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Chu L, Shu Z, Gu X, Wu Y, Yang J, Deng H. The Endocannabinoid System as a Potential Therapeutic Target for HIV-1-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2023. [PMID: 36745405 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite the successful introduction of combined antiretroviral therapy, the prevalence of mild to moderate forms of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remains high. It has been demonstrated that neuronal injury caused by HIV is excitotoxic and inflammatory, and it correlates with neurocognitive decline in HAND. Endocannabinoid system (ECS) protects the body from excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation on demand and presents a promising therapeutic target for treating HAND. Here, we firstly discuss the potential pathogenesis of HAND. We secondly discuss the structural and functional changes in the ECS that are currently known among HAND patients. We thirdly discuss current clinical and preclinical findings concerning the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of the ECS among HAND patients. Fourth, we will discuss the interactions between the ECS and neuroendocrine systems, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes under the HAND conditions. Materials and Methods: We have carried out a review of the literature using PubMed to summarize the current state of knowledge on the association between ECS and HAND. Results: The ECS may be ideally suited for modulation of HAND pathophysiology. Direct activation of presynaptic cannabinoid receptor 1 or reduction of cannabinoid metabolism attenuates HAND excitotoxicity. Chronic neuroinflammation associated with HAND can be reduced by activating cannabinoid receptor 2 on immune cells. The sensitivity of the ECS to HIV may be enhanced by increased cannabinoid receptor expression in HAND. In addition, indirect regulation of the ECS through modulation of hormone-related receptors may be a potential strategy to influence the ECS and also alleviate the progression of HAND due to the reciprocal inhibition of the ECS by the HPA and HPG axes. Conclusions: Taken together, targeting the ECS may be a promising strategy to alleviate the inflammation and neurodegeneration caused by HIV-1 infection. Further studies are required to clarify the role of endocannabinoid signaling in HIV neurotoxicity. Strategies promoting endocannabinoid signaling may slow down cognitive decline of HAND are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuxi Chu
- Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China.,Department of Child Development and Education, Research Center for Learning Science, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zheng Shu
- Clinical Nutrition Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xinpei Gu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China.,Department of Child Development and Education, Research Center for Learning Science, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jin Yang
- Department of Child Development and Education, Research Center for Learning Science, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Child and Adolescent Hygienics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huihua Deng
- Department of Brain and Learning Science, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Child Development and Learning Science (Southeast University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China.,Department of Child Development and Education, Research Center for Learning Science, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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De Laurentiis A, Correa F, Fernández-Solari J. Endocannabinoid system in the neuroendocrine response to LPS-induced immune challenge. J Endocr Soc 2022; 6:bvac120. [PMID: 36042978 PMCID: PMC9419496 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system plays a key role in the intersection of the nervous, endocrine, and immune system, regulating not only their functions but also how they interplay with each other. Endogenous ligands, named endocannabinoids, are produced “on demand” to finely regulate the synthesis and secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters, as well as to regulate the production of cytokines and other proinflammatory mediators.
It is well known that immune challenges, such as exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the main component of the Gram-negative bacteria cell wall, disrupts not only the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis but also affects other endocrine systems such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the release of oxytocin from the neurohypophysis. Here we explore which actors and molecular mechanisms are involved in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Laurentiis
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Fisiología, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires , Argentina
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UBA/CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires , Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) , Argentina
| | - Fernando Correa
- Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos, Universidad de Buenos Aires-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UBA/CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires , Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) , Argentina
| | - Javier Fernández-Solari
- Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Facultad de Odontología, Cátedra de Fisiología, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires , Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) , Argentina
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Le Roux M, Möller M, Harvey BH. Prolonged efavirenz exposure reduces peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin comparable to known drugs of addiction in male Sprague Dawley rats. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2021; 11:56-63. [PMID: 34939063 PMCID: PMC8664698 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2021.06.003] [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: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Several drugs of abuse (DOA) are capable of modulating neurohypophysial hormones, such as oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP), potentially resulting in the development of psychological abnormalities, such as cognitive dysfunction, psychoses, and affective disorders. Efavirenz (EFV), widely used in Africa and globally to treat HIV, induces diverse neuropsychiatric side effects while its abuse has become a global concern. The actions of EFV may involve neurohypophysial system (NS) disruption like that of known DOA. This study investigated whether sub-chronic EFV exposure, at a previously-determined rewarding dose, alters peripheral OT and VP levels versus that of a control, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC), methamphetamine (MA) and cocaine. Materials and methods To simulate the conditions under which reward-driven behavior had previously been established for EFV, male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 16/exposure) received intraperitoneal vehicle (control) or drug administration across an alternating sixteen-day dosing protocol. Control administration (saline/olive oil; 0.2 ml) occurred on odd-numbered and drug administration (EFV: 5 mg/kg, ∆9-THC: 0.75 mg/kg, MA: 1 mg/kg, or cocaine: 20 mg/kg) on even-numbered days followed by euthanasia, trunk blood collection and plasma extraction for neuropeptide assay. Effect of drug exposure on peripheral OT and VP levels was assessed versus controls and quantified using specific ELISA kits. Statistical significance was determined by Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, with p < 0.05. Ethics approval: NWU-00291-17-A5. Results Delta-9-THC reduced OT and VP plasma levels (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0141; respectively), cocaine reduced plasma OT (p = 0.0023), while MA reduced plasma VP levels (p = 0.0001), all versus control. EFV reduced OT and VP plasma levels (p < 0.0001; OT and VP) versus control, and similar to ∆9-THC. Conclusion EFV markedly affects the NS in significantly reducing both plasma OT and VP equivalent to DOA. Importantly, EFV has distinct effects on peripheral OT and VP levels when assessed within the context of drug dependence. The data highlights a possible new mechanism underlying previously documented EFV-induced effects in rats, and whereby EFV may induce neuropsychiatric adverse effects clinically; also providing a deeper understanding of the suggested abuse-potential of EFV.
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Key Words
- 5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin)
- ADH, antidiuretic hormone
- AEA, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide)
- ANOVA, one-way analysis of variance
- ARRIVE, animal research: reporting of in vivo experiments (guidelines)
- ARV, antiretroviral
- Ach, acetylcholine
- CB, cannabinoid
- CNS, central nervous system
- CPP, conditioned place preference
- Cocaine
- DA, dopamine
- DAT, dopamine transporter
- DOA‘s, drug(s) of abuse
- ECS, endocannabinoid system
- EFV, efavirenz
- ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
- Efavirenz
- GABA, gamma-aminobutyric acid
- Glu, glutamate
- HIV, human immunodeficiency virus
- HNS, hypothalamic neurohypophysial system
- HPA, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (axis)
- IP, intraperitoneal
- IV, intravenous
- M, muscarinic
- MA, methamphetamine
- MAO, monoamine oxidase
- Methamphetamine
- NAc, nucleus accumbens
- NE, norepinephrine
- NO, nitric oxide
- NPAE, neuropsychiatric adverse effect
- OT, oxytocin
- OTR, oxytocin receptor
- Oxytocin
- PND, postnatal day
- PVN, paraventricular nucleus
- SC, subcutaneous
- SD, Sprague Dawley (rat)
- SEM, standard error of the mean
- SERT, serotonin transporter
- SON, supraoptic nucleus
- VMAT, vesicular monoamine transporter
- VP, vasopressin
- VPR, vasopressin receptor
- Vasopressin
- cART, combined antiretroviral therapy
- ∆9-THC, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
- ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandi Le Roux
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.,Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmaCenTM), School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Marisa Möller
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.,Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmaCenTM), School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Brian H Harvey
- Division of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.,Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmaCenTM), School of Pharmacy, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Lacson JCA, Carroll JD, Tuazon E, Castelao EJ, Bernstein L, Cortessis VK. Population-based case-control study of recreational drug use and testis cancer risk confirms an association between marijuana use and nonseminoma risk. Cancer 2012; 118:5374-83. [PMID: 22965656 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.27554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2011] [Revised: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) incidence increased steadily in recent decades, but causes remain elusive. Germ cell function may be influenced by cannabinoids, and 2 prior epidemiologic studies reported that the use of marijuana may be associated with nonseminomatous TGCT. Here, the authors evaluate the relation between TGCTs and exposure to marijuana and other recreational drugs using a population-based case-control study. METHODS In total, 163 patients who were diagnosed with TGCT in Los Angeles County from December 1986 to April 1991 were enrolled, and 292 controls were matched on age, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood. Participants were asked about drug use by a structured, in-person interview. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression analysis adjusted for history of cryptorchidism; education; religiosity; and reported use of marijuana, cocaine, and amyl nitrite. RESULTS Compared with never use, ever use of marijuana had a 2-fold increased risk (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.02-3.68), whereas ever use of cocaine had a negative association with TGCT (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.32-0.91). Stratification on tumor histology revealed a specific association of marijuana use with nonseminoma and mixed histology tumors (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.08-5.42). CONCLUSIONS A specific association was observed between marijuana use and the risk of nonseminoma and mixed tumors. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a negative association between cocaine use and TGCT risk. The current results warrant mechanistic studies of marijuana's effect on the endocannabinoid system and TGCT risk and caution that recreational and therapeutic use of cannabinoids by young men may confer malignant potential to testicular germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Charles A Lacson
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9175, USA
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Cho HS, Jeun SH, Li QZ, Kim KJ, Choi SJ, Sung KW. Involvement of the Endocannabinoid System in Ethanol-Induced Corticostriatal Synaptic Depression. J Pharmacol Sci 2012; 120:45-9. [DOI: 10.1254/jphs.12118fp] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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