Physiology of the Endocannabinoid System During Development

Cannabinoids and the male reproductive system: Implications of endocannabinoid signaling pathways

The escalating use and legalization of cannabis (marijuana) in the United States reflect shifting societal attitudes and growing awareness of its potential therapeutic benefits. Historically viewed as a harmful psychoactive substance, contemporary research has shown the intricate pharmacology of cannabis, with its diverse array of cannabinoids and their interactions with the endocannabinoid system. Among these cannabinoids, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary psychoactive component, characterized by its activation of cannabinoid receptors. The discovery of endocannabinoids, including anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, illuminated the body's innate cannabinoid signaling pathways and their involvement in several physiological processes. Endocannabinoids exert both positive and negative effects on the male reproductive system. They facilitate erectile function by modulating neurotransmission and vasodilation, offering potential therapeutic avenues for conditions like erectile dysfunction and prostatitis. However, chronic exogenous cannabinoid use, mainly of tetrahydrocannabinol, poses risks to male reproductive health by disrupting spermatogenesis, causing hormonal imbalances, and potentially influencing cancer cell proliferation. Understanding endocannabinoid signaling in the male reproductive system is essential to fully comprehend both the therapeutic benefits and potential drawbacks of cannabis use. Further research is required on these mechanisms, to provide insights that can guide clinical practice and policy-making regarding cannabis use. In this narrative review, we highlight the need for additional research into how cannabinoids affect male reproductive health, particularly with prolonged use. Investigating cannabinoids' impacts on spermatogenesis, hormonal balance, and cancer cell proliferation can provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals.

Mechanistic insights into the impact of WIN 55, 212-2, a synthetic cannabinoid, on adhesion molecules PECAM-1 and VE-cadherin in HeLa cells: implications on cancer processes

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system comprises endogenous ligands, cannabinoid receptors (CBRs), and their regulatory proteins; its alteration leads to many diseases including cancer. Thus, becomes a therapeutic target for synthetic cannabinoids aimed to control cancer cell proliferation, migration, adhesion, and invasion. However, little is known about adhesion molecules regulation through CBRs activation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a CB1/CB2 agonist, WIN-55, 212-2 (WIN), on the regulation of adhesion molecules platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) in HeLa cells. CBRs expression was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining in HeLa cells and cell viability (thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide), cell adhesion (crystal violet), adhesion molecules expression and location (Western blot and immunofluorescence staining assays) were all assessed on cells treated with different WIN concentrations. Receptors CB1, CB2, and G-protein-coupled receptor 55 were expressed in HeLa cells. Additionally, biphasic effects were observed in their metabolic activity and adhesive properties: low WIN concentrations resulted in significant increases whereas, high ones decreased them compared to controls (p < 0.0001), demonstrating that WIN elicits opposite effects depending on the concentration and exposure time. PECAM-1 was detected in HeLa cell's cytoplasm, membrane, and perinuclear region, whereas VE-cadherin had a nuclear distribution. There were no significant differences in PECAM-1 and VE-cadherin expression and location, suggesting that WIN does not modulate these proteins. These findings support the potential use of WIN due to its anticancer properties without dysregulating adhesion molecules. WIN possible contribution to inhibit cancer progression should be further investigated.

Effect of a High Linoleic Acid Diet on Pregnant Women and Their Offspring

Nutritional intake during pregnancy can affect gestational length, fetal development, and impact postnatal growth and health in offspring. Perturbations in maternal nutrition with either an excess or deficiency in nutrients during pregnancy may have harmful effects on the offspring's development and increase the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. In pregnancy, nutrients transfer from the mother to the fetus via the placenta. Essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (LA) and alpha linoleic acid (ALA), can only be obtained in the diet. In Western countries, the ratio of LA and ALA in the diet has increased dramatically in recent decades. Some animal and human studies have found a correlation between maternal intake of LA and birth weight; however, the association varies. In contrast, some human studies have demonstrated inconclusive findings regarding the correlation between cord blood levels of LA and birth outcomes. In addition, high dietary LA intake in animal studies in pregnancy increased the production of inflammatory markers such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, cytokines, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha. This review aims to highlight the effect of high dietary LA intake during pregnancy on birth outcomes, obesity, maternal inflammatory markers, and the transfer of fatty acids across the placenta.

Stability and inter-family associations of hair endocannabinoid and N-acylethanolamines across the perinatal period in mothers, fathers, and children

Analysis of endocannabinoids (ECs) and N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) in hair is assumed to retrospectively assess long-term EC/NAE concentrations. To inform their use, this study investigated stability of EC/NAE hair concentrations in mothers, fathers, and their children across the perinatal period as well as associations between family members. In a prospective cohort study, EC (AEA, 1-AG/2-AG) and NAE (SEA, PEA, OEA) levels were quantified in hair samples taken four times in mothers (n = 336) and their partners (n = 225) from pregnancy to two years postpartum and in offspring (n = 319) from shortly after birth to two years postpartum. Across the perinatal period, maternal and paternal hair ECs/NAEs showed poor multiple-test consistency (16-36%) and variable relative stability, as well as inconsistent absolute stability for mothers. Regarding children, hair ECs/NAEs evidenced poor multiple-test consistency (4-19%), no absolute stability, and either no or variable relative stability. Hair ECs/NAEs showed small to medium significant associations across the perinatal period within couples and parent-child dyads. Findings suggest hair ECs/NAEs during the perinatal period possess variable stability in adults, albeit more stability in fathers than mothers in this time. This highlights the need to further investigate factors associated with changes in hair ECs/NAEs across time. The first two years of life may be a dynamic phase for the endocannabinoid system in children, potentially characterized by complex within-family correspondence that requires further systematic investigation.

Combined exposure to alcohol and cannabis during development: Mechanisms and outcomes

Exposure to substances of abuse during pregnancy can have long-lasting effects on offspring. Alcohol is one of the most widely used substances of abuse that leads to the most severe consequences. Recent studies in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom showed that between 1% and 7% of all children exhibit signs and symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Despite preventive campaigns, the rate of children with FASD has not decreased during recent decades. Alcohol consumption often accompanies exposure to such drugs as tobacco, cocaine, opioids, and cannabis. These interactions can be synergistic and exacerbate the deleterious consequences of developmental alcohol exposure. The present review focuses on interactions between alcohol and cannabis exposure and the potential consequences of these interactions.

The Endocannabinoid System in Caenorhabditis elegans

The existence of a formal Endocannabinoid System in C. elegans has been questioned due to data showing the absence of typical cannabinoid receptors in the worm; however, the presence of a full metabolism for endocannabinoids, alternative ligands, and receptors for these agents and a considerable number of orthologous and homologous genes regulating physiological cannabinoid-like signals and responses - several of which are similar to those of mammals - demonstrates a well-structured and functional complex system in nematodes. In this review, we describe and compare similarities and differences between the Endocannabinoid System in mammals and nematodes, highlighting the basis for the integral study of this novel system in the worm.

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors as a Therapeutic Target in Asthma

The complexity of the pathogenetic mechanisms of the development of chronic inflammation in asthma determines its heterogeneity and insufficient treatment effectiveness. Nuclear transcription factors, which include peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, that is, PPARs, play an important role in the regulation of initiation and resolution of the inflammatory process. The ability of PPARs to modulate not only lipid homeostasis but also the activity of the inflammatory response makes them an important pathogenetic target in asthma therapy. At present, special attention is focused on natural (polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), endocannabinoids, and eicosanoids) and synthetic (fibrates, thiazolidinediones) PPAR ligands and the study of signaling mechanisms involved in the implementation of their anti-inflammatory effects in asthma. This review summarizes current views on the structure and function of PPARs, as well as their participation in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation in asthma. The potential use of PPAR ligands as therapeutic agents for treating asthma is under discussion.

The effect of high maternal linoleic acid on endocannabinoid signalling in rodent hearts

The endocannabinoid system (ECS), modulated by metabolites of linoleic acid (LA), is important in regulating cardiovascular function. In pregnancy, LA is vital for foetal development. We investigated the effects of elevated LA in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts in vitro and of a high linoleic acid (HLA, 6.21%) or low linoleic acid (LLA, 1.44%) diet during pregnancy in maternal and offspring hearts. H9c2 cell viability was reduced following LA exposure at concentrations between 300 and 1000 µM. HLA diet decreased cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) mRNA expression in foetal hearts from both sexes. However, HLA diet increased CB2 expression in maternal hearts. The mRNA expression of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in foetal hearts was higher in females than in males irrespective of diet and N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) mRNA expression showed an interaction between diet and sex. Data indicate that a high LA diet alters cell viability and CB2 expression, potentially influencing cardiac function during pregnancy and development of the offspring's heart.