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Anchesi I, Schepici G, Chiricosta L, Gugliandolo A, Salamone S, Caprioglio D, Pollastro F, Mazzon E. Δ 8-THC Induces Up-Regulation of Glutamatergic Pathway Genes in Differentiated SH-SY5Y: A Transcriptomic Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119486. [PMID: 37298437 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids, natural or synthetic, have antidepressant, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and anti-psychotic properties. Cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) are the most studied cannabinoids, but recently, attention has turned towards minor cannabinoids. Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC), an isomer of Δ9-THC, is a compound for which, to date, there is no evidence of its role in the modulation of synaptic pathways. The aim of our work was to evaluate the effects of Δ8-THC on differentiated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Using next generation sequencing (NGS), we investigated whether Δ8-THC could modify the transcriptomic profile of genes involved in synapse functions. Our results showed that Δ8-THC upregulates the expression of genes involved in the glutamatergic pathway and inhibits gene expression at cholinergic synapses. Conversely, Δ8-THC did not modify the transcriptomic profile of genes involved in the GABAergic and dopaminergic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Anchesi
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Schepici
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Luigi Chiricosta
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Agnese Gugliandolo
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Stefano Salamone
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
- PlantaChem S.r.l.s., Via Amico Canobio 4/6, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Diego Caprioglio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
- PlantaChem S.r.l.s., Via Amico Canobio 4/6, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Federica Pollastro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Largo Donegani 2, 28100 Novara, Italy
- PlantaChem S.r.l.s., Via Amico Canobio 4/6, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
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Stith SS, Diviant JP, Brockelman F, Keeling K, Hall B, Lucern S, Vigil JM. Alleviative effects of Cannabis flower on migraine and headache. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 18:416-424. [PMID: 32758396 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Few studies to date have measured the real-time effects of consumption of common and commercially available Cannabis products for the treatment of headache and migraine under naturalistic conditions. This study examines, for the first time, the effectiveness of using dried Cannabis flower, the most widely used type of Cannabis product in the United States, in actual time for treatment of headache- and migraine-related pain and the associations between different product characteristics and changes in symptom intensity following Cannabis use. METHODS Between 06/10/2016 and 02/12/2019, 699 people used the Releaf Application to record real-time details of their Cannabis use, including product characteristics and symptom intensity levels prior to and following self-administration; data included 1910 session-level attempts to treat headache- (1328 sessions) or migraine-related pain (582 sessions). Changes in headache- or migraine-related pain intensity were measured on a 0-10 scale prior to, and immediately, following Cannabis consumption. RESULTS Ninety-four percent of users experienced symptom relief within a two-hour observation window. The average symptom intensity reduction was 3.3 points on a 0-10 scale (standard deviation = 2.28, Cohen's d = 1.58), with males experiencing greater relief than females (P < 0.001) and a trend that younger users (< 35 years) experience greater relief than older users (P = 0.08). Mixed effects regression models showed that, among the known (i.e., labeled) product characteristics, tetrahydrocannabinol levels 10% and higher are the strongest independent predictors of symptom relief, and this effect is particularly prominent in headache rather than migraine sufferers (P < 0.05), females (P < 0.05) and younger users (P < 0.001). Females and younger users also appear to gain greater symptom relief from flower labeled as "C. indica" rather than "C. sativa" or other hybrid strains. CONCLUSION These results suggest that whole dried Cannabis flower may be an effective medication for treatment of migraine- and headache-related pain, but the effectiveness differs according to characteristics of the Cannabis plant, the combustion methods, and the age and gender of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S Stith
- Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Jegason P Diviant
- Department of Psychology, Student of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Franco Brockelman
- Morebetter Ltd. Software Developer, Hyattsville, Maryland 20781, USA
| | - Keenan Keeling
- Morebetter Ltd. Software Developer, Hyattsville, Maryland 20781, USA
| | - Branden Hall
- Morebetter Ltd. Software Developer, Hyattsville, Maryland 20781, USA
| | - Storri Lucern
- Department of Psychology, Student of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA
| | - Jacob M Vigil
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.
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Chen XY, Xue Y, Chen H, Chen L. The globus pallidus as a target for neuropeptides and endocannabinoids participating in central activities. Peptides 2020; 124:170210. [PMID: 31778724 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2019.170210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The globus pallidus in the basal ganglia plays an important role in movement regulation. Neuropeptides and endocannabinoids are neuronal signalling molecules that influence the functions of the whole brain. Endocannabinoids, enkephalin, substance P, neurotensin, orexin, somatostatin and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptides are richly concentrated in the globus pallidus. Neuropeptides and endocannabinoids exert excitatory or inhibitory effects in the globus pallidus mainly by modulating GABAergic, glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, as well as many ionic mechanisms. Pallidal neuropeptides and endocannabinoids are associated with the pathophysiology of a number of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, schizophrenia, and depression. The levels of neuropeptides and endocannabinoids and their receptors in the globus pallidus change in neurological diseases. It has been demonstrated that spontaneous firing activity of globus pallidus neurons is closely related to the manifestations of Parkinson's disease. Therefore, the neuropeptides and endocannabinoids in the globus pallidus may function as potential targets for treatment in some neurological diseases. In this review, we highlight the morphology and function of neuropeptides and endocannabinoids in the globus pallidus and their involvement in neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yi Chen
- Department of Pathology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yan Xue
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Department of Pathology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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Antonazzo M, Gutierrez-Ceballos A, Bustinza I, Ugedo L, Morera-Herreras T. Cannabinoids differentially modulate cortical information transmission through the sensorimotor or medial prefrontal basal ganglia circuits. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:1156-1169. [PMID: 30735570 PMCID: PMC6451076 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In the sensorimotor (SM) and medial prefrontal (mPF) basal ganglia (BG) circuits, the cortical information is transferred to the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) through the hyperdirect trans-subthalamic pathway and through the direct and indirect trans-striatal pathways. The cannabinoid CB1 receptor, which is highly expressed in both BG circuits, may participate in the regulation of motor and motivational behaviours. Here, we investigated the modulation of cortico-nigral information transmission through the BG circuits by cannabinoids. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We used single-unit recordings of SNr neurons along with simultaneous electrical stimulation of motor or mPF cortex in anaesthetized rats. KEY RESULTS Cortical stimulation elicited a triphasic response in the SNr neurons from both SM and mPF-BG circuits, which consisted of an early excitation (hyperdirect transmission pathway), an inhibition (direct transmission pathway), and a late excitation (indirect transmission pathway). In the SM circuit, after Δ9 -tetrahydrocannabinol or WIN 55,212-2 administration, the inhibition and the late excitation were decreased or completely lost, whereas the early excitation response remained unaltered. However, cannabinoid administration dramatically decreased all the responses in the mPF circuit. The CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (2 mg·kg-1 , i.v.) did not modify the triphasic response, but blocked the effects induced by cannabinoid agonists. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS CB1 receptor activation modulates the SM information transmission through the trans-striatal pathways and profoundly decreases the cortico-BG transmission through the mPF circuit. These results may be relevant for elucidating the involvement of the cannabinoid system in motor performance and in decision making or goal-directed behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Antonazzo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.,Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Amaia Gutierrez-Ceballos
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.,Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Irati Bustinza
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.,Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Luisa Ugedo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.,Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Teresa Morera-Herreras
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain.,Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Biocruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
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Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) comprises a complex of receptors, enzymes, and endogenous agonists that are widely distributed in the central nervous system of mammals and participates in a considerable number of neuromodulatory functions, including neurotransmission, immunological control, and cell signaling. In turn, the kynurenine pathway (KP) is the most relevant metabolic route for tryptophan degradation to form the metabolic precursor NAD(+). Recent studies demonstrate that the control exerted by the pharmacological manipulation of the ECS on the glutamatergic system in the brain may offer key information not only on the development of psychiatric disorders like psychosis and schizophrenia-like symptoms, but it also may constitute a solid basis for the development of therapeutic strategies to combat excitotoxic events occurring in neurological disorders like Huntington's disease (HD). Part of the evidence pointing to the last approach is based on experimental protocols demonstrating the efficacy of cannabinoids to prevent the deleterious actions of the endogenous neurotoxin and KP metabolite quinolinic acid (QUIN). These findings intuitively raise the question about what is the precise role of the ECS in tryptophan metabolism through KP and vice versa. In this chapter, we will review basic concepts on the physiology of both the ECS and the KP to finally describe those recent findings combining the components of these two systems and hypothesize the future course that the research in this emerging field will take in the next years.
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Aristieta A, Morera-Herreras T, Ruiz-Ortega JA, Miguelez C, Vidaurrazaga I, Arrue A, Zumarraga M, Ugedo L. Modulation of the subthalamic nucleus activity by serotonergic agents and fluoxetine administration. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:1913-24. [PMID: 24271033 PMCID: PMC3984421 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3333-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Within the basal ganglia, the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is the only glutamatergic structure and occupies a central position in the indirect pathway. In rat, the STN receives serotonergic input from the dorsal raphe nucleus and expresses serotonergic receptors. OBJECTIVE This study examined the consequences of serotonergic neurotransmission modulation on STN neuron activity. METHODS In vivo single-unit extracellular recordings, HPLC determination, and rotarod and bar test were performed in control, 4-chloro-DL-phenylalanine methyl ester hydrochloride- (pCPA, a serotonin synthesis inhibitor) and chronically fluoxetine-treated rats. RESULTS The pCPA treatment and the administration of serotonin (5-HT) receptor antagonists increased number of bursting neurons in the STN. The systemic administration of the 5-HT(1A) agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, decreased the firing rate and increased the coefficient of variation of STN neurons in pCPA-treated rats but not in control animals. Additionally, microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT into the STN reduced the firing rate of STN neurons, while microinjection of the 5-HT(2C) agonist, Ro 60-0175, increased the firing rate in both control and fluoxetine-treated animals. Finally, the fluoxetine challenge increased the firing rate of STN neurons in fluoxetine-treated rats and induced catalepsy. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the depletion and the blockage of 5-HT modify STN neuron firing pattern. STN neuron activity is under the control of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors located both inside and outside the STN. Finally, fluoxetine increases STN neuron activity in chronically fluoxetine-treated rats, which may explain the role of this nucleus in fluoxetine-induced extrapyramidal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Aristieta
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - T. Morera-Herreras
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain ,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - J. A. Ruiz-Ortega
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain ,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - C. Miguelez
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain ,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - I. Vidaurrazaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - A. Arrue
- Red de Salud Mental de Bizkaia. Departamento de Investigación Neuroquímica, Hospital de Zamudio, Arteaga Auzoa, 45, 48170 Zamudio, Spain
| | - M. Zumarraga
- Red de Salud Mental de Bizkaia. Departamento de Investigación Neuroquímica, Hospital de Zamudio, Arteaga Auzoa, 45, 48170 Zamudio, Spain
| | - L. Ugedo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain
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Aristieta A, Azkona G, Sagarduy A, Miguelez C, Ruiz-Ortega JÁ, Sanchez-Pernaute R, Ugedo L. The role of the subthalamic nucleus in L-DOPA induced dyskinesia in 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42652. [PMID: 22880070 PMCID: PMC3412805 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
L-DOPA is the most effective treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), but prolonged use leads to disabling motor complications including dyskinesia. Strong evidence supports a role of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in the pathophysiology of PD whereas its role in dyskinesia is a matter of controversy. Here, we investigated the involvement of STN in dyskinesia, using single-unit extracellular recording, behavioural and molecular approaches in hemi-parkinsonian rats rendered dyskinetic by chronic L-DOPA administration. Our results show that chronic L-DOPA treatment does not modify the abnormal STN activity induced by the 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway in this model. Likewise, we observed a loss of STN responsiveness to a single L-DOPA dose both in lesioned and sham animals that received daily L-DOPA treatment. We did not find any correlation between the abnormal involuntary movement (AIM) scores and the electrophysiological parameters of STN neurons recorded 24 h or 20–120 min after the last L-DOPA injection, except for the axial subscores. Nonetheless, unilateral chemical ablation of the STN with ibotenic acid resulted in a reduction in global AIM scores and peak-severity of dyskinesia. In addition, STN lesion decreased the anti-dyskinetogenic effect of buspirone in a reciprocal manner. Striatal protein expression was altered in dyskinetic animals with increases in ΔFosB, phosphoDARPP-32, dopamine receptor (DR) D3 and DRD2/DRD1 ratio. The STN lesion attenuated the striatal molecular changes and normalized the DRD2/DRD1 ratio. Taken together, our results show that the STN plays a role, if modest, in the physiopathology of dyskinesias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asier Aristieta
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Garikoitz Azkona
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neural Repair, Fundacion Inbiomed, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Sagarduy
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Cristina Miguelez
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - José Ángel Ruiz-Ortega
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
| | - Rosario Sanchez-Pernaute
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Neural Repair, Fundacion Inbiomed, San Sebastian, Spain
- * E-mail: (RSP); (LU)
| | - Luisa Ugedo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, Leioa, Spain
- * E-mail: (RSP); (LU)
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The locus coeruleus is directly implicated in L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in parkinsonian rats: an electrophysiological and behavioural study. PLoS One 2011; 6:e24679. [PMID: 21931808 PMCID: PMC3170382 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2011] [Accepted: 08/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being the most effective treatment for Parkinson’s disease, L-DOPA causes a development of dyskinetic movements in the majority of treated patients. L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia is attributed to a dysregulated dopamine transmission within the basal ganglia, but serotonergic and noradrenergic systems are believed to play an important modulatory role. In this study, we have addressed the role of the locus coeruleus nucleus (LC) in a rat model of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. Single-unit extracellular recordings in vivo and behavioural and immunohistochemical approaches were applied in rats rendered dyskinetic by the destruction of the nigrostriatal dopamine neurons followed by chronic treatment with L-DOPA. The results showed that L-DOPA treatment reversed the change induced by 6-hydroxydopamine lesions on LC neuronal activity. The severity of the abnormal involuntary movements induced by L-DOPA correlated with the basal firing parameters of LC neuronal activity. Systemic administration of the LC-selective noradrenergic neurotoxin N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine did not modify axial, limb, and orolingual dyskinesia, whereas chemical destruction of the LC with ibotenic acid significantly increased the abnormal involuntary movement scores. These results are the first to demonstrate altered LC neuronal activity in 6-OHDA lesioned rats treated with L-DOPA, and indicate that an intact noradrenergic system may limit the severity of this movement disorder.
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Iravani MM, Jenner P. Mechanisms underlying the onset and expression of levodopa-induced dyskinesia and their pharmacological manipulation. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2011; 118:1661-90. [DOI: 10.1007/s00702-011-0698-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/06/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Morera-Herreras T, Ruiz-Ortega JÁ, Linazasoro G, Ugedo L. Nigrostriatal denervation changes the effect of cannabinoids on subthalamic neuronal activity in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011; 214:379-89. [PMID: 20959968 PMCID: PMC3045509 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-2043-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2010] [Accepted: 09/30/2010] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE It is known that dopaminergic cell loss leads to increased endogenous cannabinoid levels and CB1 receptor density. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dopaminergic cell loss, induced by injection of 6-hydroxydopamine, on the effects exerted by cannabinoid agonists on neuron activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of anesthetized rats. RESULTS We have previously shown that Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ(9)-THC) and anandamide induce both stimulation and inhibition of STN neuron activity and that endocannabinoids mediate tonic control of STN activity. Here, we show that in intact rats, the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 stimulated all recorded STN neurons. Conversely, after dopaminergic depletion, WIN 55,212-2, Δ(9)-THC, or anandamide inhibited the STN firing rate without altering its discharge pattern, and stimulatory effects were not observed. Moreover, anandamide exerted a more intense inhibitory effect in lesioned rats in comparison to control rats. CONCLUSIONS Cannabinoids induce different effects on the STN depending on the integrity of the nigrostriatal pathway. These findings advance our understanding of the role of cannabinoids in diseases involving dopamine deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Morera-Herreras
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Vizcaya Spain
| | - José Ángel Ruiz-Ortega
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Vizcaya Spain
| | - Gurutz Linazasoro
- Centro Investigación Parkinson, Policlínica Gipuzkoa, San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa Spain
| | - Luisa Ugedo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Vizcaya Spain
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Morera-Herreras T, Ruiz-Ortega JA, Taupignon A, Baufreton J, Manuel I, Rodriguez-Puertas R, Ugedo L. Regulation of subthalamic neuron activity by endocannabinoids. Synapse 2010; 64:682-98. [PMID: 20336631 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
High levels of anandamide are located in the basal ganglia. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is considered to be an important modulator of basal ganglia output. The present study aims at characterizing the modulation of the electrical activity of STN neurons by exogenous anandamide or endocannabinoids. Single-unit extracellular recordings in anesthetized rats and patch-clamp techniques in rat brain slices containing the STN were performed. Immunohistochemical assays were used. In vivo, anandamide administration produced two opposite effects (inhibition or stimulation) on STN neuron firing rates, depending of the precise location of the neuron within the nucleus. These effects were enhanced by prior inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase with URB597, but not by the inhibitor of carrier-mediated anandamide transport AM404. Rimonabant, a specific CB(1) receptor antagonist, also produced inhibition or stimulation of STN neuron activity when administered alone or after anandamide. These effects seem to be mediated by indirect mechanisms since: (1) STN neuron activity is not modified by the cannabinoid agonist Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) in vitro; (2) no depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition phenomena were observed; and (3) CB(1) receptor immunolabeling was not detected in the STN, but was abundant in areas which project efferents to this nucleus. Moreover, chemical lesion of the globus pallidus abolished the stimulatory effect of anandamide and microinfusion of anandamide into the prefrontal cortex led to inhibition of STN neuron activity. The present results show that endocannabinoids exert a tonic control on STN activity via receptors located outside the nucleus. These findings may contribute to enhance our understanding of the role of the endocannabinoid system in motor control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Morera-Herreras
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Basque Country, E-48940 Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
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