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Biener I, Mueller TT, Lin J, Bao H, Steffen J, Hoerl M, Biere K, Matzel S, Woehrle T, König S, Keiler AM, Thieme D, Keppler O, Klein M, Weinberger T, Osterman A, Adorjan K, Choukér A. Endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid-like compounds and cortisone in head hair of health care workers as markers of stress and resilience during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:71. [PMID: 38296973 PMCID: PMC10831098 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02771-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 impacted health systems globally, creating increased workload and mental stress upon health care workers (HCW). During the first pandemic wave (March to May 2020) in southern Germany, we investigated the impact of stress and the resilience to stress in HCW by measuring changes in hair concentrations of endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid-like compounds and cortisone. HCW (n = 178) recruited from multiple occupation and worksites in the LMU-University-Hospital in Munich were interviewed at four interval visits to evaluate mental stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. A strand of hair of up to 6 cm in length was sampled once in May 2020, which enabled retrospective individual stress hormone quantifications during that aforementioned time period. Perceived anxiety and impact on mental health were demonstrated to be higher at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and decreased significantly thereafter. Resilience was stable over time, but noted to be lower in women than in men. The concentrations of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) and the structural congeners N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), N-oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and N-stearoylethanolamide (SEA) were noted to have decreased significantly over the course of the pandemic. In contrast, the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels increased significantly and were found to be higher in nurses, laboratory staff and hospital administration than in physicians. PEA was significantly higher in subjects with a higher resilience but lower in subjects with anxiety. SEA was also noted to be reduced in subjects with anxiety. Nurses had significantly higher cortisone levels than physicians, while female subjects had significant lower cortisone levels than males. Hair samples provided temporal and measurable objective psychophysiological-hormonal information. The hair endocannabinoids/endocannabinoid-like compounds and cortisone correlated to each other and to professions, age and sex quite differentially, relative to specific periods of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingeborg Biener
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Tonina T Mueller
- Department of Medicine I, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Jin Lin
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Ludwigstr. 33, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Han Bao
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Ludwigstr. 33, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Julius Steffen
- Department of Medicine I, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Hoerl
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Biere
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra Matzel
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Woehrle
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Simon König
- Institute of Doping Analysis und Sports Biochemistry Dresden (IDAS), Dresdner Str. 12, 01731, Kreischa, Germany
| | - Annekathrin M Keiler
- Institute of Doping Analysis und Sports Biochemistry Dresden (IDAS), Dresdner Str. 12, 01731, Kreischa, Germany
| | - Detlef Thieme
- Institute of Doping Analysis und Sports Biochemistry Dresden (IDAS), Dresdner Str. 12, 01731, Kreischa, Germany
| | - Oliver Keppler
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Klein
- Emergency Department, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Weinberger
- Department of Medicine I, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Osterman
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Kristina Adorjan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Choukér
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
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Schindler-Gmelch L, Capito K, Steudte-Schmiedgen S, Kirschbaum C, Berking M. Hair Cortisol Research in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder - 10 Years of Insights and Open Questions. A Systematic Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1697-1719. [PMID: 37550910 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230807112425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cortisol is one of the most extensively studied biomarkers in the context of trauma/posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For more than a decade, hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) have been measured in this context, leading to a two-staged dysregulation model. Specifically, an elevated secretion during/immediately after trauma exposure eventually reverts to hyposecretion with increasing time since trauma exposure has been postulated. OBJECTIVE The aim of our systematic review was to re-evaluate the two-staged secretion model with regard to the accumulated diagnostic, prognostic, and intervention-related evidence of HCC in lifetime trauma exposure and PTSD. Further, we provide an overview of open questions, particularly with respect to reporting standards and quality criteria. METHOD A systematic literature search yielded 5,046 records, of which 31 studies were included. RESULTS For recent/ongoing (traumatic) stress, the predictions of cortisol hypersecretion could be largely confirmed. However, for the assumed hyposecretion temporally more distal to trauma exposure, the results are more ambiguous. As most studies did not report holistic overviews of trauma history and confounding influences, this may largely be attributable to methodological limitations. Data on the prognostic and intervention-related benefits of HCC remain sparse. CONCLUSION Over the last decade, important insights could be gained about long-term cortisol secretion patterns following lifetime trauma exposure and PTSD. This systematic review integrates these insights into an updated secretion model for trauma/PTSD. We conclude with recommendations for improving HCC research in the context of trauma/PTSD in order to answer the remaining open questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Schindler-Gmelch
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klara Capito
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Matthias Berking
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Hitzler M, Matits L, Gumpp AM, Bach AM, Ziegenhain U, Gao W, Kolassa IT, Behnke A. Longitudinal course of endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamines in hair of mothers and their children in the first year postpartum: investigating the relevance of maternal childhood maltreatment experiences. Psychol Med 2023; 53:7446-7457. [PMID: 37198936 PMCID: PMC10719681 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723001204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment (CM) exerts long-lasting psychological and biological alterations in affected individuals and might also affect the endocannabinoid (eCB) system which modulates inflammation and the endocrine stress response. Here, we investigated the eCB system of women with and without CM and their infants using hair samples representing eCB levels accumulated during the last trimester of pregnancy and 10-12 months postpartum. METHODS CM exposure was assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. At both timepoints, 3 cm hair strands were collected from mothers and children (N = 170 resp. 150) to measure anandamide (AEA), 2/1-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG/1-AG), stearoylethanolamide (SEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). RESULTS Maternal hair levels of 2-AG/1-AG increased and SEA levels decreased from late pregnancy to one year postpartum. Maternal CM was associated with lower SEA levels in late pregnancy, but not one year later. In the children's hair, levels of 2-AG/1-AG increased while levels of SEA, OEA, and PEA decreased from late pregnancy to one year later. Maternal CM was not consistently associated with the eCB levels measured in children's hair. CONCLUSIONS We provide first evidence for longitudinal change in the eCB system of mothers and infants from pregnancy to one year later. While maternal CM influenced the maternal eCB system, we found no consistent intergenerational effects on early regulation of the eCB system in children. Longitudinal research on the importance of the eCB system for the course and immunoregulation of pregnancy as well as for the children's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Hitzler
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lynn Matits
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Division of Sports and Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Medicine, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anja M. Gumpp
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexandra M. Bach
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ute Ziegenhain
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Biopsychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Iris-Tatjana Kolassa
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexander Behnke
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Bergunde L, Karl M, Schälicke S, Weise V, Mack JT, von Soest T, Gao W, Weidner K, Garthus-Niegel S, Steudte-Schmiedgen S. Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms - examining associations with hair endocannabinoid concentrations during pregnancy and lifetime trauma. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:335. [PMID: 37907467 PMCID: PMC10618290 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02610-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence has linked alterations of the endocannabinoid system with trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Childbirth-related PTSD symptoms (CB-PTSS) affect about every eighth woman and can negatively influence the entire family. While aetiological models of CB-PTSD include psychological risk factors such as maternal trauma history and negative subjective birth experience (SBE), they lack biological risk indicators. We investigated whether lifetime trauma and CB-PTSS were associated with long-term endocannabinoid concentrations during pregnancy. Further, we tested endocannabinoids as mediators between lifetime trauma and CB-PTSS and whether SBE moderated such mediational paths. Within the prospective cohort study DREAMHAIR, 263 expectant mothers completed trauma assessments and provided hair samples for quantification of long-term endocannabinoid levels (anandamide [AEA], 2-arachidonoylglycerol [1-AG/2-AG], and N-acyl-ethanolamides [NAE]) prior to their anticipated birth date. Two months postpartum, CB-PTSS and SBE were measured. Regression models controlling for relevant confounders showed no association between lifetime trauma and hair endocannabinoids during pregnancy, yet higher number of lifetime trauma events and lower hair AEA were significantly associated with CB-PTSS, with the latter finding not remaining significant when Bonferroni corrections due to multiple testing were applied. While hair AEA did not mediate the association between lifetime trauma and CB-PTSS, the effect of lower hair AEA on CB-PTSS was stronger upon negative SBE. Results suggest greater lifetime trauma and reduced maternal hair AEA during pregnancy may be associated with increased risk for CB-PTSS, particularly upon negative SBE. Findings confirm lifetime trauma as a CB-PTSS risk factor and add important preliminary insights on the role of endocannabinoid ligand alterations and SBE in CB-PTSS pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Bergunde
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Marlene Karl
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sarah Schälicke
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Victoria Weise
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Judith T Mack
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tilmann von Soest
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wei Gao
- Institute of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kerstin Weidner
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susan Garthus-Niegel
- Institute and Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Institute for Systems Medicine (ISM), Faculty of Medicine, Medical School Hamburg MSH, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Childhood and Families, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Susann Steudte-Schmiedgen
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Johnsen AM, Theodorsson E, Broström A, Wagman P, Fransson EI. Work-related factors and hair cortisol concentrations among men and women in emergency medical services in Sweden. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12877. [PMID: 37553457 PMCID: PMC10409737 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40076-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Ambulance personnel in emergency medical services are exposed to physical demands and stress during work, and an increased prevalence of ill health has been observed in this group. The aim was to compare hair cortisol concentration (HCC) among Swedish ambulance personnel with HCC in a population-based reference sample, to analyse differences between women and men, and differences due to work-related factors. Samples of hair 1 cm closest to the skin (5-10 mg) were collected and analysed for cortisol by radioimmunoassay. Moreover, the participants responded to a questionnaire regarding their work environment. The HCC among the ambulance personnel did not differ from the HCC in the population-based reference sample (median 19.2 vs. 22.2 pg/mg, p = 0.319), nor were there statistically significant differences between women and men. Furthermore, no associations were found between HCC and physical and psychosocial work demands, work stress, or rest and recovery from work. However, occupational balance was positively correlated with HCC (rp = 0.240; p = 0.044). The association remained statistically significant after adjustment for sex, age, hair bleaching, and corticosteroid treatment in a linear regression model. This study adds knowledge regarding HCC among ambulance personnel, and thus contributes to the overall picture of work environment and health for this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Johnsen
- Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
| | - Elvar Theodorsson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Clinical Chemistry, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anders Broström
- Department of Nursing, School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Petra Wagman
- Department of Rehabilitation, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
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Barba SV, Kirschbaum C, Gao W. Endocannabinoid and perceived stress: Association analysis of endocannabinoid levels in hair versus levels in plasma and urine. Biol Psychol 2023; 178:108541. [PMID: 36918140 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108541] [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: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is considered to play a role in a wide range of functions, including stress. Hair analysis of endocannabinoids presents a promising methodological advancement for the retrospective assessment of long-term cumulative endocannabinoid secretion. Despite promising pilot study results suggesting the usefulness of hair endocannabinoid assessments, it remains unclear whether hair endocannabinoid levels mirror systemic endocannabinoid levels accurately. Two independent studies were conducted to investigate to what extent hair endocannabinoid and N-Acylethanolamine levels reflect the systemic levels retrospectively. Endocannabinoid and N-Acylethanolamine levels were measured in 3 cm and 1 cm hair segments respectively, and compared with the averaged levels in multiple plasma samples collected during three months (Study I), and in multiple 24-hour urine samples collected over a month (Study II). In addition, the Perceived Stress Scale was used to assess the perceived stress throughout the studies. Against our hypothesis, no association was found between the endocannabinoid or N-Acylethanolamine levels in hair and plasma or urine. However, hair palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), and stearoylethanolamide (SEA) levels were positively correlated with perceived stress in Study I. The current findings suggest that hair endocannabinoid or N-Acylethanolamine levels might not accurately reflect the levels of peripheral circulating endocannabinoid or N-Acylethanolamine. Nevertheless, hair N-Acylethanolamine levels might emerge as a useful strategy in the study of some psychological phenotypes, such as stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Valdivieso Barba
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Wei Gao
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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7
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Hen-Shoval D, Moshe L, Indig-Naimer T, Mechoulam R, Shoval G, Zalsman G, Kogan NM, Weller A. Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Blockade Prevents Anti-Depressive-like Effect of Cannabidiol Acid Methyl Ester in Female WKY Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043828. [PMID: 36835237 PMCID: PMC9958868 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) is diverse and multi-factorial, yet treatment strategies remain limited. While women are twice as likely to develop the disorder as men, many animal model studies of antidepressant response rely solely on male subjects. The endocannabinoid system has been linked to depression in clinical and pre-clinical studies. Cannabidiolic Acid-Methyl Ester (CBDA-ME, EPM-301) demonstrated anti-depressive-like effects in male rats. Here, we explored acute effects of CBDA-ME and some possible mediating mechanisms, using a depressive-like genetic animal model, the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat. In Experiment 1, Female WKY rats underwent the Forced swim test (FST) following acute CBDA-ME oral ingestion (1/5/10 mg/kg). In Experiment 2, Male and female WKY rats underwent the FST after injection of CB1 (AM-251) and CB2 (AM-630) receptor antagonists 30 min before acute CBDA-ME ingestion (1 mg/kg, males; 5 mg/kg, females). Serum levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), numerous endocannabinoids and hippocampal Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) levels were assessed. Results indicate that females required higher doses of CBDA-ME (5 and 10 mg/kg) to induce an anti-depressive-like effect in the FST. AM-630 blocked the antidepressant-like effect in females, but not in males. The effect of CBDA-ME in females was accompanied by elevated serum BDNF and some endocannabinoids and low hippocampal expression of FAAH. This study shows a sexually diverse behavioral anti-depressive response to CBDA-ME and possible underlying mechanisms in females, supporting its potential use for treating MDD and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Hen-Shoval
- Psychology Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Correspondence: (D.H.-S.); (N.M.K.)
| | - Lital Moshe
- Psychology Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Talia Indig-Naimer
- Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9112002, Israel
| | - Gal Shoval
- Geha Mental Health Center, Petah Tiqva 4910002, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Gil Zalsman
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
- Division of Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Natalya M. Kogan
- Institute of Personalized and Translational Medicine, Molecular Biology, Ariel University, Ariel 4070000, Israel
- Correspondence: (D.H.-S.); (N.M.K.)
| | - Aron Weller
- Psychology Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
- Gonda Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
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Gao W, Anna Valdimarsdóttir U, Hauksdóttir A, Eyrún Torfadóttir J, Kirschbaum C. The assessment of endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamines in human hair: Associations with sociodemographic and psychological variables. Clin Chim Acta 2022; 537:1-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2022.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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9
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Ryan M, Ryznar R. The Molecular Basis of Resilience: A Narrative Review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:856998. [PMID: 35599764 PMCID: PMC9120427 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.856998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Resilience refers to the adaptability of a person - an ability to "bounce-back" from stressors. We question if resilience can be strengthened, potentially to decrease the risk of stress-related disorders. Unfortunately, the molecular origins of resilience are complicated and not yet well understood. In this review, we examine the various physiological biomarkers of resilience, including the associated genes, epigenetic changes, and protein biomarkers associated with resilient phenotypes. In addition to assessing biomarkers that may indicate higher levels of resilience, we also review at length the many biomarkers that confer lower levels of resilience and may lead to disorders of low resilience, such as anxiety and depression. This large and encompassing review may help to identify the possible therapeutic targets of resilience. Hopefully these studies will lead to a future where stress-related disorders can be prevented, rather than treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Ryan
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO, United States
| | - Rebecca Ryznar
- Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University, Parker, CO, United States
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Gao W, Schmidt K, Enge S, Kirschbaum C. Intra-individual stability of hair endocannabinoid and N-acylethanolamine concentrations. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 133:105395. [PMID: 34482257 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Hair analysis of endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamines presents a promising methodological advancement for the retrospective assessment of long-term cumulative endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamines secretion over extended periods of time. A main assumption of this method application that hair endocannabinoid and N-acylethanolamine concentrations show intra-individual stability has not been confirmed yet. Thus, in the current study hair endocannabinoid and N-acylethanolamine levels were measured over a period of two and a half years with six months between each hair sample collection in 100 female participants. We found strong test-retest associations of hair endocannabinoid and N-acylethanolamine levels with intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.79 and 0.92. Furthermore, no correlations between perceived stress and hair endocannabinoids or N-acylethanolamines was observed. The current findings support the notion that endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamines in hair are rather trait biomarkers that are stable over a considerable period of time rather than rapidly changing state markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Gao
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Kornelius Schmidt
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sören Enge
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Psychology, Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Clemens Kirschbaum
- Faculty of Psychology, Chair of Biological Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Voegel CD, Kroll SL, Schmid MW, Kexel AK, Baumgartner MR, Kraemer T, Binz TM, Quednow BB. Alterations of Stress-Related Glucocorticoids and Endocannabinoids in Hair of Chronic Cocaine Users. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 25:226-237. [PMID: 34676867 PMCID: PMC8929753 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research in animals and humans has demonstrated a potential role of stress regulatory systems, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the endocannabinoid (eCB) system, in the development of substance use disorders. We thus investigated alterations of HPA and eCB markers in individuals with chronic cocaine use disorder by using an advanced hair analysis technique. METHODS We compared hair concentrations of glucocorticoids (cortisone, cortisol) and the eCBs 2-arachidonylglycerol, anandamide (AEA), oleoylethanolamide (OEA), and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) between 48 recreational cocaine users (RCU), 25 dependent cocaine users (DCU), and 67 stimulant-naïve controls. Self-reported substance use and hair concentrations of substances were also assessed. RESULTS Significantly higher concentrations of hair cortisone were found in RCU and DCU compared with controls. Hair concentrations of OEA and PEA were significantly lower in DCU compared with RCU and controls. Additionally, within cocaine users, elevated cocaine hair concentration was a significant predictor for increased glucocorticoid and decreased OEA hair levels. Moreover, higher 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine hair concentration was correlated with elevated cortisone and AEA, OEA, and PEA levels in hair within cocaine users, whereas more self-reported cannabis use was associated with lower eCBs levels in hair across the total sample. CONCLUSION Our findings support the hypothesis that the HPA axis and eCB system might be important regulators for substance use disorders. The mechanistic understanding of changes in glucocorticoid and eCB levels in future research might be a promising pharmacological target to reduce stress-induced craving and relapse specifically in cocaine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa D Voegel
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sara L Kroll
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,Center for Social and Affective Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | | | - Ann-Kathrin Kexel
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kraemer
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology and Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tina M Binz
- Center for Forensic Hair Analytics, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Boris B Quednow
- Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland,Correspondence: B. B. Quednow, PhD, Experimental and Clinical Pharmacopsychology, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Zurich, Lenggstrasse 31, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland ()
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12
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Hair-based biomarkers in women with major depressive disorder: Glucocorticoids, endocannabinoids, N-acylethanolamines, and testosterone. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2021; 7:100068. [PMID: 35757050 PMCID: PMC9216461 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2021.100068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stress-related alterations in the regulation of several endocrine systems, including the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and -gonadal (HPG) axes and the endocannabinoid system are proposed to be involved in the etiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Therefore, this study examines whether altered concentrations of glucocorticoids, testosterone, endocannabinoids, and related N-acylethanolamines accumulated in hair are present in MDD. Methods Female participants (range: 19–59, Mdn = 30.5 years) were recruited, including n = 21 with a current MDD episode and n = 27 nondepressed controls without any current mental disorder. Weight-standardized samples of 3 cm hair segments were analyzed which equals to three months of retrospectively assessed biomarkers in hair. Concentrations of cortisol, cortisone, testosterone, endocannabinoids (i.e., anandamide [AEA], 2-arachidonylglycerol [2-AG]), and selected N-acylethanolamines (i.e., stearoylethanolamide [SEA], oleoylethanolamide [OEA], palmitoylethanolamide [PEA]) were measured using mass spectrometry. Results Female MDD patients exhibited lower cortisol and cortisone levels in hair than nondepressed controls, whereas the hair concentrations of endocannabinoids, N-acylethanolamines, and testosterone did not differ between the groups. Conclusions Our results add to the heterogeneous body of findings on alterations in hair-stored glucocorticoids and endocannabinoids in MDD. As in previous studies, there was no evidence of altered testosterone concentrations in the hair of MDD patients. Larger and longitudinal studies are needed to comprehensively explore the overall picture of endocrine alterations in MDD. Analysis of hair-based markers of endocrine alterations in female MDD outpatients. Lower hair cortisol and cortisone concentrations in mild to moderately severe MDD. No differences in endocannabinoid, N-acylethanolamine, and testosterone hair levels. Testosterone and cortisone levels were linked to higher stress/trauma exposure.
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Silveira KM, Wegener G, Joca SRL. Targeting 2-arachidonoylglycerol signalling in the neurobiology and treatment of depression. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 129:3-14. [PMID: 33905617 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is an atypical neurotransmitter synthesized on demand in response to a wide range of stimuli, including exposure to stress. Through the activation of cannabinoid receptors, 2-AG can interfere with excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in different brain regions and modulate behavioural, endocrine and emotional components of the stress response. Exposure to chronic or intense unpredictable stress predisposes to maladaptive behaviour and is one of the main risk factors involved in developing mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD). In this review, we describe the molecular mechanisms involved in 2-AG signalling in the brain of healthy and stressed animals and discuss how such mechanisms could modulate stress adaptation and susceptibility to depression. Furthermore, we review preclinical evidence indicating that the pharmacological modulation of 2-AG signalling stands as a potential new therapeutic target in treating MDD. Particular emphasis is given to the pharmacological augmentation of 2-AG levels by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors and the modulation of CB2 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kennia M Silveira
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto (FCFRP), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gregers Wegener
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sâmia R L Joca
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto (FCFRP), University of Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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