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Atwal N, Sokolaj E, Mitchell VA, Winters BL, Vaughan CW. Disrupted stress-induced analgesia in a neuropathic pain state is rescued by the endocannabinoid degradation inhibitor JZL195. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 38922705 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Acute stress normally engages descending brain pathways to produce an antinociceptive response, known as stress-induced analgesia. Paradoxically, these descending pain modulatory pathways are also involved in the maintenance of the abnormal pain associated with chronic neuropathic pain. It remains unclear how stress-induced analgesia is affected by neuropathic pain states. We therefore examined the impact of a chronic constriction nerve-injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain on restraint stress-induced analgesia in C57BL/6 mice. Thirty minutes of restraint stress produced analgesia in the hotplate thermal nociceptive assay that was less in CCI compared to control mice who underwent a sham-surgery. In sham but not CCI mice, stress-induced analgesia was reduced by the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone. The cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist AM281 did not affect stress-induced analgesia in either sham or CCI mice. Low-dose pre-treatment with the dual fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor JZL195 increased stress-induced analgesia in CCI but not sham mice. The JZL195 enhancement of stress-induced analgesia in CCI mice was abolished by AM281 but was unaffected by naltrexone. These findings indicate that the acute opioid-mediated analgesic response to a psychological stressor is disrupted in a nerve-injury model of neuropathic pain. Importantly, this impairment of stress-induced analgesia was rescued by blockade of endocannabinoid breakdown via a cannabinoid CB1 receptor dependent mechanism. These findings suggest that subthreshold treatment with endocannabinoid degradation blockers could be used to alleviate the disruption of endogenous pain control systems in a neuropathic pain state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Atwal
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eddy Sokolaj
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanessa A Mitchell
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bryony L Winters
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher W Vaughan
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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2
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Zhang J, Zhang J, Yuan R, Han W, Chang Y, Kong L, Wei C, Zheng Q, Zhu X, Liu Z, Ren W, Han J. Inhibition of cannabinoid degradation enhances hippocampal contextual fear memory and exhibits anxiolytic effects. iScience 2024; 27:108919. [PMID: 38318362 PMCID: PMC10839683 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated the pivotal involvement of endocannabinoids in regulating learning and memory, but the conclusions obtained from different paradigms or contexts are somewhat controversial, and the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Here, we show that JZL195, a dual inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase, can enhance the performance of mice in a contextual fear conditioning task and increase the time spent in open arms in the elevated zero maze (EZM). Although the effect of JZL195 on fear memory could not be inhibited by antagonists of cannabinoid receptors, the effect on the EZM seems to be mediated by CB1R. Simultaneously, hippocampal neurons are hyperactive, and theta oscillation power is significantly increased during the critical period of memory consolidation upon treatment with JZL195. These results suggest the feasibility of targeting the endocannabinoid system for the treatment of various mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Junmin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Ruiqi Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Wenxin Han
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Yuan Chang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Science, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Lingyang Kong
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Chunling Wei
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Qiaohua Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Xingchao Zhu
- Heze Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heze 274000, China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Wei Ren
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
- Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
| | - Jing Han
- Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Ministry of Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710000, China
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3
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Kruk-Slomka M, Adamski B, Slomka T, Biala G. Inhibitors of Endocannabinoids' Enzymatic Degradation as a Potential Target of the Memory Disturbances in an Acute N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Hypofunction Model of Schizophrenia in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11400. [PMID: 37511157 PMCID: PMC10380236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Treating schizophrenia with the available pharmacotherapy is difficult. One possible strategy is focused on the modulation of the function of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is comprised of cannabinoid (CB) receptors, endocannabinoids and enzymes responsible for the metabolism of endocannabinoids (fatty acid hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL)). Here, the aim of the experiments was to evaluate the impact of inhibitors of endocannabinoids' enzymatic degradation in the brain: KML-29 (MAGL inhibitor), JZL-195 (MAGL/FAAH inhibitor) and PF-3845 (FAAH inhibitor), on the memory disturbances typical for schizophrenia in an acute N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hypofunction animal model of schizophrenia (i.e., injection of MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist). The memory-like responses were assessed in the passive avoidance (PA) test. A single administration of KML-29 or PF-3845 had a positive effect on the memory processes, but an acute administration of JZL-195 impaired cognition in mice in the PA test. Additionally, the combined administration of a PA-ineffective dose of KML-29 (5 mg/kg) or PF-3845 (3 mg/kg) attenuated the MK-801-induced cognitive impairment (0.6 mg/kg). Our results suggest that the indirect regulation of endocannabinoids' concentration in the brain through the use of selected inhibitors may positively affect memory disorders, and thus increase the effectiveness of modern pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kruk-Slomka
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, 4a Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Bartlomiej Adamski
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, 4a Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Slomka
- Department of Medical Informatics and Statistics with E-Health Lab, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 4 Street, 20-954 Lublin, Poland
| | - Grazyna Biala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, 4a Chodzki Street, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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Kondev V, Morgan A, Najeed M, Winters ND, Kingsley PJ, Marnett L, Patel S. The Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Bidirectionally Modulates Acute and Protracted Effects of Predator Odor Exposure. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:739-749. [PMID: 35961791 PMCID: PMC9827751 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress-related disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders, characterized by excess fear and enhanced avoidance of trauma triggers. Elucidating the mechanisms regulating temporally distinct aspects of innate and conditioned fear responses could facilitate novel therapeutic development for stress-related disorders. One potential target that has recently emerged is the endocannabinoid system, which has been reported to mediate the physiological response to stress and represents an important substrate underlying individual differences in stress susceptibility. METHODS Here, we exposed male and female CD-1 mice to an innate predator stressor, 2MT (2-methyl-2-thiazoline), to investigate the ability of endocannabinoid signaling to modulate temporally distinct innate and conditioned fear behaviors. RESULTS We found that 2MT exposure increased amygdala 2-AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol) content and selectively increased excitability in central, but not basolateral, amygdala neurons. We also found that pharmacological 2-AG augmentation during stress exposure exacerbated both acute freezing responses and central amygdala hyperexcitability via cannabinoid receptor type 1- and type 2-dependent mechanisms. Finally, 2-AG augmentation during stress exposure reduced long-term contextual conditioned freezing, and 2-AG augmentation 24 hours after stress exposure reduced conditioned avoidance behavior. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate a bidirectional effect of 2-AG augmentation on innate and conditioned fear behavior, with enhancement of 2-AG levels during stress promoting innate fear responses but ultimately resulting in long-term conditioned fear reduction. These data could reconcile contradictory data on the role of 2-AG in the regulation of innate and conditioned fear-related behavioral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Kondev
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Amanda Morgan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Mustafa Najeed
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Nathan D Winters
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Philip J Kingsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Lawrence Marnett
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sachin Patel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
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Bajaj S, Zameer S, Jain S, Yadav V, Vohora D. Effect of the MAGL/FAAH Dual Inhibitor JZL-195 on Streptozotocin-Induced Alzheimer's Disease-like Sporadic Dementia in Mice with an Emphasis on Aβ, HSP-70, Neuroinflammation, and Oxidative Stress. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:920-932. [PMID: 35316021 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is identified by pathological hallmarks such as intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and extracellular amyloid β plaques. Several hypotheses exist to define the neurodegeneration including microglial activation associated with neuroinflammatory processes. Recently, pharmacological inhibition of endocannabinoid (eCB)-degrading enzymes, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), is being investigated to modulate the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. While MAGL inhibitors upregulate 2-acyl glycerol (2-AG) levels and reduce neuroinflammation, FAAH inhibitors elevate anandamide (AEA) levels and prevent the degradation of HSP-70, thereby preventing the phosphorylation of tau protein and formation of NFTs in neural cells. We investigated the possible neuroprotective potential of the dual MAGL/FAAH inhibitor JZL-195 (20 mg/kg) against ICV-STZ-induced sporadic Alzheimer's disease (SAD) in Swiss albino mice using donepezil (5 mg/kg) as the standard. The protective effects of JZL-195 were observed by the reversal of altered levels of Aβ1-42, HSP-70, neuroinflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress markers. However, JZL-195 expressed no cognitive improvement when assessed by spontaneous alternation behavior and Morris water maze tests and no effects on the AChE enzyme level in the hippocampal tissues of mice. Therefore, the findings of the present study indicate that although JZL-195 exhibited no improvement in cognitive deficits associated with sporadic Alzheimer's disease, it displayed significant reversal of the biochemical anomalies, thereby suggesting its therapeutic potential against the sporadic Alzheimer's disease model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivanshu Bajaj
- Neurobehavioral Pharmacological Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Saima Zameer
- Neurobehavioral Pharmacological Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Shreshta Jain
- Neurobehavioral Pharmacological Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Vaishali Yadav
- Neurobehavioral Pharmacological Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
| | - Divya Vohora
- Neurobehavioral Pharmacological Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India
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Kashyap A, Kumar S, Dutt R. A review on structurally diversified synthesized molecules as monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors and their therapeutic uses. Curr Drug Res Rev 2022; 14:96-115. [PMID: 35232358 DOI: 10.2174/2589977514666220301111457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Monoacylglycerol is a metabolic key serine hydrolase, engaged in the regulation of signalling network system of endocannabinoids, which is associated with various physiological processes like pain, inflammation, feeding cognition and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer, Parkinson's disease. The monoacylglycerol also found to act as a regulator and the free fatty acid provider in the proliferation of cancer cells, numerous aggressive tumours such as colorectal cancer, neuroblastoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It also played an important role in increasing the concentration of specific lipids derived from free fatty acids like phosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidic acid, sphingosine-1-phosphate and prostaglandin E2. These signalling lipids are associated with cell proliferation, survival, tumour cell migration, contributing to tumour development, maturation and metastases. In the present study here, we are presenting a review on structurally diverse MAGL inhibitors, their development and their evaluation for different pharmacological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Kashyap
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department (Ph.D. Scholar), School of Medical and Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, Sohna, India
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department (Ph.D. Scholar), School of Medical and Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, Sohna, India
| | - Rohit Dutt
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, GD Goenka University, Sohna, India
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7
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Papa A, Pasquini S, Contri C, Gemma S, Campiani G, Butini S, Varani K, Vincenzi F. Polypharmacological Approaches for CNS Diseases: Focus on Endocannabinoid Degradation Inhibition. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030471. [PMID: 35159280 PMCID: PMC8834510 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Polypharmacology breaks up the classical paradigm of “one-drug, one target, one disease” electing multitarget compounds as potential therapeutic tools suitable for the treatment of complex diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, psychiatric or degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorders, and cancer. These diseases often require a combination therapy which may result in positive but also negative synergistic effects. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is emerging as a particularly attractive therapeutic target in CNS disorders and neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Huntington’s disease (HD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), pain, and epilepsy. ECS is an organized neuromodulatory network, composed by endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors type 1 and type 2 (CB1 and CB2), and the main catabolic enzymes involved in the endocannabinoid inactivation such as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). The multiple connections of the ECS with other signaling pathways in the CNS allows the consideration of the ECS as an optimal source of inspiration in the development of innovative polypharmacological compounds. In this review, we focused our attention on the reported polypharmacological examples in which FAAH and MAGL inhibitors are involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Papa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
| | - Silvia Pasquini
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Chiara Contri
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, DoE Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.P.); (S.G.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0577-234161
| | - Katia Varani
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
| | - Fabrizio Vincenzi
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 17-19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (S.P.); (C.C.); (K.V.); (F.V.)
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Greco R, Demartini C, Francavilla M, Zanaboni AM, Tassorelli C. Dual Inhibition of FAAH and MAGL Counteracts Migraine-like Pain and Behavior in an Animal Model of Migraine. Cells 2021; 10:2543. [PMID: 34685523 PMCID: PMC8534238 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system exerts an important role in pain processing and modulation. Modulation of the system with hydrolase inhibitors of anandamide (AEA) or 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-AG) has proved effective in reducing migraine-like features in animal models of migraine. Here, we investigated the effect of dual inhibition of the AEA and 2-AG catabolic pathways in the nitroglycerin-based animal model of migraine. The dual inhibitor JZL195 was administered to rats 2 h after nitroglycerin or vehicle injection. Rats were then exposed to the open field test and the orofacial formalin test. At the end of the tests, they were sacrificed to evaluate calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) serum levels and gene expression of CGRP and cytokines in the cervical spinal cord and the trigeminal ganglion. The dual inhibitor significantly reduced the nitroglycerin-induced trigeminal hyperalgesia and pain-associated behavior, possibly via cannabinoid 1 receptors-mediated action, but it did not change the hypomotility and the anxiety behaviors induced by nitroglycerin. The decreased hyperalgesia was associated with a reduction in CGRP and cytokine gene expression levels in central and peripheral structures and reduced CGRP serum levels. These data suggest an antinociceptive synergy of the endocannabinoid action in peripheral and central sites, confirming that this system participates in reduction of cephalic pain signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Greco
- Unit of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (C.T.)
| | - Chiara Demartini
- Unit of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (C.T.)
| | - Miriam Francavilla
- Unit of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (C.T.)
| | - Anna Maria Zanaboni
- Unit of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (C.T.)
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, via Bassi 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Tassorelli
- Unit of Translational Neurovascular Research, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, via Mondino 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (C.D.); (M.F.); (A.M.Z.); (C.T.)
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, via Bassi 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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9
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Bajaj S, Jain S, Vyas P, Bawa S, Vohora D. The role of endocannabinoid pathway in the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease: Can the inhibitors of MAGL and FAAH prove to be potential therapeutic targets against the cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease? Brain Res Bull 2021; 174:305-322. [PMID: 34217798 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive decline of cognitive function in combination with neuronal death. Current approved treatment target single dysregulated pathway instead of multiple mechanism, resulting in lack of efficacy in slowing down disease progression. The proclivity of endocannabinoid system to exert neuroprotective action and mitigate symptoms of neurodegeneration condition has received substantial interest. Growing evidence suggest the endocannabinoids (eCB) system, viz. anadamide (AEA) and arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), as potential therapeutic targets with the ability to modify Alzheimer's pathology by targeting the inflammatory, neurodegenerative and cognitive aspects of the disease. In order to modulate endocannabinoid system, number of agents have been reported amongst which are inhibitors of the monoacylglycerol (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzymes that hydrolyses 2-AG and AEA respectively. However, little is known regarding the exact mechanistic signalling and their effects on pathophysiology and cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease. Both MAGL and FAAH inhibitors possess fascinating properties that may offer a multi-faceted approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease such as potential to protect neurons from deleterious effect of amyloid-β, reducing phosphorylation of tau, reducing amyloid-β induced oxidative stress, stimulating neurotrophin to support brain intrinsic repair mechanism etc. Based on empirical evidence, MAGL and FAAH inhibitors might have potential for therapeutic efficacy against cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this review is to summarize the experimental studies demonstrating the polyvalent properties of MAGL or FAAH inhibitor compounds for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and also effect of these on learning and types of memories, which together encourage to study these compounds over other therapeutics targets. Further research in this direction would enhance the molecular mechanisms and development of applicable interventions for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, which nevertheless stay as the primary unmet need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivanshu Bajaj
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Shreshta Jain
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Preeti Vyas
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Sandhya Bawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Divya Vohora
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
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10
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Inhibitory neurotransmission drives endocannabinoid degradation to promote memory consolidation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6407. [PMID: 33335094 PMCID: PMC7747732 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20121-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids retrogradely regulate synaptic transmission and their abundance is controlled by the fine balance between endocannabinoid synthesis and degradation. While the common assumption is that “on-demand” release determines endocannabinoid signaling, their rapid degradation is expected to control the temporal profile of endocannabinoid action and may impact neuronal signaling. Here we show that memory formation through fear conditioning selectively accelerates the degradation of endocannabinoids in the cerebellum. Learning induced a lasting increase in GABA release and this was responsible for driving the change in endocannabinoid degradation. Conversely, Gq-DREADD activation of cerebellar Purkinje cells enhanced endocannabinoid signaling and impaired memory consolidation. Our findings identify a previously unappreciated reciprocal interaction between GABA and the endocannabinoid system in which GABA signaling accelerates endocannabinoid degradation, and triggers a form of learning-induced metaplasticity. Endocannabinoid levels are controlled by the fine balance between their synthesis and degradation. Here, the authors show that memory formation through fear conditioning selectively accelerates the degradation of endocannabinoids in the cerebellum via a lasting increase in GABA release.
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11
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Muldoon PP, Akinola LS, Schlosburg JE, Lichtman AH, Sim-Selley LJ, Mahadevan A, Cravatt BF, Damaj MI. Inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase reduces nicotine reward in the conditioned place preference test in male mice. Neuropharmacology 2020; 176:108170. [PMID: 32479813 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine, the primary psychoactive component in tobacco, plays a major role in the initiation and maintenance of tobacco dependence and addiction, a leading cause of preventable death worldwide. An essential need thus exists for more effective pharmacotherapies for nicotine-use cessation. Previous reports suggest that pharmacological and genetic blockade of CB1 receptors attenuate nicotine reinforcement and reward; while exogenous agonists enhanced these abuse-related behaviors. In this study, we utilized complementary genetic and pharmacologic approaches to test the hypothesis that increasing the levels of the endocannabinoid 2-arachindonoylglycerol (2-AG), will enhance nicotine reward by stimulating neuronal CB1 receptors. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found that inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the primary catabolic enzyme of 2-AG, attenuates nicotine conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice, through a non-CB1 receptor-mediated mechanism. MAGL inhibition did not alter palatable food reward or Lithium Chloride (LiCl) aversion. In support of our findings, repeated MAGL inhibition did not induce a reduction in CB1 brain receptor levels or hinder function. To explore the potential mechanism of action, we investigated if MAGL inhibition affected other fatty acid levels in our CPP paradigm. Indeed, MAGL inhibition caused a concomitant decrease in arachidonic acid (AA) levels in various brain regions of interest, suggesting an AA cascade-dependent mechanism. This idea is supported by dose-dependent attenuation of nicotine preference by the selective COX-2 inhibitors valdecoxib and LM-4131. Collectively, these findings, along with our reported studies on nicotine withdrawal, suggest that inhibition of MAGL represents a promising new target for the development of pharmacotherapies to treat nicotine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pretal P Muldoon
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Lois S Akinola
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Joel E Schlosburg
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Laura J Sim-Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemistry, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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12
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Butler K, Le Foll B. Novel therapeutic and drug development strategies for tobacco use disorder: endocannabinoid modulation. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:1065-1080. [DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1767581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Butler
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Acute Care Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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13
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Ross JA, Van Bockstaele EJ. The role of catecholamines in modulating responses to stress: Sex-specific patterns, implications, and therapeutic potential for post-traumatic stress disorder and opiate withdrawal. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:2429-2465. [PMID: 32125035 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Emotional arousal is one of several factors that determine the strength of a memory and how efficiently it may be retrieved. The systems at play are multifaceted; on one hand, the dopaminergic mesocorticolimbic system evaluates the rewarding or reinforcing potential of a stimulus, while on the other, the noradrenergic stress response system evaluates the risk of threat, commanding attention, and engaging emotional and physical behavioral responses. Sex-specific patterns in the anatomy and function of the arousal system suggest that sexually divergent therapeutic approaches may be advantageous for neurological disorders involving arousal, learning, and memory. From the lens of the triple network model of psychopathology, we argue that post-traumatic stress disorder and opiate substance use disorder arise from maladaptive learning responses that are perpetuated by hyperarousal of the salience network. We present evidence that catecholamine-modulated learning and stress-responsive circuitry exerts substantial influence over the salience network and its dysfunction in stress-related psychiatric disorders, and between the sexes. We discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting the endogenous cannabinoid system; a ubiquitous neuromodulator that influences learning, memory, and responsivity to stress by influencing catecholamine, excitatory, and inhibitory synaptic transmission. Relevant preclinical data in male and female rodents are integrated with clinical data in men and women in an effort to understand how ideal treatment modalities between the sexes may be different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Ross
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elisabeth J Van Bockstaele
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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14
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Alarcon TA, Areal LB, Herlinger AL, Paiva KK, Cicilini MA, Martins-Silva C, Pires RGW. The cannabinoid agonist WIN-2 affects acquisition but not consolidation of a spatial information in training and retraining processes: Relation with transcriptional regulation of the endocannabinoid system? Behav Brain Res 2020; 377:112231. [PMID: 31526770 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is capable of modulating multiple physiological brain functions including learning and memory. Moreover, there is evidence that the processes of acquisition and consolidation have distinct biological basis. We used the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN-2) to investigate whether chronic CB1 activation affects acquisition and consolidation differently by evaluating gene expression in the hippocampus (HIP) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Swiss mice were treated with WIN-2 (2 mg/kg) and submitted to the Morris water maze to evaluate different aspects of memory. We observed short-term memory impairment in acquisition of the spatial task while consolidation remained unchanged. In the PFC, animals that received WIN-2 prior to the task exhibited increased expression of the 2-AG synthesis enzyme diacylglycerol lipase and decreased levels of the degradation enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase, while mice that were treated after the task for the evaluation of consolidation exhibited the opposite profile. With respect to genes related to AEA metabolism, no correlation between the molecular and behavioral data could be established. In this sense, the cognitive impairment in the acquisition promoted by WIN-2 treatment may be related to a possible increase in the concentration of 2-AG in the PFC. Overall, this study confirms the relevance of the endocannabinoid system in the modulation of cognitive processes. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying endocannabinoids roles in cognition could provide guidance for the development of treatments to reduce the cognitive deficits caused by drug abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Alarcon
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil
| | - L B Areal
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil
| | - A L Herlinger
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil
| | - K K Paiva
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil
| | - M A Cicilini
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil
| | - C Martins-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Department of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil
| | - R G W Pires
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil; Department of Physiological Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitoria-ES, Brazil.
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15
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Bedse G, Centanni SW, Winder DG, Patel S. Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Central Amygdala and Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis: Implications for the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2019; 43:2014-2027. [PMID: 31373708 PMCID: PMC6779484 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
High rates of relapse are a chronic and debilitating obstacle to effective treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD); however, no effective treatments are available to treat symptoms induced by protracted abstinence. In the first part of this 2-part review series, we examine the literature supporting the effects of alcohol exposure within the extended amygdala (EA) neural circuitry. In Part 2, we focus on a potential way to combat negative affect associated with AUD, by exploring the therapeutic potential of the endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) system. The eCB system is a potent modulator of neural activity in the brain, and its ability to mitigate stress and negative affect has long been an area of interest for developing novel therapeutics. This review details the recent advances in our understanding of eCB signaling in 2 key regions of the EA, the central nucleus of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), and their role in regulating negative affect. Despite an established role for EA eCB signaling in reducing negative affect, few studies have examined the potential for eCB-based therapies to treat AUD-associated negative affect. In this review, we present an overview of studies focusing on eCB signaling in EA and cannabinoid modulation on EA synaptic activity. We further discuss studies suggesting dysregulation of eCB signaling in models of AUD and propose that pharmacological augmentation of eCB could be a novel approach to treat aspects of AUD. Lastly, future directions are proposed to advance our understanding of the relationship between AUD-associated negative affect and the EA eCB system that could yield new pharmacotherapies targeting negative affective symptoms associated with AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Bedse
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Samuel W. Centanni
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, the, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Danny G. Winder
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, the, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, TN, USA
- Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, the, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt J.F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, Nashville, TN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nashville, TN, USA
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16
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Wu MM, Zhang X, Asher MJ, Thayer SA. Druggable targets of the endocannabinoid system: Implications for the treatment of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder. Brain Res 2019; 1724:146467. [PMID: 31539547 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2019.146467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) affects nearly half of all HIV-infected individuals. Synaptodendritic damage correlates with neurocognitive decline in HAND, and many studies have demonstrated that HIV-induced neuronal injury results from excitotoxic and inflammatory mechanisms. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system provides on-demand protection against excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation. Here, we discuss evidence of the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of the eCB system from in vitro and in vivo studies. We examine the pharmacology of the eCB system and evaluate the therapeutic potential of drugs that modulate eCB signaling to treat HAND. Finally, we provide perspective on the need for additional studies to clarify the role of the eCB system in HIV neurotoxicity and speculate that strategies that enhance eCB signaling might slow cognitive decline in HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah M Wu
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Xinwen Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Melissa J Asher
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Stanley A Thayer
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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17
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Jouroukhin Y, Zhu X, Shevelkin AV, Hasegawa Y, Abazyan B, Saito A, Pevsner J, Kamiya A, Pletnikov MV. Adolescent Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure and Astrocyte-Specific Genetic Vulnerability Converge on Nuclear Factor-κB-Cyclooxygenase-2 Signaling to Impair Memory in Adulthood. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 85:891-903. [PMID: 30219209 PMCID: PMC6525084 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although several studies have linked adolescent cannabis use to long-term cognitive dysfunction, there are negative reports as well. The fact that not all users develop cognitive impairment suggests a genetic vulnerability to adverse effects of cannabis, which are attributed to action of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), a cannabis constituent and partial agonist of brain cannabinoid receptor 1. As both neurons and glial cells express cannabinoid receptor 1, genetic vulnerability could influence Δ9-THC-induced signaling in a cell type-specific manner. METHODS Here we use an animal model of inducible expression of dominant-negative disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DN-DISC1) selectively in astrocytes to evaluate the molecular mechanisms, whereby an astrocyte genetic vulnerability could interact with adolescent Δ9-THC exposure to impair recognition memory in adulthood. RESULTS Selective expression of DN-DISC1 in astrocytes and adolescent treatment with Δ9-THC synergistically affected recognition memory in adult mice. Similar deficits in recognition memory were observed following knockdown of endogenous Disc1 in hippocampal astrocytes in mice treated with Δ9-THC during adolescence. At the molecular level, DN-DISC1 and Δ9-THC synergistically activated the nuclear factor-κB-cyclooxygenase-2 pathway in astrocytes and decreased immunoreactivity of parvalbumin-positive presynaptic inhibitory boutons around pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA3 area. The cognitive abnormalities were prevented in DN-DISC1 mice exposed to Δ9-THC by simultaneous adolescent treatment with the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, NS398. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that individual vulnerability to cannabis can be exclusively mediated by astrocytes. Results of this work suggest that genetic predisposition within astrocytes can exaggerate Δ9-THC-produced cognitive impairments via convergent inflammatory signaling, suggesting possible targets for preventing adverse effects of cannabis within susceptible individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jouroukhin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xiaolei Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alexey V Shevelkin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Yuto Hasegawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Bagrat Abazyan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Atsushi Saito
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jonathan Pevsner
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Atsushi Kamiya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
| | - Mikhail V Pletnikov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
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18
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Loprinzi PD, Zou L, Li H. The Endocannabinoid System as a Potential Mechanism through which Exercise Influences Episodic Memory Function. Brain Sci 2019; 9:E112. [PMID: 31100856 PMCID: PMC6562547 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9050112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging research demonstrates that exercise, including both acute and chronic exercise, may influence episodic memory function. To date, mechanistic explanations of this effect are often attributed to alterations in long-term potentiation, neurotrophic production, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis. Herein, we discuss a complementary mechanistic model, suggesting that the endocannabinoid system may, in part, influence the effects of exercise on memory function. We discuss the role of the endocannabinoid system on memory function as well as the effects of exercise on endocannabinoid alterations. This is an exciting line of inquiry that should help delineate new insights into the mechanistic role of exercise on memory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Loprinzi
- Exercise & Memory Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, The University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS 38677, USA.
| | - Liye Zou
- Lifestyle (Mind-Body Movement) Research Center, College of Psychology and Sociology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Hong Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Cognitive Science, College of Psychology and Sociology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
- Research Centre of Brain Function and Psychological Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
- Shenzhen Institute of Neuroscience, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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19
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Kruk-Slomka M, Banaszkiewicz I, Slomka T, Biala G. Effects of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Inhibitors Acute Administration on the Positive and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia in Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:7251-7266. [PMID: 31004320 PMCID: PMC6815283 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1596-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The connection between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and schizophrenia is supported by a large body of research. The ECS is composed of two types cannabinoid (CB: CB1 and CB2) receptors and their endogenous ligands, endocannabinoids. The best-known endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), are intracellularly degraded by fatty acid hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), respectively. Thus, the function of ECS might be modulated in a direct way, through CB receptor ligands or indirectly by FAAH and MAGL inhibitors. We evaluated that the direct influence of ECS, using FAAH (URB 597) and MAGL (JZL 184) inhibitors, on the schizophrenia-like effects in mice. The behavioral schizophrenia-like symptoms were obtained in animals by using N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, MK-801. An acute administration of MK-801 (0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg) induced psychotic symptoms in rodents, manifested as the increase in locomotor activity, measured in actimeters, as well as the memory impairment, assessed in the passive avoidance (PA) task. We revealed that an acute administration of URB 597, at the dose of 0.3 mg/kg, attenuated MK-801 (0.6 mg/kg)-induced memory impairment. In turn, an acute administration of URB 597 at a higher dose (1 mg/kg) potentiated MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg)-induced memory impairment. Similarly, an acute administration of JZL 184 (20 and 40 mg/kg) intensified an amnestic effect of MK-801 (0.3 mg/kg). Moreover, an acute injection of JZL 184 (1 mg/kg) potentiated hyperlocomotion is provoked by MK-801 (0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg) administration. The present findings clearly indicate that ECS, through an indirect manner, modulates a variety of schizophrenia-like responses in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kruk-Slomka
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland.
| | - Izabela Banaszkiewicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Slomka
- Department of Mathematics and Medical Biostatistics, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 4 Street, 20-954, Lublin, Poland
| | - Grazyna Biala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4a Street, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
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20
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Laurikainen H, Tuominen L, Tikka M, Merisaari H, Armio RL, Sormunen E, Borgan F, Veronese M, Howes O, Haaparanta-Solin M, Solin O, Hietala J. Sex difference in brain CB1 receptor availability in man. Neuroimage 2018; 184:834-842. [PMID: 30296558 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a widespread neuromodulatory function in the central nervous system and is involved in important aspects of brain function including brain development, cortical rhythms, plasticity, reward, and stress sensitivity. Many of these effects are mediated via the cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) subtype. Animal studies convincingly show an interaction between the ECS and sex hormones, as well as a sex difference of higher brain CB1R in males. Human in vivo studies of sex difference have yielded discrepant findings. Gender differences in CB1R availability were investigated in vivo in 11 male and 11 female healthy volunteers using a specific CB1R tracer [18F]FMPEP-d2 and positron emission tomography (PET). Regional [18F]FMPEP-d2 distribution volume was used as a proxy for CB1R availability. In addition, we explored whether CB1R availability is linked to neuropsychological functioning. Relative to females, CB1R availability was on average 41% higher in males (p = 0.002) with a regionally specific effect larger in the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortices (p = 0.001). Inter-subject variability in CB1R availability was similar in both groups. Voxel-based analyses revealed an inverse association between CB1R availability and visuospatial working memory task performance in both groups (p < 0.001). A CB1R sex difference with a large effect size was observed and should be considered in the design of CB1R-related studies on neuropsychiatric disorders. The behavioural correlates and clinical significance of this difference remain to be further elucidated, but our studies suggest an association between CB1R availability and working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heikki Laurikainen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Lauri Tuominen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland; Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria Tikka
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | | | - Reetta-Liina Armio
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Elina Sormunen
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Faith Borgan
- Psychosis Studies Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Mattia Veronese
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Oliver Howes
- Psychosis Studies Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | | | - Olof Solin
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Jarmo Hietala
- Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland.
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21
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Selective effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on medium spiny neurons in the striatum. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200950. [PMID: 30048477 PMCID: PMC6062058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Derivatives from the Cannabis plant are the most commonly abused illegal substances in the world. The main psychoactive component found in the plant, Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), exerts its effects through the endocannabinoid system. Manipulations of this system affect some types of learning that seem to be dependent on dorsal striatum synaptic plasticity. Dendritic spines exhibit important synaptic functional attributes and a potential for plasticity, which is thought to mediate long-lasting changes in behaviour. To study the possible structural plasticity changes that prolonged THC administration might exert in the dorsal striatum, adult, male C57BL6/J mice were intraperitoneally injected with THC (10mg/kg) or vehicle for 15 days followed by a 7-day drug-free period. Using single cell intracellular injections of Lucifer Yellow, confocal microscopy, and 3D reconstruction of labelled neurons, we studied dendritic spine density and spine size in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the anterior dorsolateral striatum (aDLS) and posterior dorsomedial striatum (pDMS). We found that the THC treatment increased dendritic spine density in the distal part of the dendrites of MSNs in the pDMS, but no changes were found in the rest of the parameters analysed in either region studied. We also observed that dendritic spines of MSNs of pDMS presented lower volume and surface area values than MSNs of the aDLS. These results seem to indicate that THC could induce structural plasticity alterations in the circuits involving pDMS MSNs.
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Bedse G, Bluett RJ, Patrick TA, Romness NK, Gaulden AD, Kingsley PJ, Plath N, Marnett LJ, Patel S. Therapeutic endocannabinoid augmentation for mood and anxiety disorders: comparative profiling of FAAH, MAGL and dual inhibitors. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:92. [PMID: 29695817 PMCID: PMC5917016 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0141-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 12/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated anxiolytic potential of pharmacological endocannabinoid (eCB) augmentation approaches in a variety of preclinical models. Pharmacological inhibition of endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes, such as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), elicit promising anxiolytic effects in rodent models with limited adverse behavioral effects, however, the efficacy of dual FAAH/MAGL inhibition has not been investigated. In the present study, we compared the effects of FAAH (PF-3845), MAGL (JZL184) and dual FAAH/MAGL (JZL195) inhibitors on (1) anxiety-like behaviors under non-stressed and stressed conditions, (2) locomotor activity and body temperature, (3) lipid levels in the brain and (4) cognitive functions. Behavioral analysis showed that PF-3845 or JZL184, but not JZL195, was able to prevent restraint stress-induced anxiety in the light-dark box assay when administered before stress exposure. Moreover, JZL195 treatment was not able to reverse foot shock-induced anxiety-like behavior in the elevated zero maze or light-dark box. JZL195, but not PF-3845 or JZL184, decreased body temperature and increased anxiety-like behavior in the open-field test. Overall, JZL195 did not show anxiolytic efficacy and the effects of JZL184 were more robust than that of PF-3845 in the models examined. These results showed that increasing either endogenous AEA or 2-AG separately produces anti-anxiety effects under stressful conditions but the same effects are not obtained from simultaneously increasing both AEA and 2-AG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Bedse
- 0000 0004 1936 9916grid.412807.8Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Rebecca J. Bluett
- 0000 0004 1936 9916grid.412807.8Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,0000 0001 2264 7217grid.152326.1Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Toni A. Patrick
- 0000 0004 1936 9916grid.412807.8Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Nicole K. Romness
- 0000 0004 1936 9916grid.412807.8Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Andrew D. Gaulden
- 0000 0004 1936 9916grid.412807.8Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Philip J. Kingsley
- 0000 0001 2264 7217grid.152326.1Departments of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Pharmacology, A.B. Hancock Jr. Memorial Laboratory for Cancer Research, Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Niels Plath
- 0000 0004 0476 7612grid.424580.fH. Lundbeck A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lawrence J. Marnett
- 0000 0001 2264 7217grid.152326.1Departments of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Pharmacology, A.B. Hancock Jr. Memorial Laboratory for Cancer Research, Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Sachin Patel
- 0000 0004 1936 9916grid.412807.8Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,0000 0001 2264 7217grid.152326.1Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA ,0000 0001 2264 7217grid.152326.1Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN USA
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Ranganathan M, Radhakrishnan R, Addy PH, Schnakenberg-Martin AM, Williams AH, Carbuto M, Elander J, Pittman B, Andrew Sewell R, Skosnik PD, D'Souza DC. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) impairs encoding but not retrieval of verbal information. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017. [PMID: 28642081 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cannabis and agonists of the brain cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) produce acute memory impairments in humans. However, the extent to which cannabinoids impair the component processes of encoding and retrieval has not been established in humans. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether the administration of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, impairs encoding and/or retrieval of verbal information. MATERIALS AND METHODS Healthy subjects were recruited from the community. Subjects were administered the Rey-Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) either before administration of THC (experiment #1) (n=38) or while under the influence of THC (experiment #2) (n=57). Immediate and delayed recall on the RAVLT was compared. Subjects received intravenous THC, in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized manner at doses known to produce behavioral and subjective effects consistent with cannabis intoxication. RESULTS Total immediate recall, short delayed recall, and long delayed recall were reduced in a statistically significant manner only when the RAVLT was administered to subjects while they were under the influence of THC (experiment #2) and not when the RAVLT was administered prior. CONCLUSIONS THC acutely interferes with encoding of verbal memory without interfering with retrieval. These data suggest that learning information prior to the use of cannabis or cannabinoids is not likely to disrupt recall of that information. Future studies will be necessary to determine whether THC impairs encoding of non-verbal information, to what extent THC impairs memory consolidation, and the role of other cannabinoids in the memory-impairing effects of cannabis. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION Cannabinoids, Neural Synchrony, and Information Processing (THC-Gamma) http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT00708994 NCT00708994 Pharmacogenetics of Cannabinoid Response http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00678730 NCT00678730.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohini Ranganathan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Rajiv Radhakrishnan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Peter H Addy
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Medical Informatics, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Substance Abuse Treatment Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashley M Schnakenberg-Martin
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashley H Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michelle Carbuto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jacqueline Elander
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brian Pittman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - R Andrew Sewell
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Patrick D Skosnik
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Deepak Cyril D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Psychiatry Service, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA; Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
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Clarke DJ, Stuart J, McGregor IS, Arnold JC. Endocannabinoid dysregulation in cognitive and stress-related brain regions in the Nrg1 mouse model of schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017; 72:9-15. [PMID: 27521758 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is dysregulated in schizophrenia. Mice with heterozygous deletion of neuregulin 1 (Nrg1 HET mice) provide a well-characterised animal model of schizophrenia, and display enhanced sensitivity to stress and cannabinoids during adolescence. However, no study has yet determined whether these mice have altered brain endocannabinoid concentrations. Nrg1 application to hippocampal slices decreased 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) signalling and disrupted long-term depression, a form of synaptic plasticity critical to spatial learning. Therefore we specifically aimed to examine whether Nrg1 HET mice exhibit increased 2-AG concentrations and disruption of spatial learning. As chronic stress influences brain endocannabinoids, we also sought to examine whether Nrg1 deficiency moderates adolescent stress-induced alterations in brain endocannabinoids. Adolescent Nrg1 HET and wild-type (WT) mice were submitted to chronic restraint stress and brain endocannabinoid concentrations were analysed. A separate cohort of WT and Nrg1 HET mice was also assessed for spatial learning performance in the Morris Water Maze. Partial genetic deletion of Nrg1 increased anandamide concentrations in the amygdala and decreased 2-AG concentrations in the hypothalamus. Further, Nrg1 HET mice exhibited increased 2-AG concentrations in the hippocampus and impaired spatial learning performance. Chronic adolescent stress increased anandamide concentrations in the amygdala, however, Nrg1 disruption did not influence this stress-induced change. These results demonstrate for the first time in vivo interplay between Nrg1 and endocannabinoids in the brain. Our results demonstrate that aberrant Nrg1 and endocannabinoid signalling may cooperate in the hippocampus to impair cognition, and that Nrg1 deficiency alters endocannabinoid signalling in brain stress circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Clarke
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jordyn Stuart
- Lambert Initiative of Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Iain S McGregor
- Lambert Initiative of Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jonathon C Arnold
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Lambert Initiative of Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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Endocannabinoid System: the Direct and Indirect Involvement in the Memory and Learning Processes-a Short Review. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:8332-8347. [PMID: 27924524 PMCID: PMC5684264 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-0313-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system via cannabinoid (CB: CB1 and CB2) receptors and their endogenous ligands is directly and indirectly involved in many physiological functions, especially in memory and learning processes. Extensive studies reported that this system strictly modulates cognition-related processes evaluated in various animal models. However, the effects of cannabinoids on the cognition have been contradictory. The cannabinoid compounds were able to both impair or improve different phases of memory processes through direct (receptor related) or indirect (non-receptor related) mechanism. The memory-related effects induced by the cannabinoids can be depended on the kind of cannabinoid compound used, dosage, and route of administration as well as on the memory task chosen. Therefore, the objectives of this paper are to review and summarize the results describing the role of endocannabinoid system in cognition, including various stages of memory.
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Karhson DS, Hardan AY, Parker KJ. Endocannabinoid signaling in social functioning: an RDoC perspective. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e905. [PMID: 27676446 PMCID: PMC5048207 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Core deficits in social functioning are associated with various neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders, yet biomarker identification and the development of effective pharmacological interventions has been limited. Recent data suggest the intriguing possibility that endogenous cannabinoids, a class of lipid neuromodulators generally implicated in the regulation of neurotransmitter release, may contribute to species-typical social functioning. Systematic study of the endogenous cannabinoid signaling could, therefore, yield novel approaches to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of atypical social functioning. This article provides a critical review of the major components of the endogenous cannabinoid system (for example, primary receptors and effectors-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) and the contributions of cannabinoid signaling to social functioning. Data are evaluated in the context of Research Domain Criteria constructs (for example, anxiety, chronic stress, reward learning, motivation, declarative and working memory, affiliation and attachment, and social communication) to enable interrogation of endogenous cannabinoid signaling in social functioning across diagnostic categories. The empirical evidence reviewed strongly supports the role for dysregulated cannabinoid signaling in the pathophysiology of social functioning deficits observed in brain disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder. Moreover, these findings indicate that the endogenous cannabinoid system holds exceptional promise as a biological marker of, and potential treatment target for, neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in social functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Karhson
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - A Y Hardan
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - K J Parker
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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27
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Owens RA, Ignatowska-Jankowska B, Mustafa M, Beardsley PM, Wiley JL, Jali A, Selley DE, Niphakis MJ, Cravatt BF, Lichtman AH. Discriminative Stimulus Properties of the Endocannabinoid Catabolic Enzyme Inhibitor SA-57 in Mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2016; 358:306-14. [PMID: 27307500 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.115.229492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Whereas the inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) or monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the respective major hydrolytic enzymes of N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), elicits no or partial substitution for Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in drug-discrimination procedures, combined inhibition of both enzymes fully substitutes for THC, as well as produces a constellation of cannabimimetic effects. The present study tested whether C57BL/6J mice would learn to discriminate the dual FAAH-MAGL inhibitor SA-57 (4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl ester) from vehicle in the drug-discrimination paradigm. In initial experiments, 10 mg/kg SA-57 fully substituted for CP55,940 ((-)-cis-3-[2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl]-trans-4-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexanol), a high-efficacy CB1 receptor agonist in C57BL/6J mice and for AEA in FAAH (-/-) mice. Most (i.e., 23 of 24) subjects achieved criteria for discriminating SA-57 (10 mg/kg) from vehicle within 40 sessions, with full generalization occurring 1 to 2 hours postinjection. CP55,940, the dual FAAH-MAGL inhibitor JZL195 (4-nitrophenyl 4-(3-phenoxybenzyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate), and the MAGL inhibitors MJN110 (2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl 4-(bis(4-chlorophenyl)methyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate) and JZL184 (4-[Bis(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)hydroxymethyl]-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 4-nitrophenyl ester) fully substituted for SA-57. Although the FAAH inhibitors PF-3845 ((N-3-pyridinyl-4-[[3-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]oxy]phenyl]methyl]-1-piperidinecarboxamide) and URB597 (cyclohexylcarbamic acid 3'-(aminocarbonyl)-[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl ester) did not substitute for SA-57, PF-3845 produced a 2-fold leftward shift in the MJN110 substitution dose-response curve. In addition, the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant blocked the generalization of SA-57, as well as substitution of CP55,940, JZL195, MJN110, and JZL184. These findings suggest that MAGL inhibition plays a major role in the CB1 receptor-mediated SA-57 training dose, which is further augmented by FAAH inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Owens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (R.A.O., B.I.J., M.M., P.M.B., A.J., D.E.S., A.H.L.); RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N.; B.F.C.)
| | - Bogna Ignatowska-Jankowska
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (R.A.O., B.I.J., M.M., P.M.B., A.J., D.E.S., A.H.L.); RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N.; B.F.C.)
| | - Mohammed Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (R.A.O., B.I.J., M.M., P.M.B., A.J., D.E.S., A.H.L.); RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N.; B.F.C.)
| | - Patrick M Beardsley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (R.A.O., B.I.J., M.M., P.M.B., A.J., D.E.S., A.H.L.); RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N.; B.F.C.)
| | - Jenny L Wiley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (R.A.O., B.I.J., M.M., P.M.B., A.J., D.E.S., A.H.L.); RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N.; B.F.C.)
| | - Abdulmajeed Jali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (R.A.O., B.I.J., M.M., P.M.B., A.J., D.E.S., A.H.L.); RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N.; B.F.C.)
| | - Dana E Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (R.A.O., B.I.J., M.M., P.M.B., A.J., D.E.S., A.H.L.); RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N.; B.F.C.)
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (R.A.O., B.I.J., M.M., P.M.B., A.J., D.E.S., A.H.L.); RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N.; B.F.C.)
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (R.A.O., B.I.J., M.M., P.M.B., A.J., D.E.S., A.H.L.); RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N.; B.F.C.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (R.A.O., B.I.J., M.M., P.M.B., A.J., D.E.S., A.H.L.); RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N.; B.F.C.)
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Panlilio LV, Thorndike EB, Nikas SP, Alapafuja SO, Bandiera T, Cravatt BF, Makriyannis A, Piomelli D, Goldberg SR, Justinova Z. Effects of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors on working memory in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:1879-88. [PMID: 26558620 PMCID: PMC4846548 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4140-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Manipulations of the endocannabinoid system could potentially produce therapeutic effects with minimal risk of adverse cannabis-like side effects. Inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) increase endogenous levels of the cannabinoid-receptor agonist, anandamide, and show promise for treating a wide range of disorders. However, their effects on learning and memory have not been fully characterized. OBJECTIVES We determined the effects of five structurally different FAAH inhibitors in an animal model of working memory known to be sensitive to impairment by delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). METHODS A delayed nonmatching-to-position procedure was used in rats. Illuminated nosepoke holes were used to provide sample cues (left versus right) and record responses (correct versus incorrect) after delays ranging from 0 to 28 s. Various test drugs were given acutely up to two times per week before daily sessions. RESULTS One FAAH inhibitor, AM3506 (3 mg/kg), decreased accuracy in the memory task. Four other FAAH inhibitors (URB597, URB694, PF-04457845, and ARN14633) and a monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor (JZL184, which blocks the degradation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol) had no effect. Testing of AM3506 in combination with antagonists for receptors known to be affected by anandamide and other fatty acid amides indicated that the impairment induced by AM3506 was mediated by cannabinoid CB1 receptors, and not by alpha-type peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR-alpha) or vanilloid transient receptor potential cation channels (TRPV1). CONCLUSIONS FAAH inhibitors differ with respect to their potential for memory impairment, abuse liability, and probably other cannabis-like effects, and they should be evaluated individually for specific therapeutic and adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh V. Panlilio
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Eric B. Thorndike
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Spyros P. Nikas
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Tiziano Bandiera
- Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Benjamin F. Cravatt
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA; Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Drug Discovery and Development, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Steven R. Goldberg
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Zuzana Justinova
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
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Kruk-Slomka M, Biala G. CB1 receptors in the formation of the different phases of memory-related processes in the inhibitory avoidance test in mice. Behav Brain Res 2016; 301:84-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Correlations between the Memory-Related Behavior and the Level of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in the Mice Brain, Provoked by an Acute Administration of CB Receptor Ligands. Neural Plast 2015; 2016:9815092. [PMID: 26839719 PMCID: PMC4709727 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9815092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 09/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system, through cannabinoid (CB) receptors, is involved in memory-related responses, as well as in processes that may affect cognition, like oxidative stress processes. The purpose of the experiments was to investigate the impact of CB1 and CB2 receptor ligands on the long-term memory stages in male Swiss mice, using the passive avoidance (PA) test, as well as the influence of these compounds on the level of oxidative stress biomarkers in the mice brain. A single injection of a selective CB1 receptor antagonist, AM 251, improved long-term memory acquisition and consolidation in the PA test in mice, while a mixed CB1/CB2 receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 impaired both stages of cognition. Additionally, JWH 133, a selective CB2 receptor agonist, and AM 630, a competitive CB2 receptor antagonist, significantly improved memory. Additionally, an acute administration of the highest used doses of JWH 133, WIN 55,212-2, and AM 630, but not AM 251, increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the brain. In turn, the processes of lipids peroxidation, expressed as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), were more advanced in case of AM 251. Thus, some changes in the PA performance may be connected with the level of oxidative stress in the brain.
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Adamson Barnes NS, Mitchell VA, Kazantzis NP, Vaughan CW. Actions of the dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor JZL195 in a murine neuropathic pain model. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 173:77-87. [PMID: 26398331 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While cannabinoids have been proposed as a potential treatment for neuropathic pain, they have limitations. Cannabinoid receptor agonists have good efficacy in animal models of neuropathic pain; they have a poor therapeutic window. Conversely, selective fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors that enhance the endocannabinoid system have a better therapeutic window, but lesser efficacy. We examined whether JZL195, a dual inhibitor of FAAH and monacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), could overcome these limitations. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH C57BL/6 mice underwent the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain. Mechanical and cold allodynia, plus cannabinoid side effects, were assessed in response to systemic drug application. KEY RESULTS JZL195 and the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55212 produced dose-dependent reductions in CCI-induced mechanical and cold allodynia, plus side effects including motor incoordination, catalepsy and sedation. JZL195 reduced allodynia with an ED50 at least four times less than that at which it produced side effects. By contrast, WIN55212 reduced allodynia and produce side effects with similar ED50s. The maximal anti-allodynic effect of JZL195 was greater than that produced by selective FAAH, or MAGL inhibitors. The JZL195-induced anti-allodynia was maintained during repeated treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These findings suggest that JZL195 has greater anti-allodynic efficacy than selective FAAH, or MAGL inhibitors, plus a greater therapeutic window than a cannabinoid receptor agonist. Thus, dual FAAH/MAGL inhibition may have greater potential in alleviating neuropathic pain, compared with selective FAAH and MAGL inhibitors, or cannabinoid receptor agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas S Adamson Barnes
- Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia
| | - Vanessa A Mitchell
- Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas P Kazantzis
- Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher W Vaughan
- Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia
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Carey CE, Agrawal A, Zhang B, Conley ED, Degenhardt L, Heath AC, Li D, Lynskey MT, Martin NG, Montgomery GW, Wang T, Bierut LJ, Hariri AR, Nelson EC, Bogdan R. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MGLL) polymorphism rs604300 interacts with childhood adversity to predict cannabis dependence symptoms and amygdala habituation: Evidence from an endocannabinoid system-level analysis. JOURNAL OF ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY 2015; 124:860-77. [PMID: 26595473 PMCID: PMC4700831 DOI: 10.1037/abn0000079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite evidence for heritable variation in cannabis involvement and the discovery of cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands, no consistent patterns have emerged from candidate endocannabinoid (eCB) genetic association studies of cannabis involvement. Given interactions between eCB and stress systems and associations between childhood stress and cannabis involvement, it may be important to consider childhood adversity in the context of eCB-related genetic variation. We employed a system-level gene-based analysis of data from the Comorbidity and Trauma Study (N = 1,558) to examine whether genetic variation in six eCB genes (anabolism: DAGLA, DAGLB, NAPEPLD; catabolism: MGLL, FAAH; binding: CNR1; SNPs N = 65) and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) predict cannabis dependence symptoms. Significant interactions with CSA emerged for MGLL at the gene level (p = .009), and for rs604300 within MGLL (ΔR2 = .007, p < .001), the latter of which survived SNP-level Bonferroni correction and was significant in an additional sample with similar directional effects (N = 859; ΔR2 = .005, p = .026). Furthermore, in a third sample (N = 312), there was evidence that rs604300 genotype interacts with early life adversity to predict threat-related basolateral amygdala habituation, a neural phenotype linked to the eCB system and addiction (ΔR2 = .013, p = .047). Rs604300 may be related to epigenetic modulation of MGLL expression. These results are consistent with rodent models implicating 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), an endogenous cannabinoid metabolized by the enzyme encoded by MGLL, in the etiology of stress adaptation related to cannabis dependence, but require further replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Carey
- Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis
| | - Arpana Agrawal
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis
| | | | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales
| | - Andrew C Heath
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis
| | - Daofeng Li
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis
| | | | | | | | - Ting Wang
- Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis
| | - Laura J Bierut
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis
| | - Ahmad R Hariri
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University
| | - Elliot C Nelson
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis
| | - Ryan Bogdan
- Department of Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis
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Abstract
Cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as ibuprofen have been used for decades to control fever through reducing the levels of the pyrogenic lipid transmitter prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Historically, phospholipases have been considered to be the primary generator of the arachidonic acid (AA) precursor pool for generating PGE2 and other eicosanoids. However, recent studies have demonstrated that monoacyglycerol lipase (MAGL), through hydrolysis of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol, provides a major source of AA for PGE2 synthesis in the mammalian brain under basal and neuroinflammatory states. We show here that either genetic or pharmacological ablation of MAGL leads to significantly reduced fever responses in both centrally or peripherally-administered lipopolysaccharide or interleukin-1β-induced fever models in mice. We also show that a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist does not attenuate these anti-pyrogenic effects of MAGL inhibitors. Thus, much like traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, MAGL inhibitors can control fever, but appear to do so through restricted control over prostaglandin production in the nervous system.
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Manduca A, Morena M, Campolongo P, Servadio M, Palmery M, Trabace L, Hill MN, Vanderschuren LJMJ, Cuomo V, Trezza V. Distinct roles of the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in social behavior and emotionality at different developmental ages in rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:1362-74. [PMID: 25914159 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
To date, our understanding of the relative contribution and potential overlapping roles of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the regulation of brain function and behavior is still limited. To address this issue, we investigated the effects of systemic administration of JZL195, that simultaneously increases AEA and 2-AG signaling by inhibiting their hydrolysis, in the regulation of socio-emotional behavior in adolescent and adult rats. JZL195, administered at the dose of 0.01mg/kg, increased social play behavior, that is the most characteristic social activity displayed by adolescent rats, and increased social interaction in adult animals. At both ages, these behavioral effects were antagonized by the CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A and were associated with increased brain levels of 2-AG, but not AEA. Conversely, at the dose of 1mg/kg, JZL195 decreased general social exploration in adolescent rats without affecting social play behavior, and induced anxiogenic-like effects in the elevated plus-maze test both in adolescent and adult animals. These effects, mediated by activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors, were paralleled by simultaneous increase in AEA and 2-AG levels in adolescent rats, and by an increase of only 2-AG levels in adult animals. These findings provide the first evidence for a role of 2-AG in social behavior, highlight the different contributions of AEA and 2-AG in the modulation of emotionality at different developmental ages and suggest that pharmacological inhibition of AEA and 2-AG hydrolysis is a useful approach to investigate the role of these endocannabinoids in neurobehavioral processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Manduca
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Morena
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy and Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Patrizia Campolongo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Servadio
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy
| | - Maura Palmery
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy and Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Louk J M J Vanderschuren
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Animals in Science and Society, Division of Behavioural Neuroscience, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vincenzo Cuomo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Section of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies, University "Roma Tre", Rome, Italy.
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Ghosh S, Kinsey SG, Liu QS, Hruba L, McMahon LR, Grim TW, Merritt CR, Wise LE, Abdullah RA, Selley DE, Sim-Selley LJ, Cravatt BF, Lichtman AH. Full Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Inhibition Combined with Partial Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibition: Augmented and Sustained Antinociceptive Effects with Reduced Cannabimimetic Side Effects in Mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2015; 354:111-20. [PMID: 25998048 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.115.222851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) or monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the primary hydrolytic enzymes for the respective endocannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), produces antinociception but with minimal cannabimimetic side effects. Although selective inhibitors of either enzyme often show partial efficacy in various nociceptive models, their combined blockade elicits augmented antinociceptive effects, but side effects emerge. Moreover, complete and prolonged MAGL blockade leads to cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) receptor functional tolerance, which represents another challenge in this potential therapeutic strategy. Therefore, the present study tested whether full FAAH inhibition combined with partial MAGL inhibition would produce sustained antinociceptive effects with minimal cannabimimetic side effects. Accordingly, we tested a high dose of the FAAH inhibitor PF-3845 (N-3-pyridinyl-4-[[3-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]oxy]phenyl]methyl]-1-piperidinecarboxamide; 10 mg/kg) given in combination with a low dose of the MAGL inhibitor JZL184 [4-nitrophenyl 4-(dibenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl(hydroxy)methyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate] (4 mg/kg) in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. This combination of inhibitors elicited profound increases in brain AEA levels (>10-fold) but only 2- to 3-fold increases in brain 2-AG levels. This combination produced significantly greater antinociceptive effects than single enzyme inhibition and did not elicit common cannabimimetic effects (e.g., catalepsy, hypomotility, hypothermia, and substitution for Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol in the drug-discrimination assay), although these side effects emerged with high-dose JZL184 (i.e., 100 mg/kg). Finally, repeated administration of this combination did not lead to tolerance to its antiallodynic actions in the carrageenan assay or CB1 receptor functional tolerance. Thus, full FAAH inhibition combined with partial MAGL inhibition reduces neuropathic and inflammatory pain states with minimal cannabimimetic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshna Ghosh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Steven G Kinsey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Qing-Song Liu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Lenka Hruba
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Lance R McMahon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Travis W Grim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Christina R Merritt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Laura E Wise
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Rehab A Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Dana E Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Laura J Sim-Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (S.G., T.W.G., C.R.M., L.E.W., R.A.A., D.E.S., L.J.S.-S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Q.L.); Department of Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (L.H., L.R.M.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (B.F.C.)
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Sirrs S, van Karnebeek CDM, Peng X, Shyr C, Tarailo-Graovac M, Mandal R, Testa D, Dubin D, Carbonetti G, Glynn SE, Sayson B, Robinson WP, Han B, Wishart D, Ross CJ, Wasserman WW, Hurwitz TA, Sinclair G, Kaczocha M. Defects in fatty acid amide hydrolase 2 in a male with neurologic and psychiatric symptoms. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2015; 10:38. [PMID: 25885783 PMCID: PMC4423390 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-015-0248-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fatty acid amide hydrolase 2 (FAAH2) is a hydrolase that mediates the degradation of endocannabinoids in man. Alterations in the endocannabinoid system are associated with a wide variety of neurologic and psychiatric conditions, but the phenotype and biochemical characterization of patients with genetic defects of FAAH2 activity have not previously been described. We report a male with autistic features with an onset before the age of 2 years who subsequently developed additional features including anxiety, pseudoseizures, ataxia, supranuclear gaze palsy, and isolated learning disabilities but was otherwise cognitively intact as an adult. Methods and results Whole exome sequencing identified a rare missense mutation in FAAH2, hg19: g.57475100G > T (c.1372G > T) resulting in an amino acid change (p.Ala458Ser), which was Sanger confirmed as maternally inherited and absent in his healthy brother. Alterations in lipid metabolism with abnormalities of the whole blood acyl carnitine profile were found. Biochemical and molecular modeling studies confirmed that the p.Ala458Ser mutation results in partial inactivation of FAAH2. Studies in patient derived fibroblasts confirmed a defect in FAAH2 activity resulting in altered levels of endocannabinoid metabolites. Conclusions We propose that genetic alterations in FAAH2 activity contribute to neurologic and psychiatric disorders in humans. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13023-015-0248-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Sirrs
- Departments of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Clara D M van Karnebeek
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. .,Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. .,Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavour in British Columbia (TIDE-BC), Vancouver, Canada. .,Division of Biochemical Diseases, Rm K3-201, Department of Pediatrics, B.C. Children's Hospital, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6H 3V4, Canada.
| | - Xiaoxue Peng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8480, USA.
| | - Casper Shyr
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. .,Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavour in British Columbia (TIDE-BC), Vancouver, Canada. .,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Maja Tarailo-Graovac
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. .,Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavour in British Columbia (TIDE-BC), Vancouver, Canada. .,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Rupasri Mandal
- Departments of Biological and Computing Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E8, Canada.
| | - Daniel Testa
- Half Hollow Hills High School, Dix Hills, NY, 11746, USA.
| | - Devin Dubin
- Half Hollow Hills High School, Dix Hills, NY, 11746, USA.
| | - Gregory Carbonetti
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794, USA.
| | - Steven E Glynn
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5215, USA.
| | - Bryan Sayson
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. .,Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavour in British Columbia (TIDE-BC), Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Wendy P Robinson
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Beomsoo Han
- Departments of Biological and Computing Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E8, Canada.
| | - David Wishart
- Departments of Biological and Computing Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2E8, Canada.
| | - Colin J Ross
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. .,Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavour in British Columbia (TIDE-BC), Vancouver, Canada. .,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Wyeth W Wasserman
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. .,Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavour in British Columbia (TIDE-BC), Vancouver, Canada. .,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | | | - Graham Sinclair
- Treatable Intellectual Disability Endeavour in British Columbia (TIDE-BC), Vancouver, Canada. .,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
| | - Martin Kaczocha
- Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-8480, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-5215, USA.
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Walentiny DM, Vann RE, Wiley JL. Phenotypic assessment of THC discriminative stimulus properties in fatty acid amide hydrolase knockout and wildtype mice. Neuropharmacology 2015; 93:237-42. [PMID: 25698527 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
A number of studies have examined the ability of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide to elicit Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-like subjective effects, as modeled through the THC discrimination paradigm. In the present study, we compared transgenic mice lacking fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme primarily responsible for anandamide catabolism, to wildtype counterparts in a THC discrimination procedure. THC (5.6 mg/kg) served as a discriminative stimulus in both genotypes, with similar THC dose-response curves between groups. Anandamide fully substituted for THC in FAAH knockout, but not wildtype, mice. Conversely, the metabolically stable anandamide analog O-1812 fully substituted in both groups, but was more potent in knockouts. The CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant dose-dependently attenuated THC generalization in both groups and anandamide substitution in FAAH knockouts. Pharmacological inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the primary catabolic enzyme for the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), with JZL184 resulted in full substitution for THC in FAAH knockout mice and nearly full substitution in wildtypes. Quantification of brain endocannabinoid levels revealed expected elevations in anandamide in FAAH knockout mice compared to wildtypes and equipotent dose-dependent elevations in 2-AG following JZL184 administration. Dual inhibition of FAAH and MAGL with JZL195 resulted in roughly equipotent increases in THC-appropriate responding in both groups. While the notable similarity in THC's discriminative stimulus effects across genotype suggests that the increased baseline brain anandamide levels (as seen in FAAH knockout mice) do not alter THC's subjective effects, FAAH knockout mice are more sensitive to the THC-like effects of pharmacologically induced increases in anandamide and MAGL inhibition (e.g., JZL184).
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Affiliation(s)
- D Matthew Walentiny
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Robert E Vann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Jenny L Wiley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Griebel G, Pichat P, Beeské S, Leroy T, Redon N, Jacquet A, Françon D, Bert L, Even L, Lopez-Grancha M, Tolstykh T, Sun F, Yu Q, Brittain S, Arlt H, He T, Zhang B, Wiederschain D, Bertrand T, Houtmann J, Rak A, Vallée F, Michot N, Augé F, Menet V, Bergis OE, George P, Avenet P, Mikol V, Didier M, Escoubet J. Selective blockade of the hydrolysis of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol impairs learning and memory performance while producing antinociceptive activity in rodents. Sci Rep 2015; 5:7642. [PMID: 25560837 PMCID: PMC4284516 DOI: 10.1038/srep07642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) represents a primary degradation enzyme of the endogenous cannabinoid (eCB), 2-arachidonoyglycerol (2-AG). This study reports a potent covalent MAGL inhibitor, SAR127303. The compound behaves as a selective and competitive inhibitor of mouse and human MAGL, which potently elevates hippocampal levels of 2-AG in mice. In vivo, SAR127303 produces antinociceptive effects in assays of inflammatory and visceral pain. In addition, the drug alters learning performance in several assays related to episodic, working and spatial memory. Moreover, long term potentiation (LTP) of CA1 synaptic transmission and acetylcholine release in the hippocampus, two hallmarks of memory function, are both decreased by SAR127303. Although inactive in acute seizure tests, repeated administration of SAR127303 delays the acquisition and decreases kindled seizures in mice, indicating that the drug slows down epileptogenesis, a finding deserving further investigation to evaluate the potential of MAGL inhibitors as antiepileptics. However, the observation that 2-AG hydrolysis blockade alters learning and memory performance, suggests that such drugs may have limited value as therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Griebel
- Sanofi R&D, Exploratory Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | - Sandra Beeské
- Sanofi R&D, Exploratory Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Thibaud Leroy
- Sanofi R&D, Exploratory Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Nicolas Redon
- Sanofi R&D, Exploratory Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Agnès Jacquet
- Sanofi R&D, Exploratory Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | | | - Luc Even
- Sanofi R&D, Exploratory Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | | | | | - Qunyan Yu
- Global Oncology Division, Cambridge, USA
| | | | - Heike Arlt
- Global Oncology Division, Cambridge, USA
| | - Timothy He
- Global Oncology Division, Cambridge, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas Bertrand
- Lead Generation To Candidate Realization, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Jacques Houtmann
- Lead Generation To Candidate Realization, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Alexey Rak
- Lead Generation To Candidate Realization, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - François Vallée
- Lead Generation To Candidate Realization, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Nadine Michot
- Lead Generation To Candidate Realization, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Franck Augé
- Sanofi R&D, Exploratory Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | | | - Pascal George
- Therapeutic Strategic Unit Aging, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | - Vincent Mikol
- Lead Generation To Candidate Realization, Vitry-sur-Seine, France
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Gamage TF, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Muldoon PP, Cravatt BF, Damaj MI, Lichtman AH. Differential effects of endocannabinoid catabolic inhibitors on morphine withdrawal in mice. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 146:7-16. [PMID: 25479915 PMCID: PMC4295928 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Revised: 11/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inhibition of endocannabinoid catabolic enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and/or monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) reduces somatic morphine withdrawal signs, but its effects on aversive aspects of withdrawal are unknown. The present study investigated whether Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the MAGL inhibitor JZL184, the FAAH inhibitor PF-3845, or the dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor SA-57 would reduce acquisition of morphine withdrawal-induced conditioned place avoidance (CPA) and jumping. METHODS Mice were implanted with placebo or 75 mg morphine pellets, 48 h later injected with naloxone or saline and placed in the conditioning apparatus, and assessed for CPA at 72 h. Subjects were also observed for jumping behavior following naloxone challenge. RESULTS Naloxone (0.056 mg/kg) produced robust CPA in morphine-pelleted, but not placebo-pelleted, mice. Morphine pretreatment prevented the occurrence of withdrawal CPA and withdrawal jumping, while clonidine (an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist) only blocked withdrawal CPA. THC, JZL184, and SA-57 significantly reduced the percentage of mice that jumped during the conditioning session, but did not affect acquisition of withdrawal CPA. PF-3845 did not reduce morphine withdrawal CPA or jumping. Finally, neither THC nor the endocannabinoid catabolic enzyme inhibitors in non-dependent mice elicited a conditioned place preference or aversion. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that inhibiting endocannabinoid catabolic enzymes reduces somatic morphine withdrawal signs, but not aversive aspects as inferred in the CPA paradigm. The observation that non-dependent mice administered inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation did not display place preferences is consistent with the idea that that endocannabinoid catabolic enzymes might be targeted therapeutically, with reduced risk of abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas F. Gamage
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Kontos Medical Sciences Building, 1217 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Bogna M. Ignatowska-Jankowska
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Kontos Medical Sciences Building, 1217 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Pretal P. Muldoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Kontos Medical Sciences Building, 1217 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Benjamin F. Cravatt
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd. La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Kontos Medical Sciences Building, 1217 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Kontos Medical Sciences Building, 1217 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298
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The Potential of Inhibitors of Endocannabinoid Metabolism for Drug Development: A Critical Review. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2015; 231:95-128. [PMID: 26408159 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-20825-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol are metabolised by both hydrolytic enzymes (primarily fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL)) and oxygenating enzymes (e.g. cyclooxygenase-2, COX-2). In the present article, the in vivo data for compounds inhibiting endocannabinoid metabolism have been reviewed, focussing on inflammation and pain. Potential reasons for the failure of an FAAH inhibitor in a clinical trial in patients with osteoarthritic pain are discussed. It is concluded that there is a continued potential for compounds inhibiting endocannabinoid metabolism in terms of drug development, but that it is wise not to be unrealistic in terms of expectations of success.
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Therapeutic potential of inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation for the treatment of stress-related hyperalgesia in an animal model of chronic pain. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:488-501. [PMID: 25100669 PMCID: PMC4443964 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The occurrence of chronic stress, depression, and anxiety can increase nociception in humans and may facilitate the transition from localized to chronic widespread pain. The mechanisms underlying chronic widespread pain are still unknown, hindering the development of effective pharmacological therapies. Here, we exposed C57BL/6J mice to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) to investigate how persistent stress affects nociception. Next, mice were treated with multiple intramuscular nerve growth factor (NGF) injections, which induced chronic widespread nociception. Thus, combination of CUS and NGF served as a model where psychophysiological impairment coexists with long-lasting hyperalgesia. We found that CUS increased anxiety- and depression-like behavior and enhanced basal nociception in mice. When co-applied with repeated NGF injections, CUS elicited a sustained long-lasting widespread hyperalgesia. In order to evaluate a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic pain associated with stress, we hypothesized that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may represent a target signaling system. We found that URB597, an inhibitor of the anandamide-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and JZL184, an inhibitor of the 2-arachidonoyl glycerol-degrading enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), increased eCB levels in the brain and periphery and were both effective in reducing CUS-induced anxiety measured by the light-dark test and CUS-induced thermal hyperalgesia. Remarkably, the long-lasting widespread hyperalgesia induced by combining CUS and NGF was effectively reduced by URB597, but not by JZL184. Simultaneous inhibition of FAAH and MAGL did not improve the overall therapeutic response. Therefore, our findings indicate that enhancement of anandamide signaling with URB597 is a promising pharmacological approach for the alleviation of chronic widespread nociception in stress-exposed mice, and thus, it could represent a potential treatment strategy for chronic pain associated with neuropsychiatric disorders in humans.
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Wiebelhaus JM, Grim TW, Owens RA, Lazenka MF, Sim-Selley LJ, Abdullah RA, Niphakis MJ, Vann RE, Cravatt BF, Wiley JL, Negus SS, Lichtman AH. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and endocannabinoid degradative enzyme inhibitors attenuate intracranial self-stimulation in mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 352:195-207. [PMID: 25398241 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.218677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence implicates endogenous cannabinoids as modulators of the mesolimbic dopamine system and motivated behavior. Paradoxically, the reinforcing effects of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive constituent of cannabis, have been difficult to detect in preclinical rodent models. In this study, we investigated the impact of THC and inhibitors of the endocannabinoid hydrolytic enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) on operant responding for electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle [intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS)], which is known to activate the mesolimbic dopamine system. These drugs were also tested in assays of operant responding for food reinforcement and spontaneous locomotor activity. THC and the MAGL inhibitor JZL184 (4-[bis(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)hydroxymethyl]-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 4-nitrophenyl ester) attenuated operant responding for ICSS and food, and also reduced spontaneous locomotor activity. In contrast, the FAAH inhibitor PF-3845 (N-3-pyridinyl-4-[[3-[[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridinyl]oxy]phenyl]methyl]-1-piperidinecarboxamide) was largely without effect in these assays. Consistent with previous studies showing that combined inhibition of FAAH and MAGL produces a substantially greater cannabimimetic profile than single enzyme inhibition, the dual FAAH-MAGL inhibitor SA-57 (4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 2-(methylamino)-2-oxoethyl ester) produced a similar magnitude of ICSS depression as that produced by THC. ICSS attenuation by JZL184 was associated with increased brain levels of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), whereas peak effects of SA-57 were associated with increased levels of both N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-AG. The cannabinoid receptor type 1 receptor antagonist rimonabant, but not the cannabinoid receptor type 2 receptor antagonist SR144528, blocked the attenuating effects of THC, JZL184, and SA-57 on ICSS. Thus, THC, MAGL inhibition, and dual FAAH-MAGL inhibition not only reduce ICSS, but also decrease other reinforced and nonreinforced behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M Wiebelhaus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Travis W Grim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Robert A Owens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Matthew F Lazenka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Laura J Sim-Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Rehab A Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Robert E Vann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Jenny L Wiley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.M.W., T.W.G., R.A.O., M.F.L., L.J.S.-S., R.A.A., R.E.V., S.S.N., A.H.L.); Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
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Ma L, Wang L, Yang F, Meng XD, Wu C, Ma H, Jiang W. Disease-modifying effects of RHC80267 and JZL184 in a pilocarpine mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy. CNS Neurosci Ther 2014; 20:905-15. [PMID: 24989980 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) often suffer from comorbid psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, or impaired cognitive performance. Endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling is a key regulator of synaptic neurotransmission and has been implicated in the mechanisms of epilepsy as well as several mood disorders and cognitive impairments. AIMS We employed a pilocarpine model of TLE in C57/BJ mice to investigate the role of eCB signaling in epileptogenesis and concomitant psychiatric comorbidities. METHODS AND RESULTS We sought to alter the neuronal levels of a known eCB receptor ligand, 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), through the use of RHC80267 or JZL184. Pilocarpine-treated mice were treated with RHC80267 (1.3 μmol) or JZL184 (20 mg/kg) immediately after the termination of status epilepticus (SE), which was followed by daily treatment for the next 7 days. Our results indicated that RHC80267 treatment significantly reduced the percentage of mice suffering from spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) in addition to decreasing the duration of observed seizures when compared to vehicle treatment. Furthermore, RHC80267 attenuated depression and anxiety-related behaviors, improved previously impaired spatial learning and memory, and inhibited seizure-induced hippocampal neuronal loss during the chronic epileptic period. In contrast, JZL184 administration markedly increased the frequency and the duration of observed SRS, enhanced the previously impaired neuropsychological performance, and increased hippocampal damage following SE. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that RHC80267 treatment after the onset of SE could result in an amelioration of the effects found during the chronic epileptic period and yield an overall decrease in epileptic symptoms and comorbid conditions. Thus, alterations to endocannabinoid signaling may serve as a potential mechanism to prevent epileptogenesis and manipulation of this signaling pathway as a possible drug target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Ma
- Department of Neurology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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44
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Schlosburg JE, Kinsey SG, Ignatowska-Jankowska B, Ramesh D, Abdullah RA, Tao Q, Booker L, Long JZ, Selley DE, Cravatt BF, Lichtman AH. Prolonged monoacylglycerol lipase blockade causes equivalent cannabinoid receptor type 1 receptor-mediated adaptations in fatty acid amide hydrolase wild-type and knockout mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 350:196-204. [PMID: 24849924 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.212753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Complementary genetic and pharmacological approaches to inhibit monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the primary hydrolytic enzymes of the respective endogenous cannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoylethanolamine, enable the exploration of potential therapeutic applications and physiologic roles of these enzymes. Complete and simultaneous inhibition of both FAAH and MAGL produces greatly enhanced cannabimimetic responses, including increased antinociception, and other cannabimimetic effects, far beyond those seen with inhibition of either enzyme alone. While cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) function is maintained following chronic FAAH inactivation, prolonged excessive elevation of brain 2-AG levels, via MAGL inhibition, elicits both behavioral and molecular signs of cannabinoid tolerance and dependence. Here, we evaluated the consequences of a high dose of the MAGL inhibitor JZL184 [4-nitrophenyl 4-(dibenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl(hydroxy)methyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate; 40 mg/kg] given acutely or for 6 days in FAAH(-/-) and (+/+) mice. While acute administration of JZL184 to FAAH(-/-) mice enhanced the magnitude of a subset of cannabimimetic responses, repeated JZL184 treatment led to tolerance to its antinociceptive effects, cross-tolerance to the pharmacological effects of Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, decreases in CB1 receptor agonist-stimulated guanosine 5'-O-(3-[(35)S]thio)triphosphate binding, and dependence as indicated by rimonabant-precipitated withdrawal behaviors, regardless of genotype. Together, these data suggest that simultaneous elevation of both endocannabinoids elicits enhanced cannabimimetic activity but MAGL inhibition drives CB1 receptor functional tolerance and cannabinoid dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel E Schlosburg
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Steven G Kinsey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Bogna Ignatowska-Jankowska
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Divya Ramesh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Rehab A Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Qing Tao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Lamont Booker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Jonathan Z Long
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Dana E Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia (J.E.S., B.I.-J., D.R., R.A.A., Q.T., L.B., D.E.S., A.H.L.); Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (S.G.K.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology (J.Z.L., B.F.C.), and Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders (J.E.S.), The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
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Attenuation of anticipatory nausea in a rat model of contextually elicited conditioned gaping by enhancement of the endocannabinoid system. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:603-12. [PMID: 24043345 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3282-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Enhancement of the endocannabinoid (EC) system may reduce anticipatory nausea (AN). OBJECTIVES The experiments evaluated the potential of the dual fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)/monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor, JZL195, on its own and combined with anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) to reduce contextually elicited gaping, a measure of AN in rats. METHODS Following four context lithium chloride (LiCl) pairings, rats were injected with vehicle (VEH) or JZL195 (10 mg kg(-1), intraperitoneally) 105 min before an injection of VEH, 2-AG (1.25 mg kg(-1)), or AEA (5.0 mg kg(-1)). Fifteen minutes later, all rats were placed in the LiCl-paired context for 5 min and in a different context for a 15-min locomotor test. Whole brains were extracted for EC analysis. The potential of the CB1 antagonist, SR141716, to reverse the suppression of AN by both JZL195 and AEA and of the CB2 antagonist, AM630, to reverse the suppression of AN by JZL195 was then evaluated. RESULTS JZL195 suppressed gaping and elevated AEA, palmitoylethanolamine, and oleoylethanolamide. As the suppression of gaping was reversed by SR141716, but not by AM630, the effect was CB1 mediated. The suppressive effect of JZL195 on gaping, as well as elevation of AEA and 2-AG, was amplified by pretreatment with either AEA or 2-AG. On its own, AEA, but not 2-AG, also suppressed gaping-an effect that was also prevented by CB1 antagonism. CONCLUSIONS JZL195 reduces AN primarily by acting as a FAAH inhibitor, but MAGL inhibition is also indicated.
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Sharkey KA, Darmani NA, Parker LA. Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system. Eur J Pharmacol 2014; 722:134-46. [PMID: 24184696 PMCID: PMC3883513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.09.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Revised: 09/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nausea and vomiting (emesis) are important elements in defensive or protective responses that animals use to avoid ingestion or digestion of potentially harmful substances. However, these neurally-mediated responses are at times manifested as symptoms of disease and they are frequently observed as side-effects of a variety of medications, notably those used to treat cancer. Cannabis has long been known to limit or prevent nausea and vomiting from a variety of causes. This has led to extensive investigations that have revealed an important role for cannabinoids and their receptors in the regulation of nausea and emesis. With the discovery of the endocannabinoid system, novel ways to regulate both nausea and vomiting have been discovered that involve the production of endogenous cannabinoids acting centrally. Here we review recent progress in understanding the regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, and we discuss the potential to utilize the endocannabinoid system in the treatment of these frequently debilitating conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Sharkey
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, Canada T2N 4N1.
| | - Nissar A Darmani
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Anderson WB, Gould MJ, Torres RD, Mitchell VA, Vaughan CW. Actions of the dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor JZL195 in a murine inflammatory pain model. Neuropharmacology 2013; 81:224-30. [PMID: 24384256 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Revised: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The analgesic efficacy of cannabinoids in chronic pain models is limited by side-effects. It has been proposed that this might be overcome by using agents which indirectly activate the endocannabinoid system. We examined the analgesic and side-effect profile of the dual FAAH/MAGL inhibitor JZL195 in an inflammatory pain model. The effect of systemic injections of a range of doses of JZL195 and the pan-cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55212 were performed 1 day following intraplantar injection of CFA in C57BL/6 mice. JZL195 and WIN55212 both reduced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, and produced catalepsy and sedation in a dose dependent manner. Unlike WIN55212, JZL195 reduced allodynia at doses below those at which side-effects were observed. The effects of JZL195 and WIN55212 were abolished by co-application with the CB1 antagonist AM251. The CB2 antagonist also reduced the JZL195 anti-allodynia, and reversed the WIN55212 anti-allodynia. The reduction in allodynia produced by JZL195 was greater than that produced individually by the FAAH and MAGL inhibitors, URB597 and JZL184. These findings suggest that JZL195 reduces inflammation induced allodynia at doses below those which produce side-effects, and displays greater efficacy that FAAH or MAGL inhibitors. Thus, dual FAAH/MAGL inhibition has the potential to alleviate inflammatory pain with reduced cannabinoid-like side-effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wayne B Anderson
- Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.
| | - Michael J Gould
- Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Romeo D Torres
- Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Vanessa A Mitchell
- Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Christopher W Vaughan
- Pain Management Research Institute, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
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The endocannabinoid system: an emotional buffer in the modulation of memory function. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2013; 112:30-43. [PMID: 24382324 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2013.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Extensive evidence indicates that endocannabinoids modulate cognitive processes in animal models and human subjects. However, the results of endocannabinoid system manipulations on cognition have been contradictory. As for anxiety behavior, a duality has indeed emerged with regard to cannabinoid effects on memory for emotional experiences. Here we summarize findings describing cannabinoid effects on memory acquisition, consolidation, retrieval and extinction. Additionally, we review findings showing how the endocannabinoid system modulates memory function differentially, depending on the level of stress and arousal associated with the experimental context. Based on the evidence reviewed here, we propose that the endocannabinoid system is an emotional buffer that moderates the effects of environmental context and stress on cognitive processes.
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Elevating endocannabinoid levels: pharmacological strategies and potential therapeutic applications. Proc Nutr Soc 2013; 73:96-105. [DOI: 10.1017/s0029665113003649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, of endogenous agonists for these receptors known as ‘endocannabinoids’, and of processes responsible for endocannabinoid biosynthesis, cellular uptake and metabolism. There is strong evidence first, that this system up-regulates in certain disorders as indicated by an increased release of endocannabinoids onto their receptors and/or by increases in the expression levels or coupling efficiency of these receptors, and second, that this up-regulation often appears to reduce or abolish unwanted effects of these disorders or to slow their progression. This discovery has raised the possibility of developing a medicine that enhances up-regulation of the endocannabinoid system associated with these disorders by inhibiting the cellular uptake or intracellular metabolism of an endocannabinoid following its ‘autoprotective’ endogenous release. For inhibition of endocannabinoid metabolism, research has focused particularly on two highly investigated endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, and hence on inhibitors of the main anandamide-metabolising enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and of the main 2-arachidonoyl glycerol-metabolising enzyme, monoacylglycerol (MAG) lipase. The resulting data have provided strong preclinical evidence that selective FAAH and MAG lipase inhibitors would ameliorate the unwanted effects of several disorders, when administered alone or with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and that the benefit-to-risk ratio of a FAAH inhibitor would exceed that of a MAG lipase inhibitor or dual inhibitor of FAAH and MAG lipase. Promising preclinical data have also been obtained with inhibitors of endocannabinoid cellular uptake. There is now an urgent need for clinical research with these enzyme and uptake inhibitors.
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Ramesh D, Gamage TF, Vanuytsel T, Owens RA, Abdullah RA, Niphakis MJ, Shea-Donohue T, Cravatt BF, Lichtman AH. Dual inhibition of endocannabinoid catabolic enzymes produces enhanced antiwithdrawal effects in morphine-dependent mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2013; 38:1039-49. [PMID: 23303065 PMCID: PMC3629394 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2012.269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of the endocannabinoid catabolic enzymes, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) or fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) attenuates naloxone-precipitated opioid withdrawal signs in mice via activation of CB1 receptors. Complete FAAH inhibition blocks only a subset of withdrawal signs, whereas complete MAGL inhibition elicits enhanced antiwithdrawal efficacy, but is accompanied with some cannabimimetic side effects. Thus, the primary objective of the present study was to determine whether combined, full FAAH inhibition and partial MAGL represents an optimal strategy to reduce opioid withdrawal. To test this hypothesis, we examined whether combined administration of high-dose of the FAAH inhibitor PF-3845 and low-dose of the MAGL inhibitor JZL184, as well as the novel dual FAAH-MAGL inhibitor SA-57, which is 100-fold more potent in inhibiting FAAH than MAGL, would prevent spontaneous withdrawal in morphine-dependent mice, a model with greater face validity than precipitating withdrawal with μ-opioid receptor antagonists. Strikingly, a combination of low-dose JZL184 and high-dose PF-3845 as well as the dual inhibitor SA-57 reduced all abrupt withdrawal signs (ie, platform jumping, paw flutters, head shakes, diarrhea, and total body weight loss), but did not elicit any cannabimimetic side effects. In addition, JZL184 or PF-3845 blocked naloxone-precipitated hypersecretion in morphine-dependent small intestinal tissue. Collectively, these results are the first to show that endocannabinoid catabolic enzyme inhibitors reduce abrupt withdrawal in morpine-dependent mice and are effective in a novel in vitro model of opioid withdrawal. More generally, these findings support the idea that joint MAGL and FAAH inhibition represents a promising approach for the treatment of opioid dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Ramesh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Thomas F Gamage
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Tim Vanuytsel
- Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Mucosal Biology Research Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore (MD), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert A Owens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rehab A Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- Department of Chemical Physiology and the Skaggs Institute for Structural Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Terez Shea-Donohue
- Mucosal Biology Research Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore (MD), Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemical Physiology and the Skaggs Institute for Structural Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA,Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 980613, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA, Tel: +1 804 828 8480, Fax: +1 804 828 2117, E-mail:
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