; 193:201-9. [PMID: 23973938 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Recently, we have investigated the endocannabinoid involvement in chromatin remodeling events occurring in male spermatids. Indeed, we have demonstrated that genetic inactivation of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (Cnr1) negatively influences chromatin remodeling mechanisms, by reducing histone displacement and indices of sperm chromatin quality (chromatin condensation and DNA integrity). Conversely, Cnr1 knock-out (Cnr1(-/-)) male mice, treated with estrogens, replaced histones and rescued chromatin condensation as well as DNA integrity. In the present study, by exploiting Cnr1(+/+), Cnr(+/-) and Cnr1(-/-) epididymal sperm samples, we show that histone retention directly correlates with low values of sperm chromatin quality indices determining sperm nuclear size elongation. Moreover, we demonstrate that estrogens, by promoting histone displacement and chromatin condensation rescue, are able to efficiently reduce the greater nuclear length observed in Cnr1(-/-) sperm. As a consequence of our results, we suggest that nucleus length may be used as a morphological parameter useful to screen out spermatozoa with low chromatin quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Cacciola
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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56
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Brocato B, Zoerner AA, Janjetovic Z, Skobowiat C, Gupta S, Moore BM, Slominski A, Zhang J, Schenone M, Phinehas R, Ferry RJ, Dick E, Hubbard GB, Mari G, Schlabritz-Loutsevitch N. Endocannabinoid crosstalk between placenta and maternal fat in a baboon model (Papio spp.) of obesity. Placenta 2013; 34:983-9. [PMID: 24008071 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 08/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Maternal obesity (MO) remains a serious obstetric problem with acute and chronic morbidities for both mothers and offspring. The mechanisms underlying these adverse consequences of MO remain unknown. Endocannabinoids (ECB) are neuromodulatory lipids released from adipocytes and other tissues. Metabolic crosstalk between placenta and adipocytes may mediate sequelae of MO. The goal of this study was to elucidate placental and systemic ECB in MO. MATERIAL AND METHODS Placentas, sera, and subcutaneous fat were collected at Cesarean sections performed near term (0.9 G) in four non-obese (nOB) and four obese (OB) baboons (Papio spp.). Concentrations of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) were measured by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. AEA and 2-AG pathways were characterized in placentas by Q-RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Placental 2-AG levels were lower and maternal fat AEA levels were higher in OB (1254.1 ± 401.3 nmol/kg and 17.3 ± 4 nmol/kg) vs. nOB (3124.2 ± 557.3 nmol/kg and 3.1 ± 0.6 nmol/kg) animals. Concentrations of 2-AG correlated positively between maternal fat and placenta (r = 0.82, p = 0.013), but correlated negatively with maternal leptin concentrations (r = -0.72, p = 0.04 and r = -0.83, p = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION This is the first study to demonstrate differential ECB pathway regulation in maternal fat and placenta in MO. Differential regulation and function exist for AEA and 2-AG as the major ECB pathways in placenta.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Arachidonic Acids/blood
- Arachidonic Acids/metabolism
- Biological Transport
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
- Disease Models, Animal
- Endocannabinoids/blood
- Endocannabinoids/metabolism
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Glycerides/blood
- Glycerides/metabolism
- Leptin/blood
- Obesity/blood
- Obesity/metabolism
- Obesity/pathology
- Papio
- Placenta/metabolism
- Placenta/pathology
- Polyunsaturated Alkamides/blood
- Polyunsaturated Alkamides/metabolism
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications/blood
- Pregnancy Complications/metabolism
- Pregnancy Complications/pathology
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/biosynthesis
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Receptors, Cannabinoid/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Cannabinoid/genetics
- Receptors, Cannabinoid/metabolism
- Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal/metabolism
- Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal/pathology
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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Affiliation(s)
- B Brocato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
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57
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Gervasi MG, Marczylo TH, Lam PM, Rana S, Franchi AM, Konje JC, Perez-Martinez S. Anandamide levels fluctuate in the bovine oviduct during the oestrous cycle. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72521. [PMID: 23977311 PMCID: PMC3745412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian oviduct acts as a reservoir for spermatozoa and provides an environment in which they may compete for the opportunity to fertilize the oocyte. Whilst in the oviduct spermatozoa undergo capacitation essential for fertilization. Sperm-oviduct interaction is essential for sperm capacitation and is a tightly regulated process influenced by the local microenvironment. Previously we reported that the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) regulates sperm release from epithelial oviductal cells by promoting sperm capacitation. The aims of this work were to measure the AEA content and to characterize the main AEA metabolic pathway in the bovine oviduct and determine how these change through the oestrous cycle. In this study, the levels of AEA and two other N-acylethanolamines, N-oleoylethanolamine and N-palmitoylethanolamine, were measured in bovine oviduct collected during different stages of oestrous cycle by ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results indicated that intracellular oviductal epithelial levels of all three N-acylethanolamines fluctuate during oestrous cycle. Anandamide from oviductal fluid also varied during oestrous cycle, with the highest values detected during the periovulatory period. Endocannabinoid levels from ipsilateral oviduct to ovulation were higher than those detected in the contralateral one, suggesting that levels of oviductal AEA may be regulated by ovarian hormones. The expression and localization of N-acylethanolamines metabolizing enzymes in bovine oviduct were also determined by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry but no change was found during the oestrous cycle. Furthermore, nanomolar levels of AEA were detected in follicular fluids, suggesting that during ovulation the mature follicle may contribute to oviductal AEA levels to create an endocannabinoid gradient conducive to the regulation of sperm function for successful fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gracia Gervasi
- Laboratory de Biología de la Reproducción en Mamíferos, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Timothy H. Marczylo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Science Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia M. Lam
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Science Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Shashi Rana
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Science Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Ana M. Franchi
- Laboratory Fisiopatología de la Preñez y el Parto, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Justin C. Konje
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Reproductive Science Section, Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (SPM); (JCK)
| | - Silvina Perez-Martinez
- Laboratory de Biología de la Reproducción en Mamíferos, Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- * E-mail: (SPM); (JCK)
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58
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Vrablik TL, Watts JL. Polyunsaturated fatty acid derived signaling in reproduction and development: insights from Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. Mol Reprod Dev 2013; 80:244-59. [PMID: 23440886 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) exhibit a diverse range of critical functions in biological systems. PUFAs modulate the biophysical properties of membranes and, along with their derivatives, the eicosanoids and endocannabinoids, form a wide array potent lipid signaling molecules. Much of our early understanding of PUFAs and PUFA-derived signaling stems from work in mammals; however, technological advances have made comprehensive lipid analysis possible in small genetic models such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. These models have a number of advantages, such as simple anatomy and genome-wide genetic screening techniques, which can broaden our understanding of fatty-acid-derived signaling in biological systems. Here we review what is known about PUFAs, eicosanoids, and endocannabinoids in the development and reproduction of C. elegans and D. melanogaster. Fatty acid signaling appears to be fundamental for multicellular organisms, and simple invertebrates often employ functionally similar pathways. In particular, studies in C. elegans and Drosophila are providing insight into the roles of PUFAs and PUFA-derived signaling in early developmental processes, such as meiosis, fertilization, and early embryonic cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy L Vrablik
- School of Molecular Biosciences and Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-7520, USA
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59
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Cacciola G, Chioccarelli T, Fasano S, Pierantoni R, Cobellis G. Estrogens and spermiogenesis: new insights from type 1 cannabinoid receptor knockout mice. Int J Endocrinol 2013; 2013:501350. [PMID: 24324492 PMCID: PMC3845505 DOI: 10.1155/2013/501350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex mechanism which allows the production of male gametes; it consists of mitotic, meiotic, and differentiation phases. Spermiogenesis is the terminal differentiation process during which haploid round spermatids undergo several biochemical and morphological changes, including extensive remodelling of chromatin and nuclear shape. Spermiogenesis is under control of endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine factors, like gonadotropins and testosterone. More recently, emerging pieces of evidence are suggesting that, among these factors, estrogens may have a role. To date, this is a matter of debate and concern because of the agonistic and antagonistic estrogenic effects that environmental chemicals may have on animal and human with damaging outcome on fertility. In this review, we summarize data which fuel this debate, with a particular attention to our recent results, obtained using type 1 cannabinoid receptor knockout male mice as animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Cacciola
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Teresa Chioccarelli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Fasano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pierantoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
- *Riccardo Pierantoni:
| | - Gilda Cobellis
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Bottazzi, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
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60
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Cottone E, Pomatto V, Bovolin P. Role of the endocannabinoid system in the central regulation of nonmammalian vertebrate reproduction. Int J Endocrinol 2013; 2013:941237. [PMID: 24101926 PMCID: PMC3786540 DOI: 10.1155/2013/941237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a well-documented pivotal role in the control of mammalian reproductive functions, by acting at multiple levels, that is, central (CNS) and local (gonads) levels. Since studies performed in animal models other than mammals might provide further insight into the biology of these signalling molecules, in the present paper we review the comparative data pointing toward the endocannabinoid involvement in the reproductive control of non-mammalian vertebrates, focussing in particular on the central regulation of teleost and amphibian reproduction. The morphofunctional distribution of brain cannabinoid receptors will be discussed in relation to other crucial signalling molecules involved in the control of reproductive functions, such as GnRH, dopamine, aromatase, and pituitary gonadotropins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Cottone
- Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
- *Erika Cottone:
| | - Valentina Pomatto
- Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bovolin
- Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
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61
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Maccarrone M. Endocannabinoids as markers of sperm quality: hot spots. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2013; 4:169. [PMID: 24265627 PMCID: PMC3820970 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2013.00169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence:
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62
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Chianese R, Ciaramella V, Scarpa D, Fasano S, Pierantoni R, Meccariello R. Endocannabinoids and endovanilloids: a possible balance in the regulation of the testicular GnRH signalling. Int J Endocrinol 2013; 2013:904748. [PMID: 24072997 PMCID: PMC3773452 DOI: 10.1155/2013/904748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2013] [Accepted: 07/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive functions are regulated both at central (brain) and gonadal levels. In this respect, the endocannabinoid system (eCS) has a very influential role. Interestingly, the characterization of eCS has taken many advantages from the usage of animal models different from mammals. Therefore, this review is oriented to summarize the main pieces of evidence regarding eCS coming from the anuran amphibian Rana esculenta, with particular interest to the morphofunctional relationship between eCS and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Furthermore, a novel role for endovanilloids in the regulation of a testicular GnRH system will be also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Chianese
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale Sezione “F. Bottazzi,” Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenza Ciaramella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale Sezione “F. Bottazzi,” Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Donatella Scarpa
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale Sezione “F. Bottazzi,” Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Fasano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale Sezione “F. Bottazzi,” Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pierantoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale Sezione “F. Bottazzi,” Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Costantinopoli 16, 80138 Napoli, Italy
- *Riccardo Pierantoni:
| | - Rosaria Meccariello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università di Napoli Parthenope, Via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy
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Fowler CJ, Josefsson A, Thors L, Chung SC, Hammarsten P, Wikström P, Bergh A. Tumour epithelial expression levels of endocannabinoid markers modulate the value of endoglin-positive vascular density as a prognostic marker in prostate cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2012; 1831:1579-87. [PMID: 23262399 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2012.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is responsible for the hydrolysis of the endogenous cannabinoid (CB) receptor ligand anandamide. Here we have investigated whether the expression levels of FAAH and CB1 receptors influence the prognostic value of markers of angiogenesis in prostate cancer. Data from a cohort of 419 patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer at transurethral resection for lower urinary tract symptoms, of whom approximately 2/3 had been followed by expectancy, were used. Scores for the angiogenesis markers endoglin and von Willebrand factor (vWf), the endocannabinoid markers fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and cannabinoid CB1 receptors and the cell proliferation marker Ki-67 were available in the database. For the cases followed by expectancy, the prognostic value of endoglin was dependent upon the tumour epithelial FAAH immunoreactivity (FAAH-IR) and CB1IR scores, and the non-malignant epithelial FAAH-IR scores, but not the non-malignant CB1IR scores or the tumour blood vessel FAAH-IR scores. This dependency upon the tumour epithelial FAAH-IR or CB1IR scores was less apparent for vWf, and was not seen for Ki-67. Using an endoglin cut-off value of 10 positively stained vessels per core and a median split of tumour FAAH-IR, four groups could be generated, with 15year of disease-specific survival (%) of 68±7 (low endoglin, low FAAH), 45±11 (high endoglin, low FAAH), 77±6 (low endoglin, high FAAH) and 21±10 (high endoglin, high FAAH). Thus, the cases with high endoglin and high FAAH scores have the poorest rate of disease-specific survival. At diagnosis, the number of cases with tumour stages 1a-1b relative to stages 2-4 was sensitive to the endoglin score in a manner dependent upon the tumour FAAH-IR. It is concluded that the prognostic value of endoglin as a marker of neovascularisation in prostate cancer can be influenced by the expression level of markers of the endocannabinoid system. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Lipid Metabolism in Cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Fowler
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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Lewis SEM, Rapino C, Di Tommaso M, Pucci M, Battista N, Paro R, Simon L, Lutton D, Maccarrone M. Differences in the endocannabinoid system of sperm from fertile and infertile men. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47704. [PMID: 23082196 PMCID: PMC3474715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a major cause of problems for many couples in conceiving a child. Recently, lifestyle pastimes such as alcohol, tobacco and marijuana have been shown to have further negative effects on male reproduction. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), mainly through the action of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) at cannabinoid (CB1, CB2) and vanilloid (TRPV1) receptors, plays a crucial role in controlling functionality of sperm, with a clear impact on male reproductive potential. Here, sperm from fertile and infertile men were used to investigate content (through LC-ESI-MS), mRNA (through quantitative RT-PCR), protein (through Western Blotting and ELISA) expression, and functionality (through activity and binding assays) of the main metabolic enzymes of AEA and 2-AG (NAPE-PLD and FAAH, for AEA; DAGL and MAGL for 2-AG), as well as of their binding receptors CB1, CB2 and TRPV1. Our findings show a marked reduction of AEA and 2-AG content in infertile seminal plasma, paralleled by increased degradation: biosynthesis ratios of both substances in sperm from infertile versus fertile men. In addition, TRPV1 binding was detected in fertile sperm but was undetectable in infertile sperm, whereas that of CB1 and CB2 receptors was not statistically different in the two groups. In conclusion, this study identified unprecedented alterations of the ECS in infertile sperm, that might impact on capacitation and acrosome reaction, and hence fertilization outcomes. These alterations might also point to new biomarkers to determine male reproductive defects, and identify distinct ECS elements as novel targets for therapeutic exploitation of ECS-oriented drugs to treat male fertility problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena E M Lewis
- School of Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science, Belfast, United Kingdom
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