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Weiermair T, Svehlikova E, Magnes C, Boulgaropoulos B, Altendorfer-Kroath T, Hummer J, Eberl A. Implementation and validation of a UHPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of the endocannabinoids AEA and 2-AG in cerebral interstitial fluid and plasma. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 238:115844. [PMID: 37979522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous endocannabinoids such as N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are involved in the patho-biochemistry of several neurological diseases and have been associated with mood-enhancing phenomena. Although they have been intensively studied in recent years, accurate and reliable quantification of these analytes in cerebral interstitial fluid (cISF) to elucidate their neuro-modulatory role is still challenging. Moreover, there is a need for an analytical method that can analyze plasma in addition to cISF and is thus able to address research questions in both preclinical and clinical studies. Aim was to implement a method for simultaneous quantification of AEA and 2-AG in cISF and plasma, to validate it by taking the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration into account, and to test its usability in three different case studies. A UHPLC-MS/MS method with preceding liquid-liquid extraction to determine AEA and 2-AG in cISF and plasma was successfully implemented, and the parameters selectivity, specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, carry-over and stability met the validation criteria. The usability of the analytical method was demonstrated in an in vitro study with cerebral open flow microperfusion (cOFM), an in vivo cOFM study in rats, and a clinical study in human plasma. The developed method allowed quantification of AEA and 2-AG in the biologically relevant concentration ranges in cISF and plasma. The availability of a reliable, complementary, time-resolved dataset of endocannabinoid concentrations in both matrices can be of considerable future importance for the evaluation of drug efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresia Weiermair
- HEALTH - Institute for Biomedical Research and Technologies, Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft m.b.H, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 2, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Eva Svehlikova
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christoph Magnes
- HEALTH - Institute for Biomedical Research and Technologies, Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft m.b.H, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 2, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Beate Boulgaropoulos
- HEALTH - Institute for Biomedical Research and Technologies, Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft m.b.H, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 2, Graz 8010, Austria; Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Altendorfer-Kroath
- HEALTH - Institute for Biomedical Research and Technologies, Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft m.b.H, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 2, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Joanna Hummer
- HEALTH - Institute for Biomedical Research and Technologies, Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft m.b.H, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 2, Graz 8010, Austria
| | - Anita Eberl
- HEALTH - Institute for Biomedical Research and Technologies, Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft m.b.H, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 2, Graz 8010, Austria.
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2
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Haller J. Anxiety Modulation by Cannabinoids-The Role of Stress Responses and Coping. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15777. [PMID: 37958761 PMCID: PMC10650718 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids were implicated in a variety of pathological conditions including anxiety and are considered promising new targets for anxiolytic drug development. The optimism concerning the potentials of this system for anxiolysis is probably justified. However, the complexity of the mechanisms affected by endocannabinoids, and discrepant findings obtained with various experimental approaches makes the interpretation of research results difficult. Here, we review the anxiety-related effects of the three main interventions used to study the endocannabinoid system: pharmacological agents active at endocannabinoid-binding sites present on both the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm, genetic manipulations targeting cannabinoid receptors, and function-enhancers represented by inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation and transport. Binding-site ligands provide inconsistent findings probably because they activate a multitude of mechanisms concomitantly. More robust findings were obtained with genetic manipulations and particularly with function enhancers, which heighten ongoing endocannabinoid activation rather than affecting all mechanisms indiscriminately. The enhancement of ongoing activity appears to ameliorate stress-induced anxiety without consistent effects on anxiety in general. Limited evidence suggests that this effect is achieved by promoting active coping styles in critical situations. These findings suggest that the functional enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling is a promising drug development target for stress-related anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- József Haller
- Drug Research Institute, 1137 Budapest, Hungary;
- Department of Criminal Psychology, University of Public Service, 1082 Budapest, Hungary
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3
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Chen I, Murdaugh LB, Miliano C, Dong Y, Gregus AM, Buczynski MW. NAPE-PLD regulates specific baseline affective behaviors but is dispensable for inflammatory hyperalgesia. NEUROBIOLOGY OF PAIN (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2023; 14:100135. [PMID: 38099275 PMCID: PMC10719515 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2023.100135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
N-acyl-ethanolamine (NAEs) serve as key endogenous lipid mediators as revealed by manipulation of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the primary enzyme responsible for metabolizing NAEs. Preclinical studies focused on FAAH or NAE receptors indicate an important role for NAE signaling in nociception and affective behaviors. However, there is limited information on the role of NAE biosynthesis in these same behavioral paradigms. Biosynthesis of NAEs has been attributed largely to the enzyme N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine Phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), one of three pathways capable of producing these bioactive lipids in the brain. In this report, we demonstrate that Nape-pld knockout (KO) mice displayed reduced sucrose preference and consumption, but other baseline anxiety-like or depression-like behaviors were unaltered. Additionally, we observed sex-dependent responses in thermal nociception and other baseline measures in wildtype (WT) mice that were absent in Nape-pld KO mice. In the Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) model of inflammatory arthritis, WT mice exhibited sex-dependent changes in paw edema that were lost in Nape-pld KO mice. However, there was no effect of Nape-pld deletion on arthritic pain-like behaviors (grip force deficit and tactile allodynia) in either sex, indicating that while NAPE-PLD may alter local inflammation, it does not contribute to pain-like behaviors associated with inflammatory arthritis. Collectively, these findings indicate that chronic and systemic NAPE-PLD inactivation will likely be well-tolerated, warranting further pharmacological evaluation of this target in other disease indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Chen
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Laura B. Murdaugh
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Cristina Miliano
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Yuyang Dong
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Ann M. Gregus
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Matthew W. Buczynski
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Ciaramellano F, Fanti F, Scipioni L, Maccarrone M, Oddi S. Endocannabinoid Metabolism and Transport as Drug Targets. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2576:201-211. [PMID: 36152188 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The wide distribution of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) throughout the body and its pivotal pathophysiological role offer promising opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic drugs for treating several diseases. However, the need for strategies to circumvent the unwanted psychotropic and immunosuppressive effects associated with cannabinoid receptor agonism/antagonism has led to considerable research in the field of molecular alternatives, other than type-1 and type-2 (CB1/2) receptors, as therapeutic targets to indirectly manipulate this pro-homeostatic system. In this context, the use of selective inhibitors of proteins involved in endocannabinoid (eCB) transport and metabolism allows for an increase or decrease of the levels of N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the sites where these major eCBs are indeed needed. This chapter will briefly review some preclinical and clinical evidence for the therapeutic potential of ECS pharmacological manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Ciaramellano
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Fanti
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technologies for Food, Environmental and Agriculture, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Lucia Scipioni
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Sergio Oddi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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Vitetta L, Sikali JF, Fletcher C, Henson JD. Comment on: Cannabis use among Danish patients with cancer: a cross‑sectional survey of sociodemographic traits, quality of life, and patient experiences. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:8619-8621. [PMID: 35312856 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-06995-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Vitetta
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. .,Research Department, Medlab Clinical, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Jason F Sikali
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Research Department, Medlab Clinical, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Jeremy D Henson
- Research Department, Medlab Clinical, Sydney, Australia.,Prince of Wales Clinical School, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Jordan E, Nguyen GN, Piechot A, Kayser O. Cannabinoids as New Drug Candidates for the Treatment of Glaucoma. PLANTA MEDICA 2022; 88:1267-1274. [PMID: 35299275 DOI: 10.1055/a-1665-3100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Glaucoma is a blinding eye disease that affects about 70 million patients globally today. The cannabinoid receptors and the endocannabinoid system have found attention for new drug concepts. This review will analyze the potential of cannabinoids, primarily tetrahydrocannabinol, THCVS, and cannabinol, as drug candidates and the role of CB1/CB2 receptors with regard to the pathophysiology of glaucoma. The mode of action of cannabinoids as innovative drug candidates and recent formulations for topical delivery will be discussed. Cannabinoid receptors with associated TRPV channels will be evaluated for their potential as drug targets. Especially the role of the endocannabinoid system (fatty acid amide hydrolase, monoacylglycerol lipase) impacting the prostaglandin network (cyclooxygenase, PGE, PGF) and neuroprotection by inhibition of nitric oxide radical formation is in the focus of this review. Delivery systems, including recent clinical trials, will be analyzed to evaluate the potential for innovative future ophthalmological drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Jordan
- Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Gia-Nam Nguyen
- Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
- MINDbioscience GmbH, Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Kayser
- Technical Biochemistry, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
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Sokabe T, Bradshaw HB, Tominaga M, Leishman E, Chandel A, Montell C. Endocannabinoids produced in photoreceptor cells in response to light activate Drosophila TRP channels. Sci Signal 2022; 15:eabl6179. [PMID: 36219683 PMCID: PMC9633101 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abl6179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila phototransduction is a model for signaling cascades that culminate in the activation of transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels. TRP and TRPL are the canonical TRP (TRPC) channels that are regulated by light stimulation of rhodopsin and engagement of Gαq and phospholipase Cβ (PLC). Lipid metabolite(s) generated downstream of PLC are essential for the activation of the TRPC channels in photoreceptor cells. We sought to identify the key lipids produced subsequent to PLC stimulation that contribute to channel activation. Here, using genetics, lipid analysis, and Ca2+ imaging, we found that light increased the amount of an abundant endocannabinoid, 2-linoleoyl glycerol (2-LG), in vivo. The increase in 2-LG amounts depended on the PLC and diacylglycerol lipase encoded by norpA and inaE, respectively. This endocannabinoid facilitated TRPC-dependent Ca2+ influx in a heterologous expression system and in dissociated ommatidia from compound eyes. Moreover, 2-LG and mechanical stimulation cooperatively activated TRPC channels in ommatidia. We propose that 2-LG is a physiologically relevant endocannabinoid that activates TRPC channels in photoreceptor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Sokabe
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara; California 93106, USA
- Division of Cell Signaling, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, and Thermal Biology Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences; Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI; Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Heather B. Bradshaw
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University; Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, USA
| | - Makoto Tominaga
- Division of Cell Signaling, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, and Thermal Biology Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institutes of Natural Sciences; Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
- Department of Physiological Sciences, SOKENDAI; Okazaki, Aichi, 444-8787, Japan
| | - Emma Leishman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University; Bloomington, Indiana, 47405, USA
| | - Avinash Chandel
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara; California 93106, USA
| | - Craig Montell
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and the Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara; California 93106, USA
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Matheson J, Zhou XMM, Bourgault Z, Le Foll B. Potential of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), Monoacylglycerol Lipase (MAGL), and Diacylglycerol Lipase (DAGL) Enzymes as Targets for Obesity Treatment: A Narrative Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14121316. [PMID: 34959715 PMCID: PMC8703892 DOI: 10.3390/ph14121316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an integral role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and may affect hunger, caloric intake, and nutrient absorption. Obesity has been associated with higher levels of the endogenous cannabinoid transmitters (endocannabinoids). Therefore, the ECS is an important target in obesity treatment. Modulating the enzymes that synthesize and degrade endocannabinoids, namely fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), and diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL), may be a promising strategy to treat obesity. This review aims to synthesize all studies investigating pharmacological or genetic manipulation of FAAH, MAGL, or DAGL enzymes in association with obesity-related measures. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic deletion of FAAH tended to promote an obesogenic state in animal models, though the relationships between human FAAH polymorphisms and obesity-related outcomes were heterogeneous, which could be due to FAAH having both pro-appetitive and anti-appetitive substrates. Genetic deletion of Mgll and Dagla as well as pharmacological inhibition of DAGL tended to reduce body weight and improve metabolic state in animal studies, though the effects of Mgll manipulation were tissue-dependent. Monitoring changes in body weight in ongoing clinical trials of FAAH inhibitors may clarify whether FAAH inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy for treatment obesity. More preclinical work is needed to characterize the role of MAGL and DAGL modulation in obesity-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Matheson
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (X.M.M.Z.); (Z.B.); (B.L.F.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Xin Ming Matthew Zhou
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (X.M.M.Z.); (Z.B.); (B.L.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 27 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 3H7, Canada
| | - Zoe Bourgault
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (X.M.M.Z.); (Z.B.); (B.L.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 27 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 3H7, Canada
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada; (X.M.M.Z.); (Z.B.); (B.L.F.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 27 King’s College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 3H7, Canada
- Addictions Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 100 Stokes Street, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, 1 King’s College Circle, Room 2374, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, Canada
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