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Socha J, Grochecki P, Marszalek-Grabska M, Skrok A, Smaga I, Slowik T, Prazmo W, Kotlinski R, Filip M, Kotlinska JH. Cannabidiol Protects against the Reinstatement of Oxycodone-Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Adolescent Male but Not Female Rats: The Role of MOR and CB1R. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6651. [PMID: 38928357 PMCID: PMC11204276 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126651] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid, appeared to satisfy several criteria for a safe approach to preventing drug-taking behavior, including opioids. However, most successful preclinical and clinical results come from studies in adult males. We examined whether systemic injections of CBD (10 mg/kg, i.p.) during extinction of oxycodone (OXY, 3 mg/kg, i.p.) induced conditioned place preference (CPP) could attenuate the reinstatement of CPP brought about by OXY (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) priming in adolescent rats of both sexes, and whether this effect is sex dependent. Accordingly, a priming dose of OXY produced reinstatement of the previously extinguished CPP in males and females. In both sexes, this effect was linked to locomotor sensitization that was blunted by CBD pretreatments. However, CBD was able to prevent the reinstatement of OXY-induced CPP only in adolescent males and this outcome was associated with an increased cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) and a decreased mu opioid receptor (MOR) expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The reinstatement of CCP in females was associated with a decreased MOR expression, but no changes were detected in CB1R in the hippocampus (HIP). Moreover, CBD administration during extinction significantly potentialized the reduced MOR expression in the PFC of males and showed a tendency to potentiate the reduced MOR in the HIP of females. Additionally, CBD reversed OXY-induced deficits of recognition memory only in males. These results suggest that CBD could reduce reinstatement to OXY seeking after a period of abstinence in adolescent male but not female rats. However, more investigation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Socha
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.S.); (P.G.); (A.S.)
| | - Pawel Grochecki
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.S.); (P.G.); (A.S.)
| | - Marta Marszalek-Grabska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Skrok
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.S.); (P.G.); (A.S.)
| | - Irena Smaga
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; (I.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Tymoteusz Slowik
- Experimental Medicine Center, Medical University, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Wojciech Prazmo
- Breast Surgery Department, Provincial Specialist Hospital, Al. Krasnicka 100, 20-718 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Robert Kotlinski
- Clinical Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Rzeszow, Lwowska 60, 35-301 Rzeszow, Poland;
| | - Malgorzata Filip
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 31-343 Krakow, Poland; (I.S.); (M.F.)
| | - Jolanta H. Kotlinska
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.S.); (P.G.); (A.S.)
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Durydivka O, Palivec P, Gazdarica M, Mackie K, Blahos J, Kuchar M. Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9-THC) driven activation of cannabinoid receptor 1 results in biased intracellular signaling. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9181. [PMID: 38649680 PMCID: PMC11035541 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58845-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The Cannabis sativa plant has been used for centuries as a recreational drug and more recently in the treatment of patients with neurological or psychiatric disorders. In many instances, treatment goals include relief from posttraumatic disorders, anxiety, or to support treatment of chronic pain. Ligands acting on cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) are also potential targets for the treatment of other health conditions. Using an evidence-based approach, pharmacological investigation of CB1R agonists is timely, with the aim to provide chronically ill patients relief using well-defined and characterized compounds from cannabis. Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), currently available over the counter in many countries to adults and even children, is of great interests to policy makers, legal administrators, and healthcare regulators, as well as pharmacologists. Herein, we studied the pharmacodynamics of HHC epimers, which activate CB1R. We compared their key CB1R-mediated signaling pathway activities and compared them to the pathways activated by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC). We provide evidence that activation of CB1R by HHC ligands is only broadly comparable to those mediated by Δ9-THC, and that both HHC epimers have unique properties. Together with the greater chemical stability of HHC compared to Δ9-THC, these molecules have a potential to become a part of modern medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleh Durydivka
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic.
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technicka 3, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Palivec
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technicka 3, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Matej Gazdarica
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Molecular Bioscience, Indiana University, 1101 E. 10th St., Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Jaroslav Blahos
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kuchar
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technicka 3, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Psychedelic Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, Czech Republic.
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3
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Mendiguren A, Aostri E, Rodilla I, Pujana I, Noskova E, Pineda J. Cannabigerol modulates α 2-adrenoceptor and 5-HT 1A receptor-mediated electrophysiological effects on dorsal raphe nucleus and locus coeruleus neurons and anxiety behavior in rat. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1183019. [PMID: 37305529 PMCID: PMC10249961 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1183019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The pharmacological profile of cannabigerol (CBG), which acid form constitutes the main precursor of the most abundant cannabinoids, has been scarcely studied. It has been reported to target α2-adrenoceptor and 5-HT1A receptor. The locus coeruleus (LC) and the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) are the main serotonergic (5-HT) and noradrenergic (NA) areas in the rat brain, respectively. We aimed to study the effect of CBG on the firing rate of LC NA cells and DRN 5-HT cells and on α2-adrenergic and 5-HT1A autoreceptors by electrophysiological techniques in male Sprague-Dawley rat brain slices. The effect of CBG on the novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT) and the elevated plus maze test (EPMT) and the involvement of the 5-HT1A receptor was also studied. CBG (30 μM, 10 min) slightly changed the firing rate of NA cells but failed to alter the inhibitory effect of NA (1-100 µM). However, in the presence of CBG the inhibitory effect of the selective α2-adrenoceptor agonist UK14304 (10 nM) was decreased. Perfusion with CBG (30 μM, 10 min) did not change the firing rate of DRN 5-HT cells or the inhibitory effect of 5-HT (100 μM, 1 min) but it reduced the inhibitory effect of ipsapirone (100 nM). CBG failed to reverse ipsapirone-induced inhibition whereas perfusion with the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (30 nM) completely restored the firing rate of DRN 5-HT cells. In the EPMT, CBG (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased the percentage of time the rats spent on the open arms and the number of head-dipping but it reduced the anxiety index. In the NSFT, CBG decreased the time latency to eat in the novel environment but it did not alter home-cage consumption. The effect of CBG on the reduction of latency to feed was prevented by pretreatment with WAY100635 (1 mg/kg, i.p.). In conclusion, CBG hinders the inhibitory effect produced by selective α2-adrenoceptor and 5-HT1A receptor agonists on the firing rate of NA-LC and 5-HT-DRN neurons by a yet unknown indirect mechanism in rat brain slices and produces anxiolytic-like effects through 5-HT1A receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitziber Mendiguren
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Spain
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4
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Li H, Zhao J, Lai L, Xia Y, Wan C, Wei S, Liang J, Chen Y, Xu N. Loss of SST and PV Positive Interneurons in the Ventral Hippocampus Results in Anxiety-like Behavior in 5xFAD Mice. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 117:165-178. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Silva M, Kwok RKH. Use of Computational Toxicology Tools to Predict In Vivo Endpoints Associated with Mode of Action and the Endocannabinoid System: A Case Study with Chlorpyrifos, Chlorpyrifos-oxon and Δ9Tetrahydrocannabinol. Curr Res Toxicol 2022; 3:100064. [PMID: 35243363 PMCID: PMC8860916 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2022.100064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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Gazdarica M, Noda J, Durydivka O, Novosadova V, Mackie K, Pin JP, Prezeau L, Blahos J. SGIP1 modulates kinetics and interactions of the cannabinoid receptor 1 and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 3 signalosome. J Neurochem 2021; 160:625-642. [PMID: 34970999 PMCID: PMC9306533 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R), a G protein‐coupled receptor, plays a fundamental role in synaptic plasticity. Abnormal activity and deregulation of CB1R signaling result in a broad spectrum of pathological conditions. CB1R signaling is regulated by receptor desensitization including phosphorylation of residues within the intracellular C terminus by G protein‐coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) that may lead to endocytosis. Furthermore, CB1R signaling is regulated by the protein Src homology 3‐domain growth factor receptor‐bound 2‐like (SGIP1) that hinders receptor internalization, while enhancing CB1R association with β‐arrestin. It has been postulated that phosphorylation of two clusters of serine/threonine residues, 425SMGDS429 and 460TMSVSTDTS468, within the CB1R C‐tail controls dynamics of the association between receptor and its interaction partners involved in desensitization. Several molecular determinants of these events are still not well understood. We hypothesized that the dynamics of these interactions are modulated by SGIP1. Using a panel of CB1Rs mutated in the aforementioned serine and threonine residues, together with an array of Bioluminescence energy transfer‐based (BRET) sensors, we discovered that GRK3 forms complexes with Gβγ subunits of G proteins that largely independent of GRK3’s interaction with CB1R. Furthermore, CB1R interacts only with activated GRK3. Interestingly, phosphorylation of two specific residues on CB1R triggers GRK3 dissociation from the desensitized receptor. SGIP1 increases the association of GRK3 with Gβγ subunits of G proteins, and with CB1R. Altogether, our data suggest that the CB1R signalosome complex is dynamically controlled by sequential phosphorylation of the receptor C‐tail and is also modified by SGIP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Gazdarica
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic.,Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Judith Noda
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Oleh Durydivka
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Vendula Novosadova
- The Czech Center for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Gill Center for Molecular Bioscience, Indiana University, 1101 E. 10th St, Bloomington, IN, USA, 47405
| | - Jean-Philippe Pin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Prezeau
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université Montpellier 1 and 2, Montpellier, France
| | - Jaroslav Blahos
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Science, Videnska 1083, 14220, Prague 4, Czech Republic
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Ruthirakuhan M, Herrmann N, Andreazza AC, Verhoeff NPLG, Gallagher D, Black SE, Kiss A, Lanctôt KL. 24S-Hydroxycholesterol Is Associated with Agitation Severity in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Alzheimer's Disease: Analyses from a Clinical Trial with Nabilone. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 71:21-31. [PMID: 31322567 PMCID: PMC6839471 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background: Agitation is a prevalent and difficult-to-treat symptom of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has been a target of interest for the treatment of agitation. However, ECS signaling may interact with AD-related changes in brain cholesterol metabolism. Elevated brain cholesterol, reflected by reduced serum 24-S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OHC), is associated with reduced membrane fluidity, preventing ligand binding to cannabinoid receptor 1. Objective: To assess whether 24S-OHC was associated with agitation severity and response to nabilone. Methods: 24S-OHC was collected from AD patients enrolled in a clinical trial on nabilone at the start and end of each phase. This allowed for the cross-sectional and longitudinal investigation between 24S-OHC and agitation (Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory, CMAI). Post-hoc analyses included adjustments for baseline standardized Mini-Mental Status Exam (sMMSE), and analyses with CMAI subtotals consistent with the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) definition for agitation (physical aggression and nonaggression, and verbal aggression). Results: 24S-OHC was not associated with CMAI scores cross-sectionally or longitudinally, before and after adjusting for baseline sMMSE. However, 24S-OHC was associated with greater CMAI IPA scores at baseline (F(1,36) = 4.95, p = 0.03). In the placebo phase only, lower 24S-OHC at baseline was associated with increases in CMAI IPA scores (b = –35.2, 95% CI –65.6 to –5.0, p = 0.02), and decreases in 24S-OHC were associated with increases in CMAI IPA scores (b = –20.94, 95% CI –57.9 to –4.01, p = 0.03). Conclusion: 24S-OHC was associated with agitation severity cross-sectionally, and longitudinally in patients with AD. However, 24S-OHC did not predict treatment response, and does not change over time with nabilone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myuri Ruthirakuhan
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathan Herrmann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ana C Andreazza
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Damien Gallagher
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra E Black
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto and Sunnybrook HSC, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alex Kiss
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Research Design and Biostatistics, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Krista L Lanctôt
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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8
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Leung MCK, Silva MH, Palumbo AJ, Lohstroh PN, Koshlukova SE, DuTeaux SB. Adverse outcome pathway of developmental neurotoxicity resulting from prenatal exposures to cannabis contaminated with organophosphate pesticide residues. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 85:12-18. [PMID: 30668982 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
There is growing concern that increased use of medical and recreational cannabis may result in increased exposure to contaminants on the cannabis, such as pesticides. Several states are moving towards implementing robust regulation of the sales, cultivation, and manufacture of cannabis products. However, there are challenges with creating health-protective regulations in an industry that, to date, has been largely unregulated. The focus of this publication is a theoretical examination of what may happen when women are exposed pre-conceptually or during pregnancy to cannabis contaminated with pesticides. We propose an adverse outcome pathway of concomitant prenatal exposure to cannabinoids and the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos by curating what we consider to be the key events at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels that result in developmental neurotoxicity. The implications of this adverse outcome pathway underscore the need to elucidate the potential developmental neurotoxicity that may result from prenatal exposure to pesticide-contaminated cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell C K Leung
- Department of Pesticide Regulation, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95812, United States.
| | - Marilyn H Silva
- Department of Pesticide Regulation, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95812, United States
| | - Amanda J Palumbo
- Department of Pesticide Regulation, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95812, United States
| | - Peter N Lohstroh
- Department of Pesticide Regulation, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95812, United States
| | - Svetlana E Koshlukova
- Department of Pesticide Regulation, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95812, United States
| | - Shelley B DuTeaux
- Department of Pesticide Regulation, California Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95812, United States
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Ghazizadeh-Hashemi M, Ghajar A, Shalbafan MR, Ghazizadeh-Hashemi F, Afarideh M, Malekpour F, Ghaleiha A, Ardebili ME, Akhondzadeh S. Palmitoylethanolamide as adjunctive therapy in major depressive disorder: A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. J Affect Disord 2018; 232:127-133. [PMID: 29486338 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experimental studies provide evidence for antidepressant effects of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) in animal models of depression. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of PEA add-on therapy in treatment of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS In a randomized double-blind, and placebo-controlled study, 58 patients with MDD (DSM-5) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score ≥ 19 were randomized to receive either 600 mg twice daily Palmitoylethanolamide or placebo in addition to citalopram for six weeks. Patients were assessed using the HAM-D scale at baseline and weeks 2, 4, and 6. RESULTS Fifty-four individuals completed the trial. At week 2, patients in the PEA group demonstrated significantly greater reduction in HAM-D scores compared to the placebo group (8.30 ± 2.41 vs. 5.81 ± 3.57, P = .004). The PEA group also demonstrated significantly greater improvement in depressive symptoms [F (3, 156) = 3.35, P = .021] compared to the placebo group throughout the trial period. The patients in the PEA group experienced more response rate (≥ 50% reduction in the HAM-D score) than the placebo group (100% vs. 74% respectively, P = .01) at the end of the trial. Baseline parameters and frequency of side effects were not significantly different between the two groups. LIMITATIONS The population size in this study was small and the follow-up period was relatively short. CONCLUSIONS Palmitoylethanolamide adjunctive therapy to citalopram can effectively improve symptoms of patients (predominantly male gender) with major depressive disorder. PEA showed rapid-onset antidepressant effects which need further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alireza Ghajar
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mohsen Afarideh
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Malekpour
- Mental Health Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Ghaleiha
- Research Center for Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. Hamadan, Iran
| | | | - Shahin Akhondzadeh
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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10
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McLaughlin PJ, Jagielo-Miller JE, Plyler ES, Schutte KK, Vemuri VK, Makriyannis A. Differential effects of cannabinoid CB1 inverse agonists and antagonists on impulsivity in male Sprague Dawley rats: identification of a possibly clinically relevant vulnerability involving the serotonin 5HT 1A receptor. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:1029-1043. [PMID: 28144708 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4548-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cannabinoid CB1 inverse agonists hold therapeutic promise as appetite suppressants but have produced suicidal behaviors among a small subpopulation in clinical trials. Anatomical and pharmacological evidence implicate the 5HT1A serotonin receptor in suicide in humans and impulsivity in humans and animals. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study is to assess whether 5HT1A blockade is necessary for CB1 ligands to produce impulsivity. METHODS Sprague Dawley rats were administered the CB1 inverse agonist AM 251, the CB1 antagonist AM 6527, or the peripherally restricted antagonist AM 6545, with or without pretreatment with the 5HT1A antagonist WAY 100,635 (WAY) on the paced fixed consecutive number (FCN) task, which measures choice to terminate a chain of responses prematurely. As FCN is sensitive to changes in time perception, which have been demonstrated with CB1 blockade, a novel variable consecutive number task with discriminative stimulus (VCN-S D ) was also performed and proposed to be less sensitive to changes in timing. RESULTS Pretreatment with WAY enabled mild but significant reductions in FCN accuracy for AM 251 and AM 6527. No effects were found for AM 6545. On the VCN-S D task, substantial impairments were found for the combination of WAY and AM 251. CONCLUSIONS AM 251, but not the antagonists AM 6527 or AM 6545, produced impulsivity only following systemic 5HT1A blockade. Although preliminary, the results may indicate that disrupted serotonin signaling produces a vulnerability to undesirable effects of CB1 inverse agonists, which is not evident in the general population. Furthermore, neutral CB1 antagonists do not produce this effect and therefore may have greater safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J McLaughlin
- Department of Psychology, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, 210 East Normal Street, Edinboro, PA, 16444, USA.
| | - Julia E Jagielo-Miller
- Department of Psychology, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, 210 East Normal Street, Edinboro, PA, 16444, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Emily S Plyler
- Department of Psychology, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, 210 East Normal Street, Edinboro, PA, 16444, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
| | - Kerry K Schutte
- Department of Psychology, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, 210 East Normal Street, Edinboro, PA, 16444, USA.,Department of Counseling, Psychology, and Special Education, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, G8B Canevin Hall, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA
| | - V Kiran Vemuri
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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11
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Peripheral and central CB1 cannabinoid receptors control stress-induced impairment of memory consolidation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:9904-9. [PMID: 27528659 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1525066113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Stressful events can generate emotional memories linked to the traumatic incident, but they also can impair the formation of nonemotional memories. Although the impact of stress on emotional memories is well studied, much less is known about the influence of the emotional state on the formation of nonemotional memories. We used the novel object-recognition task as a model of nonemotional memory in mice to investigate the underlying mechanism of the deleterious effect of stress on memory consolidation. Systemic, hippocampal, and peripheral blockade of cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptors abolished the stress-induced memory impairment. Genetic deletion and rescue of CB1 receptors in specific cell types revealed that the CB1 receptor population specifically in dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH)-expressing cells is both necessary and sufficient for stress-induced impairment of memory consolidation, but CB1 receptors present in other neuronal populations are not involved. Strikingly, pharmacological manipulations in mice expressing CB1 receptors exclusively in DBH(+) cells revealed that both hippocampal and peripheral receptors mediate the impact of stress on memory consolidation. Thus, CB1 receptors on adrenergic and noradrenergic cells provide previously unrecognized cross-talk between central and peripheral mechanisms in the stress-dependent regulation of nonemotional memory consolidation, suggesting new potential avenues for the treatment of cognitive aspects on stress-related disorders.
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12
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Lazary J, Eszlari N, Juhasz G, Bagdy G. Genetically reduced FAAH activity may be a risk for the development of anxiety and depression in persons with repetitive childhood trauma. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016; 26:1020-8. [PMID: 27005594 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors are addressed for promising anxiolytics, but human studies on genetically reduced FAAH activity, stress and affective phenotypes are scarce. We investigated the effect of a functional polymorphism of FAAH (FAAH C385A or rs324420; low FAAH activity and high anandamide concentration are associated with the A allele) together with childhood adversity on the anxious and depressive phenotypes in 858 subjects from the general population. Phenotypes were measured by the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS), the depression and anxiety subscales of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-DEP, BSI-ANX) and the State-Trait Anxiety scales (STAI-S, STAI-T). Childhood Adversity Questionnaire (CHA) was used to assess early life traumas. Frequency of the A allele was greater among subjects with high ZSDS scores compared to the CC genotype. Furthermore, FAAH C385A and the CHA have shown a robust gene-environment interaction, namely, significantly higher anxiety and depression scores were exhibited by individuals carrying the A allele if they had high CHA scores compared to CC carriers. These data provided preliminary evidence that genetically reduced FAAH activity and repetitive stress in the childhood are associated with increased vulnerability for anxiety and depression in later life. Our results together with earlier experimental data suggest that permanently elevated anandamide level together with early life stress may cause a lifelong damage on stress response probably via the downregulation of CB1R during the neurodevelopment in the brain. It may also point to pharmacogenomic consequences, namely ineffectiveness or adverse effects of FAAH inhibitors in this subpopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Lazary
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Nora Eszlari
- MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gabriella Juhasz
- MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; MTA-SE-NAP B Genetic Brain Imaging Migraine Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Hungary
| | - Gyorgy Bagdy
- MTA-SE Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurochemistry Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Lutz B, Marsicano G, Maldonado R, Hillard CJ. The endocannabinoid system in guarding against fear, anxiety and stress. Nat Rev Neurosci 2016; 16:705-18. [PMID: 26585799 DOI: 10.1038/nrn4036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 317] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has emerged as a central integrator linking the perception of external and internal stimuli to distinct neurophysiological and behavioural outcomes (such as fear reaction, anxiety and stress-coping), thus allowing an organism to adapt to its changing environment. eCB signalling seems to determine the value of fear-evoking stimuli and to tune appropriate behavioural responses, which are essential for the organism's long-term viability, homeostasis and stress resilience; and dysregulation of eCB signalling can lead to psychiatric disorders. An understanding of the underlying neural cell populations and cellular processes enables the development of therapeutic strategies to mitigate behavioural maladaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Lutz
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Giovanni Marsicano
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), U862 NeuroCentre Magendie, Group Endocannabinoids and Neuroadaptation, Bordeaux 33077, France.,University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux 33077, France
| | - Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratori de Neurofarmacologia, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut i de la Vida, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cecilia J Hillard
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuroscience Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA
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Reyes BAS, Heldt NA, Mackie K, Van Bockstaele EJ. Ultrastructural evidence for synaptic contacts between cortical noradrenergic afferents and endocannabinoid-synthesizing post-synaptic neurons. Neuroscience 2015; 303:323-37. [PMID: 26162236 PMCID: PMC4542008 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are involved in a myriad of physiological processes that are mediated through the activation of cannabinoid receptors, which are ubiquitously distributed within the nervous system. One neurochemical target at which cannabinoids interact to have global effects on behavior is brain noradrenergic circuitry. We, and others, have previously shown that CB type 1 receptors (CB1r) are positioned to pre-synaptically modulate norepinephrine (NE) release in the rat frontal cortex (FC). Diacylglycerol lipase (DGL) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). While DGL-α is expressed in the FC in the rat brain, it is not known whether noradrenergic afferents target neurons expressing synthesizing enzymes for the endocannabinoid, 2-AG. In the present study, we employed high-resolution neuroanatomical approaches to better define cellular sites for interactions between noradrenergic afferents and FC neurons expressing DGL-α. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed close appositions between processes containing the norepinephrine transporter (NET) or dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH) and cortical neurons expressing DGL-α-immunoreactivity. Ultrastructural analysis using immunogold-silver labeling for DGL-α and immunoperoxidase labeling for NET or DβH confirmed that NET-labeled axon terminals were directly apposed to FC somata and dendritic processes that exhibited DGL-α-immunoreactivity. Finally, tissue sections were processed for immunohistochemical detection of DGL-α, CB1r and DβH. Triple label immunofluorescence revealed that CB1r and DβH were co-localized in common cellular profiles and these were in close association with DGL-α. Taken together, these data provide anatomical evidence for direct synaptic associations between noradrenergic afferents and cortical neurons exhibiting endocannabinoid synthesizing machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A S Reyes
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States.
| | - N A Heldt
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
| | - K Mackie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - E J Van Bockstaele
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
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15
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Fitzgibbon M, Finn DP, Roche M. High Times for Painful Blues: The Endocannabinoid System in Pain-Depression Comorbidity. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 19:pyv095. [PMID: 26342110 PMCID: PMC4815466 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyv095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Depression and pain are two of the most debilitating disorders worldwide and have an estimated cooccurrence of up to 80%. Comorbidity of these disorders is more difficult to treat, associated with significant disability and impaired health-related quality of life than either condition alone, resulting in enormous social and economic cost. Several neural substrates have been identified as potential mediators in the association between depression and pain, including neuroanatomical reorganization, monoamine and neurotrophin depletion, dysregulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, and neuroinflammation. However, the past decade has seen mounting evidence supporting a role for the endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) system in affective and nociceptive processing, and thus, alterations in this system may play a key role in reciprocal interactions between depression and pain. This review will provide an overview of the preclinical evidence supporting an interaction between depression and pain and the evidence supporting a role for the endocannabinoid system in this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michelle Roche
- Physiology (Ms Fitzgibbon and Dr Roche), and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Dr Finn), School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre and Centre for Pain Research (Ms Fitzgibbon, Dr Finn, and Dr Roche), National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland.
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16
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Liu CS, Chau SA, Ruthirakuhan M, Lanctôt KL, Herrmann N. Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Agitation and Aggression in Alzheimer's Disease. CNS Drugs 2015; 29:615-23. [PMID: 26271310 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-015-0270-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is frequently associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) such as agitation and aggression, especially in the moderate to severe stages of the illness. The limited efficacy and high-risk profiles of current pharmacotherapies for the management of agitation and aggression in AD have driven the search for safer pharmacological alternatives. Over the past few years, there has been a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of medications that target the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The behavioural effects of ECS medications, as well as their ability to modulate neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, make targeting this system potentially relevant in AD. This article summarizes the literature to date supporting this rationale and evaluates clinical studies investigating cannabinoids for agitation and aggression in AD. Letters, case studies, and controlled trials from four electronic databases were included. While findings from six studies showed significant benefits from synthetic cannabinoids—dronabinol or nabilone—on agitation and aggression, definitive conclusions were limited by small sample sizes, short trial duration, and lack of placebo control in some of these studies. Given the relevance and findings to date, methodologically rigorous prospective clinical trials are recommended to determine the safety and efficacy of cannabinoids for the treatment of agitation and aggression in dementia and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celina S Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room FG 19, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Sarah A Chau
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room FG 19, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Myuri Ruthirakuhan
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room FG 19, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Krista L Lanctôt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room FG 19, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nathan Herrmann
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, 2075 Bayview Ave., Room FG 19, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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17
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Hofer SC, Ralvenius WT, Gachet MS, Fritschy JM, Zeilhofer HU, Gertsch J. Localization and production of peptide endocannabinoids in the rodent CNS and adrenal medulla. Neuropharmacology 2015; 98:78-89. [PMID: 25839900 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) comprises the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 and their endogenous arachidonic acid-derived agonists 2-arachidonoyl glycerol and anandamide, which play important neuromodulatory roles. Recently, a novel class of negative allosteric CB1 receptor peptide ligands, hemopressin-like peptides derived from alpha hemoglobin, has been described, with yet unknown origin and function in the CNS. Using monoclonal antibodies we now identified the localization of RVD-hemopressin (pepcan-12) and N-terminally extended peptide endocannabinoids (pepcans) in the CNS and determined their neuronal origin. Immunohistochemical analyses in rodents revealed distinctive and specific staining in major groups of noradrenergic neurons, including the locus coeruleus (LC), A1, A5 and A7 neurons, which appear to be major sites of production/release in the CNS. No staining was detected in dopaminergic neurons. Peptidergic axons were seen throughout the brain (notably hippocampus and cerebral cortex) and spinal cord, indicative of anterograde axonal transport of pepcans. Intriguingly, the chromaffin cells in the adrenal medulla were also strongly stained for pepcans. We found specific co-expression of pepcans with galanin, both in the LC and adrenal gland. Using LC-MS/MS, pepcan-12 was only detected in non-perfused brain (∼ 40 pmol/g), suggesting that in the CNS it is secreted and present in extracellular compartments. In adrenal glands, significantly more pepcan-12 (400-700 pmol/g) was measured in both non-perfused and perfused tissues. Thus, chromaffin cells may be a major production site of pepcan-12 found in blood. These data uncover important areas of peptide endocannabinoid occurrence with exclusive noradrenergic immunohistochemical staining, opening new doors to investigate their potential physiological function in the ECS. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Fluorescent Tools in Neuropharmacology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie C Hofer
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - William T Ralvenius
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - M Salomé Gachet
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Marc Fritschy
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Hanns Ulrich Zeilhofer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zürich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, 8093 Zürich, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Ragen BJ, Seidel J, Chollak C, Pietrzak RH, Neumeister A. Investigational drugs under development for the treatment of PTSD. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2015; 24:659-72. [PMID: 25773140 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2015.1020109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, chronic and disabling anxiety disorder that may develop following exposure to a traumatic event. There is currently no effective pharmacotherapy for PTSD and therefore the discovery of novel, evidence-based treatments is particularly important. This review of potential novel treatments could act as a catalyst for further drug investigation. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors discuss the heterogeneity of PTSD and why this provides a challenge for discovering effective treatments for this disorder. By searching for the neurobiological systems that are disrupted in individuals with PTSD and their correlation with different symptoms, the authors propose potential pharmacological treatments that could target these symptoms. They discuss drugs such as nabilone, d-cycloserine, nor-BNI, 7,8-dihydroxyflavone and oxytocin (OT) to target systems such as cannabinoids, glutamate, opioids, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the OT receptor, respectively. While not conclusive, the authors believe that these brain systems include promising targets for drug discovery. Finally, the authors review animal studies, proof-of-concept studies and case studies that support our proposed treatments. EXPERT OPINION A mechanism-based approach utilizing techniques such as in vivo neuroimaging will allow for the determination of treatments. Due to the heterogeneity of the PTSD phenotype, focusing on symptomology rather than a categorical diagnosis will allow for more personalized treatment. Furthermore, there appears to be a promise in drugs as cognitive enhancers, the use of drug cocktails and novel compounds that target specific pathways linked to the etiology of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Ragen
- New York University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry , New York, NY , USA
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Neumeister A, Seidel J, Ragen BJ, Pietrzak RH. Translational evidence for a role of endocannabinoids in the etiology and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 51:577-84. [PMID: 25456347 PMCID: PMC4268027 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent, chronic, and disabling anxiety disorder that may develop following exposure to a traumatic event. Despite the public health significance of PTSD, relatively little is known about the etiology or pathophysiology of this disorder, and pharmacotherapy development to date has been largely opportunistic instead of mechanism-based. Recently, an accumulating body of evidence has implicated the endocannabinoid system in the etiology of PTSD, and targets within this system are believed to be suitable for treatment development. METHODS Herein, we describe evidence from translational studies arguing for the relevance of the endocannabinoid system in the etiology of PTSD. We also show mechanisms relevant for treatment development. RESULTS There is convincing evidence from multiple studies for reduced endocannabinoid availability in PTSD. Brain imaging studies show molecular adaptations with elevated cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor availability in PTSD which is linked to abnormal threat processing and anxious arousal symptoms. CONCLUSION Of particular relevance is evidence showing reduced levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide and compensatory increase of CB1 receptor availability in PTSD, and an association between increased CB1 receptor availability in the amygdala and abnormal threat processing, as well as increased severity of hyperarousal, but not dysphoric symptomatology, in trauma survivors. Given that hyperarousal symptoms are the key drivers of more disabling aspects of PTSD such as emotional numbing or suicidality, novel, mechanism-based pharmacotherapies that target this particular symptom cluster in patients with PTSD may have utility in mitigating the chronicity and morbidity of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Neumeister
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jordan Seidel
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Benjamin J. Ragen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert H. Pietrzak
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Clinical Neurosciences Division, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Wyrofsky R, McGonigle P, Van Bockstaele EJ. Drug discovery strategies that focus on the endocannabinoid signaling system in psychiatric disease. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2014; 10:17-36. [PMID: 25488672 DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2014.966680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The endocannabinoid (eCB) system plays an important role in the control of mood, and its dysregulation has been implicated in several psychiatric disorders. Targeting the eCB system appears to represent an attractive and novel approach to the treatment of depression and other mood disorders. However, several failed clinical trials have diminished enthusiasm for the continued development of eCB-targeted therapeutics for psychiatric disorders, despite the encouraging preclinical data and promising preliminary results obtained with the synthetic cannabinoid nabilone for treating post-traumatic stress disorder. AREAS COVERED This review describes the eCB system's role in modulating cell signaling within the brain. There is a specific focus on eCB's regulation of monoamine neurotransmission and the stress axis, as well as how dysfunction of this interaction can contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders. Additionally, the review provides discussion on compounds and drugs that target this system and might prove to be successful for the treatment of mood-related psychiatric disorders. EXPERT OPINION The discovery of increasingly selective modulators of CB receptors should enable the identification of optimal therapeutic strategies. It should also maximize the likelihood of developing safe and effective treatments for debilitating psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Wyrofsky
- Drexel University, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology , Mail Stop 400, New College Building, 245 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 , USA
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21
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Coppola M, Mondola R. Is there a role for palmitoylethanolamide in the treatment of depression? Med Hypotheses 2014; 82:507-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2013.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Palomino A, Pavón FJ, Blanco-Calvo E, Serrano A, Arrabal S, Rivera P, Alén F, Vargas A, Bilbao A, Rubio L, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Suárez J. Effects of acute versus repeated cocaine exposure on the expression of endocannabinoid signaling-related proteins in the mouse cerebellum. Front Integr Neurosci 2014; 8:22. [PMID: 24634647 PMCID: PMC3943208 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2014.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing awareness of cerebellar involvement in addiction is based on the cerebellum's intermediary position between motor and reward, potentially acting as an interface between motivational and cognitive functions. Here, we examined the impact of acute and repeated cocaine exposure on the two main signaling systems in the mouse cerebellum: the endocannabinoid (eCB) and glutamate systems. To this end, we investigated whether eCB signaling-related gene and protein expression {cannabinoid receptor type 1 receptors and enzymes that produce [diacylglycerol lipase alpha/beta (DAGLα/β) and N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD)] and degrade [monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amino hydrolase (FAAH)] eCB} were altered. In addition, we analyzed the gene expression of relevant components of the glutamate signaling system [glutamate synthesizing enzymes liver-type glutaminase isoform (LGA) and kidney-type glutaminase isoform (KGA), metabotropic glutamatergic receptor (mGluR3/5), NMDA-ionotropic glutamatergic receptor (NR1/2A/2B/2C) and AMPA-ionotropic receptor subunits (GluR1/2/3/4)] and the gene expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, because noradrenergic terminals innervate the cerebellar cortex. Results indicated that acute cocaine exposure decreased DAGLα expression, suggesting a down-regulation of 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) production, as well as gene expression of TH, KGA, mGluR3 and all ionotropic receptor subunits analyzed in the cerebellum. The acquisition of conditioned locomotion and sensitization after repeated cocaine exposure were associated with an increased NAPE-PLD/FAAH ratio, suggesting enhanced anandamide production, and a decreased DAGLβ/MAGL ratio, suggesting decreased 2-AG generation. Repeated cocaine also increased LGA gene expression but had no effect on glutamate receptors. These findings indicate that acute cocaine modulates the expression of the eCB and glutamate systems. Repeated cocaine results in normalization of glutamate receptor expression, although sustained changes in eCB is observed. We suggest that cocaine-induced alterations to cerebellar eCB should be considered when analyzing the adaptations imposed by psychostimulants that lead to addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Palomino
- Laboratorio de Investigación (Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Francisco-Javier Pavón
- Laboratorio de Investigación (Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Eduardo Blanco-Calvo
- Laboratorio de Investigación (Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Málaga, Spain ; Departament de Pedagogia i Psicologia, Facultat de Ciències de l'Educació, Universitat de Lleida Lleida, Spain
| | - Antonia Serrano
- Laboratorio de Investigación (Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Sergio Arrabal
- Laboratorio de Investigación (Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Patricia Rivera
- Laboratorio de Investigación (Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Francisco Alén
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Complutense Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Vargas
- Laboratorio de Investigación (Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Bilbao
- Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty of Mannheim, University of Heidelberg Mannheim, Germany
| | - Leticia Rubio
- Departamento de Anatomía y Medicina Legal y Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Laboratorio de Investigación (Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Málaga, Spain
| | - Juan Suárez
- Laboratorio de Investigación (Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga Málaga, Spain
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Kirilly E, Gonda X, Juhász G, Bagdy G. [Anxiogenic and depressogenic side-effects of non-psychiatric drugs]. Orv Hetil 2013; 154:1327-36. [PMID: 23955968 DOI: 10.1556/oh.2013.29681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Although medications such as anticancer, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, neurological or hormonal therapies may have a negative impact on mood, adequate attention was not paid until the withdrawal of rimonabant in 2008. In the present study the authors review full spectrum of currently available medications discussing anxiety and depression as possible adverse effects of treatment. A relatively high risk of depression should always be considered when pharmacotherapy applied, especially if current depressive episodes, positive family history, or neurotic personality traits increasing susceptibility to depressogenic effects. Prior to start of medical treatment, the potential effectiveness of the given drug should be precisely evaluated, and alternative medical and non-medical treatment options should also be carefully considered. In addition, monitoring patients during treatment for signs of depressive or anxious symptoms is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eszter Kirilly
- Semmelweis Egyetem, Gyógyszerésztudományi Kar Gyógyszerhatástani Intézet Budapest Nagyvárad tér 4. 1089
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