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Scicluna RL, Everett NA, Badolato CJ, Wilson BB, Bowen MT. Effects of CB1 receptor negative allosteric modulator Org27569 on oxycodone withdrawal symptoms in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1705-1717. [PMID: 38676755 PMCID: PMC11269377 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06591-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE/OBJECTIVES Targeting cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R) has shown promise for treating opioid withdrawal symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a specific CB1R negative allosteric modulator (NAM), Org27569, in reducing both naloxone-precipitated and protracted withdrawal symptoms in oxycodone-dependent mice. METHODS Mice received escalating doses of oxycodone (9-33 mg/kg IP) or saline twice daily for 9 days, followed by a final dose of oxycodone (33 mg/kg) or saline in the morning of day 9. In one cohort, the impact of Org27569 (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg) on naloxone (10 mg/kg IP) precipitated withdrawal symptoms was assessed. In another cohort, Org27569 (3 mg/kg) effects on the acquisition of conditioned place aversion to naloxone (0.6 mg/kg) precipitated opioid withdrawal, on behaviour following a 7-9-day abstinence period, and on naloxone (0.6 mg/kg) precipitated withdrawal-induced escape behaviour in a novel assay were assessed. RESULTS Although Org27569 decreased opioid withdrawal-induced jumping at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, these effects were confounded by reduced locomotion. At all doses tested, Org27569 had a modest inhibitory effect on gastrointestinal motility. At the lower dose of 3 mg/kg, which was not confounded by locomotor effects, Org27569 did not impact naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced jumping, acquisition of oxycodone withdrawal-induced conditioned place aversion, or naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced escape behaviour in a novel assay. A clear protracted opioid withdrawal phenotype was not observed in assays of anxiety-like or social behaviour. CONCLUSIONS Org27569 effects on negative affective-like symptoms were confounded by locomotor effects and effects on gastrointestinal motility were not opioid withdrawal specific. Further studies are needed in a model that produces a more pronounced protracted withdrawal syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhianne L Scicluna
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallet Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Everett
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallet Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Connie J Badolato
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallet Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Bianca B Wilson
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallet Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Michael T Bowen
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallet Street, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.
- Faculty of Science, School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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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: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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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Zhang JJ, Song CG, Wang M, Zhang GQ, Wang B, Chen X, Lin P, Zhu YM, Sun ZC, Wang YZ, Jiang JL, Li L, Yang XM, Chen ZN. Monoclonal antibody targeting mu-opioid receptor attenuates morphine tolerance via enhancing morphine-induced receptor endocytosis. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:1135-1152. [PMID: 38024852 PMCID: PMC10657976 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphine is a frequently used analgesic that activates the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), which has prominent side effects of tolerance. Although the inefficiency of morphine in inducing the endocytosis of MOR underlies the development of morphine tolerance, currently, there is no effective therapy to treat morphine tolerance. In the current study, we aimed to develop a monoclonal antibody (mAb) precisely targeting MOR and to determine its therapeutic efficacy on morphine tolerance and the underlying molecular mechanisms. We successfully prepared a mAb targeting MOR, named 3A5C7, by hybridoma technique using a strategy of deoxyribonucleic acid immunization combined with cell immunization, and identified it as an immunoglobulin G mAb with high specificity and affinity for MOR and binding ability to antigens with spatial conformation. Treatment of two cell lines, HEK293T and SH-SY5Y, with 3A5C7 enhanced morphine-induced MOR endocytosis via a G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2)/β-arrestin2-dependent mechanism, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, Western blotting, coimmunoprecipitation, and small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA)-based knockdown. This mAb also allowed MOR recycling from cytoplasm to plasma membrane and attenuated morphine-induced phosphorylation of MOR. We established an in vitro morphine tolerance model using differentiated SH-SY5Y cells induced by retinoic acid. Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and siRNA-based knockdown revealed that 3A5C7 mAb diminished hyperactivation of adenylate cyclase, the in vitro biomarker of morphine tolerance, via the GRK2/β-arrestin2 pathway. Furthermore, in vivo hotplate test demonstrated that chronic intrathecal administration of 3A5C7 significantly alleviated morphine tolerance in mice, and withdrawal jumping test revealed that both chronic and acute 3A5C7 intrathecal administration attenuated morphine dependence. Finally, intrathecal electroporation of silencing short hairpin RNA illustrated that the in vivo anti-tolerance and anti-dependence efficacy of 3A5C7 was mediated by enhanced morphine-induced MOR endocytosis via GRK2/β-arrestin2 pathway. Collectively, our study provided a therapeutic mAb, 3A5C7, targeting MOR to treat morphine tolerance, mediated by enhancing morphine-induced MOR endocytosis. The mAb 3A5C7 demonstrates promising translational value to treat clinical morphine tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Jia Zhang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Chang-Geng Song
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Miao Wang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Gai-Qin Zhang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Bin Wang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Natural Functional Molecule of the Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Peng Lin
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yu-Meng Zhu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Zhi-Chuan Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xi'an Daxing Hospital, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ya-Zhou Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Institute of Neurosciences, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Jian-Li Jiang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ling Li
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Xiang-Min Yang
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Zhi-Nan Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
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4
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De Aquino JP, Bahji A, Gómez O, Sofuoglu M. Alleviation of opioid withdrawal by cannabis and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: A systematic review of observational and experimental human studies. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 241:109702. [PMID: 36434879 PMCID: PMC9772106 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While six U.S. states have already officially authorized cannabinoids to substitute opioids and treat opioid use disorder, the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids remain unclear, especially when weighted against their adverse effects. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of studies examining the association between opioid withdrawal and cannabis use or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) administration. We searched multiple databases from inception to July 30, 2022, and assessed study quality. RESULTS Eleven studies were identified, with a total of 5330 participants, of whom 64 % were male. Nine observational studies examined the association between cannabis use and opioid withdrawal. Two randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) investigated the withdrawal-alleviating effects of dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC. Four observational studies found an association between cannabis use and the alleviation of opioid withdrawal; one reported exacerbation of opioid withdrawal symptoms; and four reported no association. RCTs reported that THC alleviated opioid withdrawal, albeit with dose-dependent increases in measures of abuse liability, dysphoria, and tachycardia. There was high heterogeneity in measurements of opioid withdrawal and the type and dose of opioid at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Although there is preliminary evidence that cannabis and its main psychoactive constituent, THC, may alleviate opioid withdrawal, these effects are likely to have a narrow therapeutic window. Further, the potential of cannabinoids to alleviate opioid withdrawal is determined by complex interactions between patient characteristics and pharmacological factors. Collectively, these findings have clinical, methodological, and mechanistic implications for treating opioid withdrawal during cannabinoid use, and for efforts to alleviate opioid withdrawal using non-opioid therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joao P De Aquino
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George St., New Haven, CT 06511, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue (151D), West Haven, CT 06516, USA; Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit (CNRU), Conneticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park St, 3rd Floor, New Haven, CT, 06519.
| | - Anees Bahji
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Department of Psychiatry, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alb., Canada
| | - Oscar Gómez
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 7th Street, 40-02, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mehmet Sofuoglu
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 300 George St., New Haven, CT 06511, USA; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue (151D), West Haven, CT 06516, USA
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Asth L, Santos AC, Moreira FA. The endocannabinoid system and drug-associated contextual memories. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:90-104. [PMID: 33491992 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Drug abuse and addiction can be initiated and reinstated by contextual stimuli previously paired with the drug use. The influence exerted by the context on drug-seeking behaviour can be modelled in experimental animals with place-conditioning protocols. Here, we review the effects of cannabinoids in place conditioning and the therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid system for interfering with drug-related memories. The phytocannabinoid Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) tends to induce conditioned place preference (CPP) at low doses and conditioned place aversion at high doses; cannabidiol is devoid of any effect, yet it inhibits CPP induced by some drugs. Synthetic CB1 receptor agonists tend to recapitulate the biphasic profile observed with THC, whereas selective antagonists/inverse agonists inhibit CPP induced by cocaine, nicotine, alcohol and opioids. However, their therapeutic use is limited by potential psychiatric side effects. The CB2 receptor has also attracted attention, because selective CB2 receptor agonists inhibit cocaine-induced CPP. Inhibitors of endocannabinoid membrane transport and hydrolysis yield mixed results. In targeting the endocannabinoid system for developing new treatments for drug addiction, future research should focus on 'neutral' CB1 receptor antagonists and CB2 receptor agonists. Such compounds may offer a well-tolerated pharmacological profile and curb addiction by preventing drug-seeking triggered by conditioned contextual cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Asth
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Dodu JC, Moncayo RK, Damaj MI, Schlosburg JE, Akbarali HI, O'Brien LD, Kendall DA, Wu Z, Lu D, Lichtman AH. The Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 Positive Allosteric Modulator ZCZ011 Attenuates Naloxone-Precipitated Diarrhea and Weight Loss in Oxycodone-Dependent Mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 380:1-14. [PMID: 34625464 PMCID: PMC8969135 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder reflects a major public health crisis of morbidity and mortality in which opioid withdrawal often contributes to continued use. However, current medications that treat opioid withdrawal symptoms are limited by their abuse liability or lack of efficacy. Although cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor agonists, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, ameliorate opioid withdrawal in both clinical and preclinical studies of opioid dependence, this strategy elicits cannabimimetic side effects as well as tolerance and dependence after repeated administration. Alternatively, CB1 receptor positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) enhance CB1 receptor signaling and show efficacy in rodent models of pain and cannabinoid dependence but lack cannabimimetic side effects. We hypothesize that the CB1 receptor PAM ZCZ011 attenuates naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs in opioid-dependent mice. Accordingly, male and female mice given an escalating dosing regimen of oxycodone, a widely prescribed opioid, and challenged with naloxone displayed withdrawal signs that included diarrhea, weight loss, jumping, paw flutters, and head shakes. ZCZ011 fully attenuated naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced diarrhea and weight loss and reduced paw flutters by approximately half, but its effects on head shakes were unreliable, and it did not affect jumping behavior. The antidiarrheal and anti-weight loss effects of ZCZ0111 were reversed by a CB1 not a cannabinoid receptor type 2 receptor antagonist and were absent in CB1 (-/-) mice, suggesting a necessary role of CB1 receptors. Collectively, these results indicate that ZCZ011 completely blocked naloxone-precipitated diarrhea and weight loss in oxycodone-dependent mice and suggest that CB1 receptor PAMs may offer a novel strategy to treat opioid dependence. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Opioid use disorder represents a serious public health crisis in which current medications used to treat withdrawal symptoms are limited by abuse liability and side effects. The CB1 receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) ZCZ011, which lacks overt cannabimimetic behavioral effects, ameliorated naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs through a CB1 receptor mechanism of action in a mouse model of oxycodone dependence. These results suggest that CB1 receptor PAMs may represent a viable strategy to treat opioid withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien C Dodu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Rebecca K Moncayo
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Joel E Schlosburg
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Hamid I Akbarali
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Lesley D O'Brien
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Debra A Kendall
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Zhixing Wu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Dai Lu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
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Covey DP, Hernandez E, Luján MÁ, Cheer JF. Chronic Augmentation of Endocannabinoid Levels Persistently Increases Dopaminergic Encoding of Reward Cost and Motivation. J Neurosci 2021; 41:6946-6953. [PMID: 34230105 PMCID: PMC8360683 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0285-21.2021] [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: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivational deficits characterized by an unwillingness to overcome effortful costs are a common feature of neuropsychiatric and neurologic disorders that are insufficiently understood and treated. Dopamine (DA) signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) facilitates goal-seeking, but how NAc DA release encodes motivationally salient stimuli to influence effortful investment is not clear. Using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in male and female mice, we find that NAc DA release diametrically responds to cues signaling increasing cost of reward, while DA release to the reward itself is unaffected by its cost. Because endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling facilitates goal seeking and NAc DA release, we further investigated whether repeated augmentation of the eCB 2-arachidonoylglycerol with a low dose of a monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor facilitates motivation and DA signaling without the development of tolerance. We find that chronic MAGL treatment stably facilitates goal seeking and DA encoding of prior reward cost, providing critical insight into the neurobiological mechanisms of a viable treatment for motivational deficits.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Decades of work has established a fundamental role for dopamine neurotransmission in motivated behavior and cue-reward learning, but how dopaminergic encoding of cues associates with motivated action has remained unclear. Specifically, how dopamine neurons signal future and prior reward cost, and whether this can be modified to influence motivational set points is not known. The current study provides important insight into how dopamine neurons encode motivationally relevant stimuli to influence goal-directed action and supports cannabinoid-based therapies for treatment of motivational disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan P Covey
- Department of Neuroscience, Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108
| | - Edith Hernandez
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD), University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455
| | - Miguel Á Luján
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
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8
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Navarro-Zaragoza J, Martínez-Laorden E, Teruel-Fernández FJ, Gómez-Murcia V, Cánovas A, Milanés MV, Laorden ML, Almela P. Naloxone-induced conditioned place aversion score and extinction period are higher in C57BL/6J morphine-dependent mice than in Swiss: Role of HPA axis. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 201:173106. [PMID: 33444599 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Intense associative memories develop between drug-paired contextual cues and the drug withdrawal associated aversive feeling. They have been suggested to contribute to the high rate of relapse. Our study was aimed to elucidate the involvement of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity in the expression and extinction of aversive memory in Swiss and C57BL/6J (B6) mice. The animals were rendered dependent on morphine by i.p. injection of increasing doses of morphine (10-60 mg/kg). The negative state associated with naloxone (1 mg/kg s.c.) precipitated morphine withdrawal was examined by using conditioned place aversion (CPA) paradigm. B6 mice obtained a higher aversion score and took longer to extinguish the aversive memory than Swiss mice. In addition, corticosterone levels were increased after CPA expression. Moreover, corticosterone levels were decreased during CPA extinction in Swiss mice without changes in B6 mice. Pre-treatment with the selective CRF1 receptor antagonist CP-154,526 before naloxone, impaired morphine-withdrawal aversive memory acquisition and decreased the extinction period. CP-154,526 also antagonized the increased levels of corticosterone observed after CPA expression in Swiss mice, without any changes in B6 mice. These results indicate that HPA axis could be a critical factor governing opioid withdrawal memory storage and retrieval, but in a strain or stock-specific manner. The differences observed between Swiss and B6 mice suggest that the treatment of addictive disorders should consider different individual predisposition to associate the aversive learning with the context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E Martínez-Laorden
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Victoria Gómez-Murcia
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Alberto Cánovas
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - María-Luisa Laorden
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pilar Almela
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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9
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Koob GF. Drug Addiction: Hyperkatifeia/Negative Reinforcement as a Framework for Medications Development. Pharmacol Rev 2021; 73:163-201. [PMID: 33318153 PMCID: PMC7770492 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.120.000083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Compulsive drug seeking that is associated with addiction is hypothesized to follow a heuristic framework that involves three stages (binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation) and three domains of dysfunction (incentive salience/pathologic habits, negative emotional states, and executive function, respectively) via changes in the basal ganglia, extended amygdala/habenula, and frontal cortex, respectively. This review focuses on neurochemical/neurocircuitry dysregulations that contribute to hyperkatifeia, defined as a greater intensity of negative emotional/motivational signs and symptoms during withdrawal from drugs of abuse in the withdrawal/negative affect stage of the addiction cycle. Hyperkatifeia provides an additional source of motivation for compulsive drug seeking via negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement reflects an increase in the probability of a response to remove an aversive stimulus or drug seeking to remove hyperkatifeia that is augmented by genetic/epigenetic vulnerability, environmental trauma, and psychiatric comorbidity. Neurobiological targets for hyperkatifeia in addiction involve neurocircuitry of the extended amygdala and its connections via within-system neuroadaptations in dopamine, enkephalin/endorphin opioid peptide, and γ-aminobutyric acid/glutamate systems and between-system neuroadaptations in prostress corticotropin-releasing factor, norepinephrine, glucocorticoid, dynorphin, hypocretin, and neuroimmune systems and antistress neuropeptide Y, nociceptin, endocannabinoid, and oxytocin systems. Such neurochemical/neurocircuitry dysregulations are hypothesized to mediate a negative hedonic set point that gradually gains allostatic load and shifts from a homeostatic hedonic state to an allostatic hedonic state. Based on preclinical studies and translational studies to date, medications and behavioral therapies that reset brain stress, antistress, and emotional pain systems and return them to homeostasis would be promising new targets for medication development. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The focus of this review is on neurochemical/neurocircuitry dysregulations that contribute to hyperkatifeia, defined as a greater intensity of negative emotional/motivational signs and symptoms during withdrawal from drugs of abuse in the withdrawal/negative affect stage of the drug addiction cycle and a driving force for negative reinforcement in addiction. Medications and behavioral therapies that reverse hyperkatifeia by resetting brain stress, antistress, and emotional pain systems and returning them to homeostasis would be promising new targets for medication development.
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Affiliation(s)
- George F Koob
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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10
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Hermes DJ, Jacobs IR, Key MC, League AF, Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Xu C, McLane VD, Nass SR, Jiang W, Meeker RB, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Lichtman AH, Li Z, Wu Z, Yuan H, Knapp PE, Hauser KF, Fitting S. Escalating morphine dosing in HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice with sustained Tat exposure reveals an allostatic shift in neuroinflammatory regulation accompanied by increased neuroprotective non-endocannabinoid lipid signaling molecules and amino acids. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:345. [PMID: 33208151 PMCID: PMC7672881 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01971-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and opiates cause long-term inflammatory insult to the central nervous system (CNS) and worsen disease progression and HIV-1-related neuropathology. The combination of these proinflammatory factors reflects a devastating problem as opioids have high abuse liability and continue to be prescribed for certain patients experiencing HIV-1-related pain. METHODS Here, we examined the impact of chronic (3-month) HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) exposure to short-term (8-day), escalating morphine in HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice that express the HIV-1 Tat protein in a GFAP promoter-regulated, doxycycline (DOX)-inducible manner. In addition to assessing morphine-induced tolerance in nociceptive responses organized at spinal (i.e., tail-flick) and supraspinal (i.e., hot-plate) levels, we evaluated neuroinflammation via positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using the [18F]-PBR111 ligand, immunohistochemistry, and cytokine analyses. Further, we examined endocannabinoid (eCB) levels, related non-eCB lipids, and amino acids via mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Tat-expressing [Tat(+)] transgenic mice displayed antinociceptive tolerance in the tail withdrawal and hot-plate assays compared to control mice lacking Tat [Tat(-)]. This tolerance was accompanied by morphine-dependent increases in Iba-1 ± 3-nitrotryosine immunoreactive microglia, and alterations in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines in the spinal cord and striatum, while increases in neuroinflammation were absent by PET imaging of [18F]-PBR111 uptake. Tat and morphine exposure differentially affected eCB levels, non-eCB lipids, and specific amino acids in a region-dependent manner. In the striatum, non-eCB lipids were significantly increased by short-term, escalating morphine exposure, including peroxisome proliferator activator receptor alpha (PPAR-α) ligands N-oleoyl ethanolamide (OEA) and N-palmitoyl ethanolamide (PEA), as well as the amino acids phenylalanine and proline. In the spinal cord, Tat exposure increased amino acids leucine and valine, while morphine decreased levels of tyrosine and valine but did not affect eCBs or non-eCB lipids. CONCLUSION Overall results demonstrate that 3 months of Tat exposure increased morphine tolerance and potentially innate immune tolerance evidenced by reductions in specific cytokines (e.g., IL-1α, IL-12p40) and microglial reactivity. In contrast, short-term, escalating morphine exposure acted as a secondary stressor revealing an allostatic shift in CNS baseline inflammatory responsiveness from sustained Tat exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Hermes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ian R Jacobs
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Megan C Key
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alexis F League
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Virginia D McLane
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rick B Meeker
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Zibo Li
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Zhanhong Wu
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hong Yuan
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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11
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Bergeria CL, Huhn AS, Dunn KE. The impact of naturalistic cannabis use on self-reported opioid withdrawal. J Subst Abuse Treat 2020; 113:108005. [PMID: 32359667 PMCID: PMC7212528 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Four states have legalized medical cannabis for the purpose of treating opioid use disorder. It is unclear whether cannabinoids improve or exacerbate opioid withdrawal. A more thorough examination of cannabis and its impact on specific symptoms of opioid withdrawal is warranted. METHOD Two hundred individuals recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk with past month opioid and cannabis use and experience of opioid withdrawal completed the survey. Participants indicated which opioid withdrawal symptoms improved or worsened with cannabis use and indicated the severity of their opioid withdrawal on days with and without cannabis. RESULTS 62.5% (n = 125) of 200 participants had used cannabis to treat withdrawal. Participants most frequently indicated that cannabis improved: anxiety, tremors, and trouble sleeping. A minority of participants (6.0%, n = 12) indicated cannabis worsened opioid withdrawal, specifically symptoms of yawning, teary eyes, and runny nose. Across all symptoms, more participants indicated that symptoms improved with cannabis compared to those that indicated symptoms worsened with cannabis. Women reported greater relief from withdrawal with cannabis use than men. DISCUSSION These results show that cannabis may improve opioid withdrawal symptoms and that the size of the effect is clinically meaningful. It is important to note that symptoms are exacerbated with cannabis in only a minority of individuals. Prospectively designed studies examining the impact of cannabis and cannabinoids on opioid withdrawal are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia L Bergeria
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America.
| | - Andrew S Huhn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America
| | - Kelly E Dunn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224, United States of America
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12
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Dunn KE, Huhn AS, Bergeria CL, Gipson CD, Weerts EM. Non-Opioid Neurotransmitter Systems that Contribute to the Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: A Review of Preclinical and Human Evidence. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2019; 371:422-452. [PMID: 31391211 PMCID: PMC6863456 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.258004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid misuse and abuse is a major international public health issue. Opioid use disorder (OUD) is largely maintained by a desire to suppress aversive opioid withdrawal symptoms. Opioid withdrawal in patients seeking abstinence from illicit or prescribed opioids is often managed by provision of a μ-opioid agonist/partial agonist in combination with concomitant medications. Concomitant medications are administered based on their ability to treat specific symptoms rather than a mechanistic understanding of the opioid withdrawal syndrome; however, their use has not been statistically associated with improved treatment outcomes. Understanding the central and/or peripheral mechanisms that underlie individual withdrawal symptom expression in humans will help promote medication development for opioid withdrawal management. To support focused examination of mechanistically supported concomitant medications, this review summarizes evidence from preclinical (N = 68) and human (N = 30) studies that administered drugs acting on the dopamine, serotonin, cannabinoid, orexin/hypocretin, and glutamate systems and reported outcomes related to opioid withdrawal. These studies provide evidence that each of these systems contribute to opioid withdrawal severity. The Food and Drug Administration has approved medications acting on these respective systems for other indications and research in this area could support the repurposing of these medications to enhance opioid withdrawal treatment. These data support a focused examination of mechanistically informed concomitant medications to help reduce opioid withdrawal severity and enhance the continuum of care available for persons with OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly E Dunn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.D.E., A.S.H., C.L.B., E.M.W.); and Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (C.D.G.)
| | - Andrew S Huhn
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.D.E., A.S.H., C.L.B., E.M.W.); and Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (C.D.G.)
| | - Cecilia L Bergeria
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.D.E., A.S.H., C.L.B., E.M.W.); and Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (C.D.G.)
| | - Cassandra D Gipson
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.D.E., A.S.H., C.L.B., E.M.W.); and Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (C.D.G.)
| | - Elise M Weerts
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.D.E., A.S.H., C.L.B., E.M.W.); and Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona (C.D.G.)
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13
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Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a major public health crisis worldwide, and effective treatment options are limited. During the past 2 decades, researchers have investigated the impact of a variety of pharmacological approaches to treat SUD, one of which is the use of medical cannabis or cannabinoids. Significant progress was made with the discovery of rimonabant, a selective CB1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist (also an inverse agonist), as a promising therapeutic for SUDs and obesity. However, serious adverse effects such as depression and suicidality led to the withdrawal of rimonabant (and almost all other CB1R antagonists/inverse agonists) from clinical trials worldwide in 2008. Since then, much research interest has shifted to other cannabinoid-based strategies, such as peripheral CB1R antagonists/inverse agonists, neutral CB1R antagonists, allosteric CB1R modulators, CB2R agonists, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors, fatty acid binding protein (FABP) inhibitors, or nonaddictive phytocannabinoids with CB1R or CB2R-binding profiles, as new therapeutics for SUDs. In this article, we first review recent progress in research regarding the endocannabinoid systems, cannabis reward versus aversion, and the underlying receptor mechanisms. We then review recent progress in cannabinoid-based medication development for the treatment of SUDs. As evidence continues to accumulate, neutral CB1R antagonists (such as AM4113), CB2R agonists (JWH133, Xie2-64), and nonselective phytocannabinoids (cannabidiol, β-caryophyllene, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabivarin) have shown great therapeutic potential for SUDs, as shown in experimental animals. Several cannabinoid-based medications (e.g., dronabinol, nabilone, PF-04457845) that entered clinical trials have shown promising results in reducing withdrawal symptoms in cannabis and opioid users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Galaj
- Addiction Biology Unit, Molecular Targets and Medication Discoveries Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- Addiction Biology Unit, Molecular Targets and Medication Discoveries Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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14
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Petrie GN, Wills KL, Piscitelli F, Smoum R, Limebeer CL, Rock EM, Humphrey AE, Sheppard-Perkins M, Lichtman AH, Mechoulam R, Di Marzo V, Parker LA. Oleoyl glycine: interference with the aversive effects of acute naloxone-precipitated MWD, but not morphine reward, in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:2623-2633. [PMID: 30993360 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05237-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Oleoyl glycine (OlGly), a recently discovered fatty acid amide that is structurally similar to N- acylethanolamines, which include the endocannabinoid, anandamide (AEA), as well as endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), has been shown to interfere with nicotine reward and dependence in mice. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS Behavioral and molecular techniques were used to investigate the ability of OlGly to interfere with the affective properties of morphine and morphine withdrawal (MWD) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. RESULTS Synthetic OlGly (1-30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [ip]) produced neither a place preference nor aversion on its own; however, at doses of 1 and 5 mg/kg, ip, it blocked the aversive effects of MWD in a place aversion paradigm. This effect was reversed by the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor antagonist, AM251 (1 mg/kg, ip), but not the PPARα antagonist, MK886 (1 mg/kg, ip). OlGly (5 or 30 mg/kg, ip) did not interfere with a morphine-induced place preference or reinstatement of a previously extinguished morphine-induced place preference. Ex vivo analysis of tissue (nucleus accumbens, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and interoceptive insular cortex) collected from rats experiencing naloxone-precipitated MWD revealed that OlGly was selectively elevated in the nucleus accumbens. MWD did not modify levels of the endocannabinoids 2-AG and AEA, nor those of the PPARα ligands, OEA and PEA, in any region evaluated. CONCLUSION Here, we show that OlGly interferes with the aversive properties of acute naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal in rats. These results suggest that OlGly may reduce the impact of MWD and may possess efficacy in treating opiate withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin N Petrie
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada
| | - Kiri L Wills
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Reem Smoum
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Cheryl L Limebeer
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada
| | - Erin M Rock
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada
| | - Ashlyn E Humphrey
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada
| | | | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada.
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15
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Freels TG, Lester DB, Cook MN. Arachidonoyl serotonin (AA-5-HT) modulates general fear-like behavior and inhibits mesolimbic dopamine release. Behav Brain Res 2019; 362:140-151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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16
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Covey DP, Dantrassy HM, Yohn SE, Castro A, Conn PJ, Mateo Y, Cheer JF. Inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation rectifies motivational and dopaminergic deficits in the Q175 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:2056-2063. [PMID: 29925886 PMCID: PMC6098121 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0107-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Prominent motor deficits (e.g., chorea) that typify Huntington's disease (HD) arise following a prolonged prodromal stage characterized by psychiatric disturbances. Apathy, a disorder of motivation characterized by diminished goal-directed behavior, is one of the earliest and most common psychiatric symptoms in HD, but the underlying neurobiology is unclear and treatment options are limited. Alterations in the endocannabinoid (eCB) and dopamine systems represent prominent pathophysiological markers in HD that-similar to motivational deficits-present early and decline across disease progression. Whether changes in dopamine and eCB systems are associated with specific behavioral impairments in HD and whether these deficits are amenable to viable treatments is unknown. Here, we show that dopaminergic encoding of effortful drive progressively declines with age in an HD mouse model, and is restored by elevating tissue levels of the eCB 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) through targeted inhibition of its enzymatic degradation. This work supports aberrant dopaminergic encoding of reward as a neurobiological correlate of apathy in HD, and indicates that cannabinoid receptor-based therapies may benefit neuropsychiatric care for HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan P Covey
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hannah M Dantrassy
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Samantha E Yohn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Alberto Castro
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - P Jeffrey Conn
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yolanda Mateo
- Section on Synaptic Pharmacology, Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, US National Institute of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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17
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Gil-Ordóñez A, Martín-Fontecha M, Ortega-Gutiérrez S, López-Rodríguez ML. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) as a promising therapeutic target. Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 157:18-32. [PMID: 30059673 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2018.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) has been characterized as the main enzyme responsible for the inactivation of the most abundant brain endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Besides this role, MAGL has progressively acquired a growing importance as an integrative metabolic hub that controls not only the in vivo levels of 2-AG but also of other monoacylglycerides and, indirectly, the levels of free fatty acids derived from their hydrolysis as well as other lipids with pro-inflammatory or pro-tumorigenic effects, coming from the further metabolism of fatty acids. All these functions have only started to be elucidated in the last years due to the progress made in the knowledge of the structure of MAGL and in the development of genetic and chemical tools. In this review we report the advances made in the field with a special focus on the last decade and how MAGL has become a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of several diseases that currently lack appropriate therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Gil-Ordóñez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Av. Complutense s/n, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Martín-Fontecha
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Av. Complutense s/n, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Silvia Ortega-Gutiérrez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Av. Complutense s/n, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María L López-Rodríguez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Av. Complutense s/n, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
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18
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Curry ZA, Wilkerson JL, Bagdas D, Kyte SL, Patel N, Donvito G, Mustafa MA, Poklis JL, Niphakis MJ, Hsu KL, Cravatt BF, Gewirtz DA, Damaj MI, Lichtman AH. Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitors Reverse Paclitaxel-Induced Nociceptive Behavior and Proinflammatory Markers in a Mouse Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 366:169-183. [PMID: 29540562 PMCID: PMC6038031 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.245704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although paclitaxel effectively treats various cancers, its debilitating peripheral neuropathic pain side effects often persist long after treatment has ended. Therefore, a compelling need exists for the identification of novel pharmacologic strategies to mitigate this condition. As inhibitors of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the primary hydrolytic enzyme of the endogenous cannabinoid, 2-arachidonyolglycerol, produces antinociceptive effects in numerous rodent models of pain, we investigated whether inhibitors of this enzyme (i.e., JZL184 and MJN110) would reverse paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia in mice. These drugs dose dependently reversed allodynia with respective ED50 values (95% confidence limit) of 8.4 (5.2-13.6) and 1.8 (1.0-3.3) mg/kg. Complementary genetic and pharmacologic approaches revealed that the antiallodynic effects of each drug require both cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2 MJN110 reduced paclitaxel-mediated increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, CCL2) and phospho-p38 MAPK in dorsal root ganglia as well as MCP-1 in spinal dorsal horn. Whereas the antinociceptive effects of high dose JZL184 (40 mg/kg) underwent tolerance following 6 days of repeated dosing, repeated administration of a threshold dose (i.e., 4 mg/kg) completely reversed paclitaxel-induced allodynia. In addition, we found that the administration of MJN110 to control mice lacked intrinsic rewarding effects in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. However, it produced a CPP in paclitaxel-treated animals, suggesting a reduced paclitaxel-induced aversive state. Importantly, JZL184 did not alter the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of paclitaxel in A549 and H460 non-small cell lung cancer cells. Taken together, these data indicate that MAGL inhibitors reverse paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain without interfering with chemotherapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Curry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - S Lauren Kyte
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Nipa Patel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Mohammed A Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Ku-Lung Hsu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - David A Gewirtz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
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19
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de Carvalho CR, Takahashi RN. Cannabidiol disrupts the reconsolidation of contextual drug-associated memories in Wistar rats. Addict Biol 2017; 22:742-751. [PMID: 26833888 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In addicts, craving and relapse are frequently induced by the recall of memories related to a drug experience. Several studies have demonstrated that drug-related memories are reactivated after exposure to environmental cues and may undergo reconsolidation, a process that can strengthen memories. Thus, reactivation of mnemonic traces provides an opportunity for disrupting memories that contribute to the pathological cycle of addiction. Here we used drug-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) to investigate whether cannabidiol (CBD), a phytocannabinoid, given just after reactivation sessions, would affect reconsolidation of drug-reward memory, reinstatement of morphine-CPP, or conditioned place aversion precipitated by naltrexone in Wistar rats. We found that CBD impaired the reconsolidation of preference for the environment previously paired with both morphine and cocaine. This disruption seems to be persistent, as the preference did not return after further reinstatement induced by priming drug and stress reinstatement. Moreover, in an established morphine-CPP, an injection of CBD after the exposure to a conditioning session led to a significant reduction of both morphine-CPP and subsequent conditioned place aversion precipitated by naltrexone in the same context. Thus, established memories induced by a drug of abuse can be blocked after reactivation of the drug experience. Taken together, these results provide evidence for the disruptive effect of CBD on reconsolidation of contextual drug-related memories and highlight its therapeutic potential to attenuate contextual memories associated with drugs of abuse and consequently to reduce the risk of relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiane Ribeiro de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Department of Pharmacology; Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Florianópolis Brazil
| | - Reinaldo Naoto Takahashi
- Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, Department of Pharmacology; Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Florianópolis Brazil
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20
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Grabner GF, Zimmermann R, Schicho R, Taschler U. Monoglyceride lipase as a drug target: At the crossroads of arachidonic acid metabolism and endocannabinoid signaling. Pharmacol Ther 2017; 175:35-46. [PMID: 28213089 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2017.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Monoglyerides (MGs) are short-lived, intermediary lipids deriving from the degradation of phospho- and neutral lipids, and monoglyceride lipase (MGL), also designated as monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), is the major enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of MGs into glycerol and fatty acids. This distinct function enables MGL to regulate a number of physiological and pathophysiological processes since both MGs and fatty acids can act as signaling lipids or precursors thereof. The most prominent MG species acting as signaling lipid is 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) which is the most abundant endogenous agonist of cannabinoid receptors in the body. Importantly, recent observations demonstrate that 2-AG represents a quantitatively important source for arachidonic acid, the precursor of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators. Accordingly, MGL-mediated 2-AG degradation affects lipid signaling by cannabinoid receptor-dependent and independent mechanisms. Recent genetic and pharmacological studies gave important insights into MGL's role in (patho-)physiological processes, and the enzyme is now considered as a promising drug target for a number of disorders including cancer, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes the basics of MG (2-AG) metabolism and provides an overview on the therapeutic potential of MGL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gernot F Grabner
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Robert Zimmermann
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Rudolf Schicho
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Ulrike Taschler
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-eighth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2015 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia, stress and social status, tolerance and dependence, learning and memory, eating and drinking, drug abuse and alcohol, sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology, mental illness and mood, seizures and neurologic disorders, electrical-related activity and neurophysiology, general activity and locomotion, gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions, cardiovascular responses, respiration and thermoregulation, and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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22
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Wilkerson JL, Ghosh S, Mustafa M, Abdullah RA, Niphakis MJ, Cabrera R, Maldonado RL, Cravatt BF, Lichtman AH. The endocannabinoid hydrolysis inhibitor SA-57: Intrinsic antinociceptive effects, augmented morphine-induced antinociception, and attenuated heroin seeking behavior in mice. Neuropharmacology 2016; 114:156-167. [PMID: 27890602 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Although opioids are highly efficacious analgesics, their abuse potential and other untoward side effects diminish their therapeutic utility. The addition of non-opioid analgesics offers a promising strategy to reduce required antinociceptive opioid doses that concomitantly reduce opioid-related side effects. Inhibitors of the primary endocannabinoid catabolic enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) show opioid-sparing effects in preclinical models of pain. As simultaneous inhibition of these enzymes elicits enhanced antinociceptive effects compared with single enzyme inhibition, the present study tested whether the dual FAAH-MAGL inhibitor SA-57 [4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl ester] produces morphine-sparing antinociceptive effects, without major side effects associated with either drug class. SA-57 dose-dependently reversed mechanical allodynia in the constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve model of neuropathic pain and carrageenan inflammatory pain model. As previously reported, SA-57 was considerably more potent in elevating anandamide (AEA) than 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) in brain. Its anti-allodynic effects required cannabinoid (CB)1 and CB2 receptors; however, only CB2 receptors were necessary for the anti-edematous effects in the carrageenan assay. Although high doses of SA-57 alone were required to produce antinociception, low doses of this compound, which elevated AEA and did not affect 2-AG brain levels, augmented the antinociceptive effects of morphine, but lacked cannabimimetic side effects. Because of the high abuse liability of opioids and implication of the endocannabinoid system in the reinforcing effects of opioids, the final experiment tested whether SA-57 would alter heroin seeking behavior. Strikingly, SA-57 reduced heroin-reinforced nose poke behavior and the progressive ratio break point for heroin. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that inhibition of endocannabinoid degradative enzymes represents a promising therapeutic approach to decrease effective doses of opioids needed for clinical pain control, and may also possess therapeutic potential to reduce opioid abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Sudeshna Ghosh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mohammed Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rehab A Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Roberto Cabrera
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology. Department de Ciencies Experimentals i de la Salut, Pompeu Fabra University, PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael L Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology. Department de Ciencies Experimentals i de la Salut, Pompeu Fabra University, PRBB, C/ Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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23
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Fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 prevented tolerance and cognitive deficits induced by chronic morphine administration in rats. Behav Pharmacol 2016; 27:37-43. [PMID: 26274041 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Inhibitors of the endocannabinoid metabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase exert therapeutic effects, but might also be associated with some of the adverse effects of cannabis. However, at least one fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor, URB597, has beneficial effects without signs of abuse or dependence. Although previous investigations have evaluated URB597-morphine interactions, the effects of URB597 on morphine tolerance and cognition deficits have not been studied previously. Rats were rendered tolerant to or dependent on morphine by an injection of morphine (10 mg/kg, subcutaneous) twice daily, respectively, for 7 or 10 days. URB597 (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) was administered before morphine. The tail-flick and passive avoidance learning tests were used to evaluate tolerance and cognition. Chronic morphine injection led to significant tolerance to the antinociceptive effect on days 5 and 7. URB597 completely prevented the development of morphine tolerance. URB597 also enhanced memory acquisition in the passive avoidance learning test, and although morphine impaired memory, URB597 alleviated this effect. These data show that URB597 protects against tolerance and memory deficits in chronic usage of morphine and suggests URB597 as a promising candidate for the treatment of adverse effects of opioids.
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Lofwall MR, Babalonis S, Nuzzo PA, Elayi SC, Walsh SL. Opioid withdrawal suppression efficacy of oral dronabinol in opioid dependent humans. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 164:143-150. [PMID: 27234658 PMCID: PMC4910823 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cannabinoid (CB) system is a rational novel target for treating opioid dependence, a significant public health problem around the world. This proof-of-concept study examined the potential efficacy of a CB1 receptor partial agonist, dronabinol, in relieving signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal. METHODS Twelve opioid dependent adults participated in this 5-week, inpatient, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Volunteers were maintained on double-blind oxycodone (30mg oral, four times/day) and participated in a training session followed by 7 experimental sessions, each testing a single oral test dose (placebo, oxycodone 30 and 60mg, dronabinol 5, 10, 20, and 30mg [decreased from 40mg]). Placebo was substituted for oxycodone maintenance doses for 21h before each session in order to produce measurable opioid withdrawal. Outcomes included observer- and participant-ratings of opioid agonist, opioid withdrawal and psychomotor/cognitive performance. RESULTS Oxycodone produced prototypic opioid agonist effects (i.e. suppressing withdrawal and increasing subjective effects indicative of abuse liability). Dronabinol 5 and 10mg produced effects most similar to placebo, while the 20 and 30mg doses produced modest signals of withdrawal suppression that were accompanied by dose-related increases in high, sedation, bad effects, feelings of heart racing, and tachycardia. Dronabinol was not liked more than placebo, showed some impairment in cognitive performance, and was identified as marijuana with increasing dose. CONCLUSION CB1 receptor activation is a reasonable strategy to pursue for the treatment of opioid withdrawal; however, dronabinol is not a likely candidate given its modest withdrawal suppression effects of limited duration and previously reported tachycardia during opioid withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R. Lofwall
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine (UK COM), Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, 845 Angliana Ave., Lexington, KY, United States 40508,UK COM, Department of Behavioral Science, Lexington, KY, United States 40536,UK COM, Department of Psychiatry, Lexington, KY, United States 40509
| | - Shanna Babalonis
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine (UK COM), Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, 845 Angliana Ave., Lexington, KY, United States 40508,UK COM, Department of Behavioral Science, Lexington, KY, United States 40536
| | - Paul A. Nuzzo
- UK COM, Department of Behavioral Science, Lexington, KY, United States 40536
| | - Samy Claude Elayi
- UK COM, Department of Cardiology, Gill Heart Institute, Lexington, KY, United States 40536
| | - Sharon L. Walsh
- University of Kentucky College of Medicine (UK COM), Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, 845 Angliana Ave., Lexington, KY, United States 40508,UK COM, Department of Behavioral Science, Lexington, KY, United States 40536,UK COM, Department of Psychiatry, Lexington, KY, United States 40509
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25
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Wills KL, Parker LA. Effect of Pharmacological Modulation of the Endocannabinoid System on Opiate Withdrawal: A Review of the Preclinical Animal Literature. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:187. [PMID: 27445822 PMCID: PMC4923145 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, animal studies have revealed a role for the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of multiple aspects of opiate addiction. The current review provides an overview of this literature in regards to opiate withdrawal. The opiate withdrawal syndrome, hypothesized to act as a negative reinforcer in mediating continued drug use, can be characterized by the emergence of spontaneous or precipitated aversive somatic and affective states following the termination of drug use. The behaviors measured to quantify somatic opiate withdrawal and the paradigms employed to assess affective opiate withdrawal (e.g., conditioned place aversion) in both acutely and chronically dependent animals are discussed in relation to the ability of the endocannabinoid system to modulate these behaviors. Additionally, the brain regions mediating somatic and affective opiate withdrawal are elucidated with respect to their modulation by the endocannabinoid system. Ultimately, a review of these findings reveals dissociations between the brain regions mediating somatic and affective opiate withdrawal, and the ability of cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor agonism/antagonism to interfere with opiate withdrawal within different brain sub regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiri L Wills
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, Canada
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