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Hebert FO, Mongeau-Pérusse V, Rizkallah E, Mahroug A, Bakouni H, Morissette F, Brissette S, Bruneau J, Dubreucq S, Jutras-Aswad D. Absence of Evidence for Sustained Effects of Daily Cannabidiol Administration on Anandamide Plasma Concentration in Individuals with Cocaine Use Disorder: Exploratory Findings from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024. [PMID: 38770686 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) has been proposed to have a therapeutic potential over a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. Pre-clinical evidence suggests that CBD can increase anandamide (AEA) plasma concentration, possibly mediating some of its therapeutic properties. Whether CBD exerts such an effect on AEA in individuals with cocaine use disorder (CUD) remains unknown. Aims: To explore the sustained effects of daily CBD administration on AEA plasma concentrations compared with placebo in CUD. Methods: We used data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating CBD's efficacy in CUD. Seventy-eight individuals were randomized to receive a daily oral dose of 800 mg CBD (n = 40) or a placebo (n = 38). Participants stayed in an inpatient detoxification setting for 10 days, after which they were followed in an outpatient setting for 12 weeks. AEA plasma concentration was measured at baseline and at 23-h post CBD ingestion on day 8 and week 4. A generalized estimating equation model was used to assess CBD's effects on AEA, and sensitivity analyses were computed using Bayesian linear regressions. Results: Sixty-four participants were included in the analysis. Similar mean AEA plasma concentrations in both treatment groups (p = 0.357) were observed. At day 8, mean AEA plasma concentrations (± standard deviation) were 0.26 (± 0.07) ng/mL in the CBD group and 0.29 (± 0.08) ng/mL in the placebo group (p = 0.832; Bayes factor [BF] = 0.190). At week 4, they were 0.27 (± 0.09) ng/mL in the CBD group and 0.30 (± 0.09) ng/mL in the placebo group (p = 0.181; BF = 0.194). Conclusion: While not excluding any potential acute and short-term effect, daily CBD administration did not exert a sustained impact on AEA plasma concentrations in individuals with CUD compared with placebo. Registration: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02559167).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Violaine Mongeau-Pérusse
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Elie Rizkallah
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Amani Mahroug
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
| | - Hamzah Bakouni
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Florence Morissette
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Suzanne Brissette
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Simon Dubreucq
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Research Center, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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2
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Haller J. Anxiety Modulation by Cannabinoids-The Role of Stress Responses and Coping. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15777. [PMID: 37958761 PMCID: PMC10650718 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids were implicated in a variety of pathological conditions including anxiety and are considered promising new targets for anxiolytic drug development. The optimism concerning the potentials of this system for anxiolysis is probably justified. However, the complexity of the mechanisms affected by endocannabinoids, and discrepant findings obtained with various experimental approaches makes the interpretation of research results difficult. Here, we review the anxiety-related effects of the three main interventions used to study the endocannabinoid system: pharmacological agents active at endocannabinoid-binding sites present on both the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm, genetic manipulations targeting cannabinoid receptors, and function-enhancers represented by inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation and transport. Binding-site ligands provide inconsistent findings probably because they activate a multitude of mechanisms concomitantly. More robust findings were obtained with genetic manipulations and particularly with function enhancers, which heighten ongoing endocannabinoid activation rather than affecting all mechanisms indiscriminately. The enhancement of ongoing activity appears to ameliorate stress-induced anxiety without consistent effects on anxiety in general. Limited evidence suggests that this effect is achieved by promoting active coping styles in critical situations. These findings suggest that the functional enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling is a promising drug development target for stress-related anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- József Haller
- Drug Research Institute, 1137 Budapest, Hungary;
- Department of Criminal Psychology, University of Public Service, 1082 Budapest, Hungary
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3
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Alegre-Zurano L, García-Baos A, Castro-Zavala A, Medrano M, Gallego-Landin I, Valverde O. The FAAH inhibitor URB597 reduces cocaine intake during conditioned punishment and mitigates cocaine seeking during withdrawal. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115194. [PMID: 37499453 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is prominently implicated in the control of cocaine reinforcement due to its relevant role in synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter modulation in the mesocorticolimbic system. The inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and the resulting increase in anandamide and other N-acylethanolamines, represents a promising strategy for reducing drug seeking. In the present study, we aimed to assess the effects of the FAAH inhibitor URB597 (1 mg/kg) on crucial features of cocaine addictive-like behaviour in mice. Therefore, we tested the effects of URB597 on acquisition of cocaine (0.6 mg/kg/inf) self-administration, compulsive-like cocaine intake and cue-induced drug-seeking behaviour during withdrawal. URB597 reduced cocaine intake under conditioned punishment while having no impact on acquisition. This result was associated to increased cannabinoid receptor 1 gene expression in the ventral striatum and medium spiny neurons activation in the nucleus accumbens shell. Moreover, URB597 mitigated cue-induced drug-seeking behaviour during prolonged abstinence and prevented the withdrawal-induced increase in FAAH gene expression in the ventral striatum. In this case, URB597 decreased activation of medium spiny neurons in the nucleus accumbens core. Our findings evidence the prominent role of endocannabinoids in the development of cocaine addictive-like behaviours and support the potential of FAAH inhibition as a therapeutical target for the treatment of cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Alegre-Zurano
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba García-Baos
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Neuroscience Research Program, IMIM-Hospital Del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adriana Castro-Zavala
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Medrano
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ines Gallego-Landin
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Valverde
- Neurobiology of Behaviour Research Group (GReNeC-NeuroBio), Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Neuroscience Research Program, IMIM-Hospital Del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.
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4
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Mangiatordi GF, Cavalluzzi MM, Delre P, Lamanna G, Lumuscio MC, Saviano M, Majoral JP, Mignani S, Duranti A, Lentini G. Endocannabinoid Degradation Enzyme Inhibitors as Potential Antipsychotics: A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020469. [PMID: 36831006 PMCID: PMC9953700 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020469] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a very important role in numerous physiological and pharmacological processes, such as those related to the central nervous system (CNS), including learning, memory, emotional processing, as well pain control, inflammatory and immune response, and as a biomarker in certain psychiatric disorders. Unfortunately, the half-life of the natural ligands responsible for these effects is very short. This perspective describes the potential role of the inhibitors of the enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL), which are mainly responsible for the degradation of endogenous ligands in psychic disorders and related pathologies. The examination was carried out considering both the impact that the classical exogenous ligands such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and (-)-trans-cannabidiol (CBD) have on the ECS and through an analysis focused on the possibility of predicting the potential toxicity of the inhibitors before they are subjected to clinical studies. In particular, cardiotoxicity (hERG liability), probably the worst early adverse reaction studied during clinical studies focused on acute toxicity, was predicted, and some of the most used and robust metrics available were considered to select which of the analyzed compounds could be repositioned as possible oral antipsychotics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Maddalena Cavalluzzi
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Pietro Delre
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy, Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lamanna
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy, Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Lumuscio
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy, Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Saviano
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre Majoral
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination du CNRS, 205 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 4, 31077 Toulouse, France
- Université Toulouse, 118 Route de Narbonne, CEDEX 4, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Serge Mignani
- CERMN (Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur le Médicament de Normandie), Université de Caen, 14032 Caen, France
- CQM—Centro de Química da Madeira, MMRG (Molecular Materials Research Group), Campus da Penteada, Universidade da Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
| | - Andrea Duranti
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Piazza del Rinascimento 6, 61029 Urbino, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0722-303501
| | - Giovanni Lentini
- Department of Pharmacy—Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
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5
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Vallés AS, Barrantes FJ. Interactions between the Nicotinic and Endocannabinoid Receptors at the Plasma Membrane. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:812. [PMID: 36005727 PMCID: PMC9414690 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12080812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Compartmentalization, together with transbilayer and lateral asymmetries, provide the structural foundation for functional specializations at the cell surface, including the active role of the lipid microenvironment in the modulation of membrane-bound proteins. The chemical synapse, the site where neurotransmitter-coded signals are decoded by neurotransmitter receptors, adds another layer of complexity to the plasma membrane architectural intricacy, mainly due to the need to accommodate a sizeable number of molecules in a minute subcellular compartment with dimensions barely reaching the micrometer. In this review, we discuss how nature has developed suitable adjustments to accommodate different types of membrane-bound receptors and scaffolding proteins via membrane microdomains, and how this "effort-sharing" mechanism has evolved to optimize crosstalk, separation, or coupling, where/when appropriate. We focus on a fast ligand-gated neurotransmitter receptor, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and a second-messenger G-protein coupled receptor, the cannabinoid receptor, as a paradigmatic example.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofía Vallés
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (UNS-CONICET), Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Francisco J. Barrantes
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biomedical Research (BIOMED), UCA-CONICET, Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina
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6
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Hammad AM, Meknas SJ, Hall FS, Hikmat S, Sari Y, Al-Qirim TM, Alfaraj M, Amawi H. Effects of waterpipe tobacco smoke and ceftriaxone treatment on the expression of endocannabinoid receptors in mesocorticolimbic brain regions. Brain Res Bull 2022; 185:56-63. [PMID: 35490908 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.04.014] [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: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic tobacco exposure can alter the endocannabinoid (eCB) system, consequently leading to an anxiety state. In this study, we investigated the effects of waterpipe tobacco smoke (WTS) on cannabinoid receptor 1 and 2 (CBR1 and CBR2) gene and protein expression in mesocorticolimbic brain regions. Using elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests, the effects of WTS exposure on withdrawal-induced anxiety-like behavior were examined. The effect of ceftriaxone (CEF), a β-lactam known to upregulate glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1), on anxiety and the expression of cannabinoid receptors was also determined. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: 1) the Control group was exposed only to standard room air; 2) the WTS group was exposed to tobacco smoke and treated with saline vehicle; 3) the WTS-CEF group was exposed to WTS and treated with ceftriaxone; and 4) the CEF group was exposed only to standard room air and treated with ceftriaxone. Rats were exposed to WTS (or room air) for two hours per day, five days per week for a period of four weeks. Behavioral tests (EPM and OF) were conducted weekly during acute withdrawal, 24 h following WTS exposure. Rats were given either saline or ceftriaxone (200 mg/kg i.p.) for five days during Week 4, 30 min prior to WTS exposure. Withdrawal-induced anxiety was induced by WTS exposure but was reduced by ceftriaxone treatment. WTS exposure decreased CBR1 mRNA and protein expression in the NAc and VTA, but not PFC, and ceftriaxone treatment attenuated these effects. WTS exposure did not change CBR2 mRNA expression in the NAc, VTA, or PFC. These findings demonstrate that WTS exposure dysregulated the endocannabinoid system and increased anxiety-like behavior, and these effects were reversed by ceftriaxone treatment, which suggest the involvement of glutamate transporter 1 in these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Hammad
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
| | - Sara Jamal Meknas
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - F Scott Hall
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Suhair Hikmat
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Youssef Sari
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - T M Al-Qirim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Malek Alfaraj
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Haneen Amawi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan
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7
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Green DGJ, Westwood DJ, Kim J, Best LM, Kish SJ, Tyndale RF, McCluskey T, Lobaugh NJ, Boileau I. Fatty acid amide hydrolase levels in brain linked with threat-related amygdala activation. NEUROIMAGE. REPORTS 2022; 2:100094. [PMID: 37235067 PMCID: PMC10206405 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynirp.2022.100094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background Preclinical evidence suggests that increasing levels of the major endocannabinoid anandamide decreases anxiety and fear responses potentially through its effects in the amygdala. Here we used neuroimaging to test the hypothesis that lower fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the main catabolic enzyme for anandamide, is associated with a blunted amygdala response to threat. Methods Twenty-eight healthy participants completed a positron emission tomography (PET) scan with the radiotracer for FAAH, [11C]CURB, as well as a block-design functional magnetic resonance imaging session during which angry and fearful faces meant to activate the amygdala were presented. Results [11C]CURB binding in the amygdala as well as in the medial prefrontal cortex, cingulate and hippocampus correlated positively with blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal during processing of angry and fearful faces (pFWE < 0.05). Conclusion Our finding that lower levels of FAAH in amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex, cingulate and hippocampus was associated with a dampened amygdala response to a threatening social cue aligns with preclinical and neuroimaging studies in humans and suggests the involvement of FAAH in modulating stress and anxiety in humans. The current neuroimaging study also lends support for the potential use of FAAH inhibitors to control amygdala hyperactivity, which is known to be involved in the pathophysiology of anxiety and trauma-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan GJ. Green
- Addiction Imaging Research Group, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Jinhee Kim
- Departments of Psychiatry, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Korea University, Republic of Korea
| | - Laura M. Best
- Addiction Imaging Research Group, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stephen J. Kish
- Human Brain Lab, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Canada
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry, Canada
- Pharmacology & Toxicology, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rachel F. Tyndale
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry, Canada
- Pharmacology & Toxicology, Canada
| | - Tina McCluskey
- Human Brain Lab, Canada
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nancy J. Lobaugh
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Canada
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Isabelle Boileau
- Addiction Imaging Research Group, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Canada
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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8
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Navarrete F, García-Gutiérrez MS, Gasparyan A, Navarro D, López-Picón F, Morcuende Á, Femenía T, Manzanares J. Biomarkers of the Endocannabinoid System in Substance Use Disorders. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030396. [PMID: 35327588 PMCID: PMC8946268 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite substance use disorders (SUD) being one of the leading causes of disability and mortality globally, available therapeutic approaches remain ineffective. The difficulty in accurately characterizing the neurobiological mechanisms involved with a purely qualitative diagnosis is an obstacle to improving the classification and treatment of SUD. In this regard, identifying central and peripheral biomarkers is essential to diagnosing the severity of drug dependence, monitoring therapeutic efficacy, predicting treatment response, and enhancing the development of safer and more effective pharmacological tools. In recent years, the crucial role that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays in regulating the reinforcing and motivational properties of drugs of abuse has been described. This has led to studies characterizing ECS alterations after exposure to various substances to identify biomarkers with potential diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic utility. This review aims to compile the primary evidence available from rodent and clinical studies on how the ECS components are modified in the context of different substance-related disorders, gathering data from genetic, molecular, functional, and neuroimaging experimental approaches. Finally, this report concludes that additional translational research is needed to further characterize the modifications of the ECS in the context of SUD, and their potential usefulness in the necessary search for biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Navarrete
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - María S. García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ani Gasparyan
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniela Navarro
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco López-Picón
- PET Preclinical Imaging Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland;
| | - Álvaro Morcuende
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
| | - Teresa Femenía
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Manzanares
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Avda. de Ramón y Cajal s/n, San Juan de Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain; (F.N.); (M.S.G.-G.); (A.G.); (D.N.); (Á.M.); (T.F.)
- Departamento de Medicina Clínica, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de Alicante (ISABIAL), Universidad Miguel Hernández, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Redes de Investigación Cooperativa Orientada a Resultados en Salud (RICORS), Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones (RIAPAd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MICINN and FEDER, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-965-919-248
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9
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Karimi-Haghighi S, Razavi Y, Iezzi D, Scheyer AF, Manzoni O, Haghparast A. Cannabidiol and substance use disorder: Dream or reality. Neuropharmacology 2022; 207:108948. [PMID: 35032495 PMCID: PMC9157244 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.108948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the major constituents of Cannabis sativa L. that lacks psychotomimetic and rewarding properties and inhibits the rewarding and reinforcing effects of addictive drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine (METH), and morphine. Additionally, CBD's safety profile and therapeutic potential are currently evaluated in several medical conditions, including pain, depression, movement disorders, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, ischemia, and substance use disorder. There is no effective treatment for substance use disorders such as addiction, and this review aims to describe preclinical and clinical investigations into the effects of CBD in various models of opioid, psychostimulant, cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine abuse. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of CBD on drug abuse disorders are reviewed. METHODS The current review considers and summarizes the preclinical and clinical investigations into CBD's effects in various models of drug abuse include opioids, psychostimulants, cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine. RESULTS Several preclinical and clinical studies have proposed that CBD may be a reliable agent to inhibit the reinforcing and rewarding impact of drugs. CONCLUSIONS While the currently available evidence converges to suggest that CBD could effectively reduce the rewarding and reinforcing effects of addictive drugs, more preclinical and clinical studies are needed before CBD can be added to the therapeutic arsenal for treating addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeideh Karimi-Haghighi
- Clinical Neurology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasaman Razavi
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Daniela Iezzi
- INMED, INSERM U1249, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Andrew F Scheyer
- INMED, INSERM U1249, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Manzoni
- INMED, INSERM U1249, Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Abbas Haghparast
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Saravia R, Ten-Blanco M, Pereda-Pérez I, Berrendero F. New Insights in the Involvement of the Endocannabinoid System and Natural Cannabinoids in Nicotine Dependence. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:13316. [PMID: 34948106 PMCID: PMC8715672 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotine, the main psychoactive component in tobacco smoke, plays a major role in tobacco addiction, producing a high morbidity and mortality in the world. A great amount of research has been developed to elucidate the neural pathways and neurotransmitter systems involved in such a complex addictive behavior. The endocannabinoid system, which has been reported to participate in the addictive properties of most of the prototypical drugs of abuse, is also implicated in nicotine dependence. This review summarizes and updates the main behavioral and biochemical data involving the endocannabinoid system in the rewarding properties of nicotine as well as in nicotine withdrawal and relapse to nicotine-seeking behavior. Promising results from preclinical studies suggest that manipulation of the endocannabinoid system could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating nicotine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Saravia
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, PRBB, 08003 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Marc Ten-Blanco
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, UFV, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.-B.); (I.P.-P.)
| | - Inmaculada Pereda-Pérez
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, UFV, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.-B.); (I.P.-P.)
| | - Fernando Berrendero
- Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, UFV, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.-B.); (I.P.-P.)
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Smith LC, Tieu L, Suhandynata RT, Boomhower B, Hoffman M, Sepulveda Y, Carrette LLG, Momper JD, Fitzgerald RL, Hanham K, Dowling J, Kallupi M, George O. Cannabidiol reduces withdrawal symptoms in nicotine-dependent rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:2201-2211. [PMID: 33909102 PMCID: PMC8295227 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05845-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Cannabidiol (CBD) reduces craving in animal models of alcohol and cocaine use and is known to modulate nicotinic receptor function, suggesting that it may alleviate symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. However, preclinical evaluation of its efficacy is still lacking. OBJECTIVES The goal of this study was to test the preclinical efficacy of a chronic CBD treatment in reducing nicotine dependence using measures of withdrawal symptoms including somatic signs, hyperalgesia, and weight gain during acute and protracted abstinence. METHODS Male and female Wistar rats were made dependent on nicotine using osmotic minipumps (3.15 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks, after which minipumps were removed to induce spontaneous withdrawal. Three groups received CBD injections at doses of 7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, starting 1 week into chronic nicotine infusion. The control groups included rats with nicotine minipumps that received vehicle injections of sesame oil instead of CBD; rats implanted with saline minipumps received sesame oil injections (double vehicle) or the highest dose of CBD 30 mg/kg/day. Throughout the experiment, serum was collected for determination of CBD and nicotine concentrations, mechanical sensitivity threshold and withdrawal scores were measured, and body weight was recorded. RESULTS CBD prevented rats from exhibiting somatic signs of withdrawal and hyperalgesia during acute and protracted abstinence. There was no dose-response observed for CBD, suggesting a ceiling effect at the doses used and the potential for lower effective doses of CBD. The saline minipump group did not show either somatic signs of withdrawal or hyperalgesia during acute and protracted abstinence, and the highest dose of CBD used (30 mg/kg/day) did not alter these results. CONCLUSIONS This preclinical study suggests that using CBD as a strategy to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms upon nicotine cessation may be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA,, 92093, USA
| | - Lani Tieu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA,, 92093, USA
| | - Raymond T Suhandynata
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Brent Boomhower
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA,, 92093, USA
| | - Melissa Hoffman
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Yadira Sepulveda
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Lieselot L G Carrette
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA,, 92093, USA
| | - Jeremiah D Momper
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Robert L Fitzgerald
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kate Hanham
- CV Sciences, Inc., 10070 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Joseph Dowling
- CV Sciences, Inc., 10070 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Marsida Kallupi
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA,, 92093, USA.
| | - Olivier George
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA,, 92093, USA.
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12
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Green DGJ, Kim J, Kish SJ, Tyndale RF, Hill MN, Strafella AP, Tong J, McCluskey T, Westwood DJ, Houle S, Lobaugh NJ, Boileau I. Fatty acid amide hydrolase binding is inversely correlated with amygdalar functional connectivity: a combined positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging study in healthy individuals. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2021; 46:E238-E246. [PMID: 33729738 PMCID: PMC8061733 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.200010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Upregulation of the endocannabinoid enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has been linked to abnormal activity in frontoamygdalar circuits, a hallmark of posttraumatic stress disorder. We tested the hypothesis that FAAH levels in the amygdala were negatively correlated with functional connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, subserving stress and affect control. METHODS Thirty-one healthy participants completed positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with the FAAH probe [C-11]CURB, and resting-state functional MRI scans. Participants were genotyped for the FAAH polymorphism rs324420, and trait neuroticism was assessed. We calculated amygdala functional connectivity using predetermined regions of interest (including the subgenual ventromedial prefrontal cortex [sgvmPFC] and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex [dACC]) and a seed-to-voxel approach. We conducted correlation analyses on functional connectivity, with amygdala [C-11]CURB binding as a variable of interest. RESULTS The strength of amygdala functional connectivity with the sgvmPFC and dACC was negatively correlated with [C-11]CURB binding in the amygdala (sgvmPFC: r = -0.38, q = 0.04; dACC: r = -0.44; q = 0.03). Findings were partly replicated using the seed-to-voxel approach, which showed a cluster in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, including voxels in the dACC but not the sgvmPFC (cluster-level, family-wise error rate corrected p < 0.05). LIMITATIONS We did not replicate earlier findings of a relationship between an FAAH polymorphism (rs324420) and amygdala functional connectivity. CONCLUSION Our data provide preliminary evidence that lower levels of FAAH in the amygdala relate to increased frontoamygdalar functional coupling. Our findings were consistent with the role of FAAH in regulating brain circuits that underlie fear and emotion processing in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan G J Green
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Jinhee Kim
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Stephen J Kish
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Rachel F Tyndale
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Matthew N Hill
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Antonio P Strafella
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Junchao Tong
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Tina McCluskey
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Duncan J Westwood
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Sylvain Houle
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Nancy J Lobaugh
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
| | - Isabelle Boileau
- From the Addiction Imaging Research Group, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Westwood, Boileau); the Human Brain Lab, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tong, McCluskey); the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Ont., Canada (Kim, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kim, Kish, Strafella, Tong, McCluskey, Houle, Lobaugh); the Departments of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale, Strafella, Houle, Boileau); the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Kish, Tyndale); the Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Green, Kish, Houle, Lobaugh, Boileau); the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy & Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta., Canada (Hill); the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit and E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Strafella); and the Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada (Lobaugh)
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Druggable Targets in Endocannabinoid Signaling. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1274:177-201. [PMID: 32894511 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-50621-6_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis and cannabinoid-based extracts have long been utilized for their perceived therapeutic value, and support for the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes continues to increase worldwide. Since the discovery of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as the primary psychoactive component of cannabis over 50 years ago, substantial effort has been directed toward detection of endogenous mediators of cannabinoid activity. The discovery of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol as two endogenous lipid mediators of cannabinoid-like effects (endocannabinoids) has inspired exponential growth in our understanding of this essential pathway, as well as the pathological conditions that result from dysregulated endocannabinoid signaling. This review examines current knowledge of the endocannabinoid system including metabolic enzymes involved in biosynthesis and degradation and their receptors, and evaluates potential druggable targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Smith LC, George O. Advances in smoking cessation pharmacotherapy: Non-nicotinic approaches in animal models. Neuropharmacology 2020; 178:108225. [PMID: 32758566 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The landscape of worldwide tobacco use is changing, with a decrease in traditional smoking and an exponential rise in electronic cigarette use. No new nicotine cessation pharmacotherapies have come to market in the last 10 years. The current therapies that have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for nicotine cessation include nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, and the atypical antidepressant bupropion. Nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline both act on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Bupropion inhibits the dopamine transporter, the norepinephrine transporter, and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors to inhibit smoking behavior. Notwithstanding these treatments, rates of successful nicotine cessation in clinical trials remain low. Recent pharmacological approaches to improve nicotine cessation rates in animal models have turned their focus away from activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The present review focuses on such pharmacological approaches, including nicotine vaccines, anti-nicotine antibodies, nicotine-degrading enzymes, cannabinoids, and metformin. Both immunopharmacological and enzymatic approaches rely on restricting and degrading nicotine within the periphery, thus preventing psychoactive effects of nicotine on the central nervous system. In contrast, pharmacologic inhibition of the enzymes which degrade nicotine could affect smoking behavior. Cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists interact with the dopamine reward pathway and show efficacy in reducing nicotine addiction-like behaviors in preclinical studies. Metformin is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of diabetes. It activates specific intracellular kinases that may protect against the lower metabolism, higher oxidation, and inflammation that are associated with nicotine withdrawal. Further studies are needed to investigate non-nicotinic targets to improve the treatment of tobacco use disorder. This article is part of the special issue on 'Contemporary Advances in Nicotine Neuropharmacology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Olivier George
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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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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16
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Grillo A, Chemi G, Brogi S, Brindisi M, Relitti N, Fezza F, Fazio D, Castelletti L, Perdona E, Wong A, Lamponi S, Pecorelli A, Benedusi M, Fantacci M, Valoti M, Valacchi G, Micheli F, Novellino E, Campiani G, Butini S, Maccarrone M, Gemma S. Development of novel multipotent compounds modulating endocannabinoid and dopaminergic systems. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 183:111674. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Activation of PPARγ Attenuates the Expression of Physical and Affective Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms through Mechanisms Involving Amygdala and Hippocampus Neurotransmission. J Neurosci 2019; 39:9864-9875. [PMID: 31685649 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1922-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
An isoform of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), PPARγ, is the receptor for the thiazolidinedione class of anti-diabetic medications including pioglitazone. Neuroanatomical data indicate PPARγ localization in brain areas involved in drug addiction. Preclinical and clinical data have shown that pioglitazone reduces alcohol and opioid self-administration, relapse to drug seeking, and plays a role in emotional responses. Here, we investigated the behavioral effect of PPARγ manipulation on nicotine withdrawal in male Wistar rats and in male mice with neuron-specific PPARγ deletion (PPARγ(-/-)) and their littermate wild-type (PPARγ(+/+)) controls. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR and RNAscope in situ hybridization assays were used for assessing the levels of expression and cell-type localization of PPARγ during nicotine withdrawal. Brain site-specific microinjections of the PPARγ agonist pioglitazone were performed to explore the role of this system on nicotine withdrawal at a neurocircuitry level. Results showed that activation of PPARγ by pioglitazone abolished the expression of somatic and affective nicotine withdrawal signs in rats and in (PPARγ(+/+)) mice. This effect was blocked by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662. During early withdrawal and protracted abstinence, the expression of PPARγ increased in GABAergic and glutamatergic cells of the amygdala and hippocampus, respectively. Hippocampal microinjections of pioglitazone reduced the expression of the physical signs of withdrawal, whereas excessive anxiety associated with protracted abstinence was prevented by pioglitazone microinjection into the amygdala. Our results demonstrate the implication of the neuronal PPARγ in nicotine withdrawal and indicates that activation of PPARγ may offer an interesting strategy for smoking cessation.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Smoking cessation leads the occurrence of physical and affective withdrawal symptoms representing a major burden to quit tobacco use. Here, we show that activation of PPARγ prevents the expression of both somatic and affective signs of nicotine withdrawal. At molecular levels results show that PPARγ expression increases in GABAergic cells in the hippocampus and in GABA- and glutamate-positive cells in the basolateral amygdala. Hippocampal microinjections of pioglitazone reduce the insurgence of the physical withdrawal signs, whereas anxiety linked to protracted abstinence is attenuated by pioglitazone injected into the amygdala. Our results demonstrate the implication of neuronal PPARγ in nicotine withdrawal and suggest that PPARγ agonism may represent a promising treatment to aid smoking cessation.
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Abstract
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a major public health crisis worldwide, and effective treatment options are limited. During the past 2 decades, researchers have investigated the impact of a variety of pharmacological approaches to treat SUD, one of which is the use of medical cannabis or cannabinoids. Significant progress was made with the discovery of rimonabant, a selective CB1 receptor (CB1R) antagonist (also an inverse agonist), as a promising therapeutic for SUDs and obesity. However, serious adverse effects such as depression and suicidality led to the withdrawal of rimonabant (and almost all other CB1R antagonists/inverse agonists) from clinical trials worldwide in 2008. Since then, much research interest has shifted to other cannabinoid-based strategies, such as peripheral CB1R antagonists/inverse agonists, neutral CB1R antagonists, allosteric CB1R modulators, CB2R agonists, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors, fatty acid binding protein (FABP) inhibitors, or nonaddictive phytocannabinoids with CB1R or CB2R-binding profiles, as new therapeutics for SUDs. In this article, we first review recent progress in research regarding the endocannabinoid systems, cannabis reward versus aversion, and the underlying receptor mechanisms. We then review recent progress in cannabinoid-based medication development for the treatment of SUDs. As evidence continues to accumulate, neutral CB1R antagonists (such as AM4113), CB2R agonists (JWH133, Xie2-64), and nonselective phytocannabinoids (cannabidiol, β-caryophyllene, ∆9-tetrahydrocannabivarin) have shown great therapeutic potential for SUDs, as shown in experimental animals. Several cannabinoid-based medications (e.g., dronabinol, nabilone, PF-04457845) that entered clinical trials have shown promising results in reducing withdrawal symptoms in cannabis and opioid users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Galaj
- Addiction Biology Unit, Molecular Targets and Medication Discoveries Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Zheng-Xiong Xi
- Addiction Biology Unit, Molecular Targets and Medication Discoveries Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
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Scherma M, Masia P, Satta V, Fratta W, Fadda P, Tanda G. Brain activity of anandamide: a rewarding bliss? Acta Pharmacol Sin 2019; 40:309-323. [PMID: 30050084 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-018-0075-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Anandamide is a lipid mediator that acts as an endogenous ligand of CB1 receptors. These receptors are also the primary molecular target responsible for the pharmacological effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive ingredient in Cannabis sativa. Several studies demonstrate that anandamide exerts an overall modulatory effect on the brain reward circuitry. Several reports suggest its involvement in the addiction-producing actions of other abused drugs, and it can also act as a behavioral reinforcer in animal models of drug abuse. Importantly, all these effects of anandamide appear to be potentiated by pharmacological inhibition of its metabolic degradation. Enhanced brain levels of anandamide after treatment with inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase, the main enzyme responsible for its degradation, seem to affect the rewarding and reinforcing actions of many drugs of abuse. In this review, we will provide an overview from a preclinical perspective of the current state of knowledge regarding the behavioral pharmacology of anandamide, with a particular emphasis on its motivational/reinforcing properties. We will also discuss how modulation of anandamide levels through inhibition of enzymatic metabolic pathways could provide a basis for developing new pharmaco-therapeutic tools for the treatment of substance use disorders.
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Domi A, Stopponi S, Domi E, Ciccocioppo R, Cannella N. Sub-dimensions of Alcohol Use Disorder in Alcohol Preferring and Non-preferring Rats, a Comparative Study. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:3. [PMID: 30760988 PMCID: PMC6364792 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent animal models of alcohol use disorder (AUD) are centered in capturing individual vulnerability differences in disease progression. Here, we used genetically selected Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) and Wistars rats to apply a multidimensional model of AUD adapted from a previously described DSM-IV/DSM-5 multisymptomatic cocaine addiction model. As proof of concept, we hypothesized that msP rats, genetically selected for excessive drinking, would be more prone to develop dependence-like behavior compared to Wistars. Before exposure of animals to alcohol, we monitored basal anxiety in the elevated plus maze (EPM). Animals were then trained in prolonged operant alcohol self-administration, consisting of 30-min daily sessions for 60 days in total. Each session consisted of two 10-min periods of alcohol reinforcement separated by 10-min interval of non-reinforcement. Following training, we applied three criteria of individual vulnerability for AUD: (1) persistence of lever pressing for alcohol when it was not available; (2) motivation for alcohol in a progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement; and (3) resistance to punishment when alcohol delivery was anticipated by a foot-shock (0.3 mA). We obtained four groups corresponding to the number of criteria met (0–3 crit). Rats in the 0crit and 1crit groups were characterized as resilient, whereas rats in the 2crit and 3crit groups were characterized as prone to develop a dependent-like phenotype. As predicted, the 2–3crit groups were enriched with msP rats while the 0–1crit groups were enriched in Wistar rats. In further analysis, we calculated the global addiction score (GAS) per subject by the sum of the normalized score (z-score) of each criterion. Results showed GAS was highly correlated with animal distribution within the 3 criteria. Specifically, GAS was negative in the 0–1crit groups, and positive in the 2–3crit groups. A positive correlation between basal anxiety and quantity of alcohol intake was detected in msP rats but not Wistars. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the 0/3criteria model is a suitable approach to study individual differences in AUD and that msP rats, selected for excessive-alcohol drinking, show a higher propensity to develop AUD compared to non-preferring Wistars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Domi
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Serena Stopponi
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Esi Domi
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Nazzareno Cannella
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
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Stopponi S, Fotio Y, Domi A, Borruto AM, Natividad L, Roberto M, Ciccocioppo R, Cannella N. Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase in the central amygdala alleviates co-morbid expression of innate anxiety and excessive alcohol intake. Addict Biol 2018; 23:1223-1232. [PMID: 29071769 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is an enzyme that prominently degrades the major endocannabinoid N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide). Inhibition of this enzyme leads to increased anandamide levels in brain regions that modulate stress and anxiety. Recently, we found that genetically selected Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats display hyperactive FAAH in amygdalar regions that was associated with increased stress sensitivity and a hyper-anxious phenotype. Our previous work has also demonstrated that msPs display an innate preference for and excessive consumption of alcohol, potentially reflecting a form of self-medication to gain relief from hyper-anxious states. Here, we expand on our previous work by microinjecting the selective FAAH inhibitor URB597 (vehicle, 0.03, 0.1 and 1.0 μg per rat) into the central amygdala (CeA) and basolateral amygdala in msP versus non-selected Wistar rats to evaluate the effects of localized FAAH inhibition on operant alcohol self-administration and restraint-induced anxiety using the elevated plus maze. Intra-CeA URB597 significantly reduced alcohol self-administration in msP but not in Wistar rats. Intra-basolateral amygdala URB597 also attenuated alcohol drinking in msPs, although the effect was less pronounced relative to CeA treatment. In contrast, control experiments administering URB597 into the ventral tegmental area produced no genotypic differences in drinking. We also found that URB597 treatment in the CeA significantly reduced the anxiogenic effects of restraint stress in msPs, although no effects were detected in Wistars. Dysregulation of FAAH regulated systems in the major output region of the amygdala may drive the propensity for co-morbid expression of anxiety and excessive alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Stopponi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit; University of Camerino; Camerino Italy
| | - Yannick Fotio
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit; University of Camerino; Camerino Italy
| | - Ana Domi
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit; University of Camerino; Camerino Italy
| | - Anna Maria Borruto
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit; University of Camerino; Camerino Italy
| | - Luis Natividad
- Department of Neuroscience; The Scripps Research Institute; La Jolla CA USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Neuroscience; The Scripps Research Institute; La Jolla CA USA
| | - Roberto Ciccocioppo
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit; University of Camerino; Camerino Italy
| | - Nazzareno Cannella
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit; University of Camerino; Camerino Italy
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De Luca MA, Buczynski MW, Di Chiara G. Loren Parsons' contribution to addiction neurobiology. Addict Biol 2018; 23:1207-1222. [PMID: 29949237 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Loren (Larry) H. Parsons passed away at the age of 51. In spite of his premature departure, Larry much contributed to the drug abuse field. Since his graduate studies for the Ph.D. in Chemistry in J.B. Justice lab, microdialysis is the tread that links Larry's research topics, namely, the role of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate and endocannabinoids (eCBs) in drug reinforcement and dependence. Larry was the first to show that abstinence from chronic cocaine reduces extracellular DA in the NAc, consistent with the so called 'dopamine depletion hypothesis' of cocaine addiction. Another Larry's major contributions are the studies on 5-HT and 5-HT receptors' role in cocaine stimulant actions, which resulted in the identification of 5-HT1B receptors as a critical substrate of cocaine reinforcement. By applying mass spectrometry to eCBs analysis in brain dialysates, Larry's lab showed that ethanol, heroin, nicotine and cocaine differentially affect anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglicerol overflow in the NAc shell, a critical site of drugs of abuse DA stimulant actions. Larry also applied microdialysis to study GABA and glutamate's role in ethanol dependence and heroin reinforcement, providing in vivo evidence for a sensitization of corticotropin-releasing factor-dependent release of GABA in the central amygdala in withdrawal from chronic ethanol and for a reduction of GABA transmission in the ventral pallidum in heroin but not cocaine intravenous self-administration. Larry showed the wide possibilities of microdialysis as a general purpose methodology for monitoring neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in the brain extracellular compartment. From this viewpoint, he stands as the best advocate for microdialysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A. De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
- National Institute of Neuroscience (INN); University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
| | - Matthew W. Buczynski
- School of Neuroscience; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Blacksburg VA 24061 USA
| | - Gaetano Di Chiara
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Neuropsychopharmacology; University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
- National Institute of Neuroscience (INN); University of Cagliari; Cagliari Italy
- National Research Council of Italy; Institute of Neuroscience; Cagliari Italy
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Keyworth H, Georgiou P, Zanos P, Rueda AV, Chen Y, Kitchen I, Camarini R, Cropley M, Bailey A. Wheel running during chronic nicotine exposure is protective against mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal and up-regulates hippocampal α7 nACh receptors in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2018; 175:1928-1943. [PMID: 29266170 PMCID: PMC5978981 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2017] [Revised: 09/17/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Evidence suggests that exercise decreases nicotine withdrawal symptoms in humans; however, the mechanisms mediating this effect are unclear. We investigated, in a mouse model, the effect of exercise intensity during chronic nicotine exposure on nicotine withdrawal severity, binding of α4β2*, α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (nAChR), μ-opioid (μ receptors) and D2 dopamine receptors and on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and plasma corticosterone levels. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Male C57Bl/6J mice treated with nicotine (minipump, 24 mg·kg-1 ·day-1 ) or saline for 14 days underwent one of three concurrent exercise regimes: 24, 2 or 0 h·day-1 voluntary wheel running. Mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal symptoms were assessed on day 14. Quantitative autoradiography of α4β2*, α7 nAChRs, μ receptors and D2 receptor binding was performed in brain sections of these mice. Plasma corticosterone and brain BDNF levels were also measured. KEY RESULTS Nicotine-treated mice undertaking 2 or 24 h·day-1 wheel running displayed a significant reduction in withdrawal symptom severity compared with the sedentary group. Wheel running induced a significant up-regulation of α7 nAChR binding in the CA2/3 area of the hippocampus of nicotine-treated mice. Neither exercise nor nicotine treatment affected μ or D2 receptor binding or BDNF levels. Nicotine withdrawal increased plasma corticosterone levels and α4β2* nAChR binding, irrespective of exercise regimen. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We demonstrated for the first time a profound effect of exercise on α7 nAChRs in nicotine-dependent animals, irrespective of exercise intensity. These findings shed light onto the mechanism underlining the protective effect of exercise on the development of nicotine dependence. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.11/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Keyworth
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
| | - Polymnia Georgiou
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Panos Zanos
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - André Veloso Rueda
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Ying Chen
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Division of Academic PsychiatryKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Ian Kitchen
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
| | - Rosana Camarini
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical SciencesUniversity of São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Mark Cropley
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreySurreyUK
| | - Alexis Bailey
- School of Biosciences and Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of SurreyGuildfordSurreyUK
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical EducationSt George's University of LondonLondonUK
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Enhanced endocannabinoid tone as a potential target of pharmacotherapy. Life Sci 2018; 204:20-45. [PMID: 29729263 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.04.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system is up-regulated in numerous pathophysiological states such as inflammatory, neurodegenerative, gastrointestinal, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, pain, and cancer. It has been suggested that this phenomenon primarily serves an autoprotective role in inhibiting disease progression and/or diminishing signs and symptoms. Accordingly, enhancement of endogenous endocannabinoid tone by inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of many diseases. Importantly, this allows for the avoidance of unwanted psychotropic side effects that accompany exogenously administered cannabinoids. The effects of endocannabinoid metabolic pathway modulation are complex, as endocannabinoids can exert their actions directly or via numerous metabolites. The two main strategies for blocking endocannabinoid degradation are inhibition of endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes and inhibition of endocannabinoid cellular uptake. To date, the most investigated compounds are inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme that degrades the endocannabinoid anandamide. However, application of FAAH inhibitors (and consequently other endocannabinoid degradation inhibitors) in medicine became questionable due to a lack of therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials and serious adverse effects evoked by one specific compound. In this paper, we discuss multiple pathways of endocannabinoid metabolism, changes in endocannabinoid levels across numerous human diseases and corresponding experimental models, pharmacological strategies for enhancing endocannabinoid tone and potential therapeutic applications including multi-target drugs with additional targets outside of the endocannabinoid system (cyclooxygenase-2, cholinesterase, TRPV1, and PGF2α-EA receptors), and currently used medicines or medicinal herbs that additionally enhance endocannabinoid levels. Ultimately, further clinical and preclinical studies are warranted to develop medicines for enhancing endocannabinoid tone.
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Epigenetic mechanisms associated with addiction-related behavioural effects of nicotine and/or cocaine: implication of the endocannabinoid system. Behav Pharmacol 2018; 28:493-511. [PMID: 28704272 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The addictive use of nicotine (NC) and cocaine (COC) continues to be a major public health problem, and their combined use has been reported, particularly during adolescence. In neural plasticity, commonly induced by NC and COC, as well as behavioural plasticity related to the use of these two drugs, the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms, in which the reversible regulation of gene expression occurs independently of the DNA sequence, has recently been reported. Furthermore, on the basis of intense interactions with the target neurotransmitter systems, the endocannabinoid (ECB) system has been considered pivotal for eliciting the effects of NC or COC. The combined use of marijuana with NC and/or COC has also been reported. This article presents the addiction-related behavioural effects of NC and/or COC, based on the common behavioural/neural plasticity and combined use of NC/COC, and reviews the interacting role of the ECB system. The epigenetic processes inseparable from the effects of NC and/or COC (i.e. DNA methylation, histone modifications and alterations in microRNAs) and the putative therapeutic involvement of the ECB system at the epigenetic level are also discussed.
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Becker JA, Kieffer BL, Le Merrer J. Differential behavioral and molecular alterations upon protracted abstinence from cocaine versus morphine, nicotine, THC and alcohol. Addict Biol 2017; 22:1205-1217. [PMID: 27126842 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Unified theories of addiction are challenged by differing drug-seeking behaviors and neurobiological adaptations across drug classes, particularly for narcotics and psychostimulants. We previously showed that protracted abstinence to opiates leads to despair behavior and social withdrawal in mice, and we identified a transcriptional signature in the extended amygdala that was also present in animals abstinent from nicotine, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and alcohol. Here we examined whether protracted abstinence to these four drugs would also share common behavioral features, and eventually differ from abstinence to the prototypic psychostimulant cocaine. We found similar reduced social recognition, increased motor stereotypies and increased anxiety with relevant c-fos response alterations in morphine, nicotine, THC and alcohol abstinent mice. Protracted abstinence to cocaine, however, led to strikingly distinct, mostly opposing adaptations at all levels, including behavioral responses, neuronal activation and gene expression. Together, these data further document the existence of common hallmarks for protracted abstinence to opiates, nicotine, THC and alcohol that develop within motivation/emotion brain circuits. In our model, however, these do not apply to cocaine, supporting the notion of unique mechanisms in psychostimulant abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme A.J. Becker
- Médecine Translationelle et Neurogénétique, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM U-964, CNRS UMR-7104; Université de Strasbourg; France
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA UMR-0085, CNRS UMR-7247; Université de Tours Rabelais; France
| | - Brigitte L. Kieffer
- Médecine Translationelle et Neurogénétique, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM U-964, CNRS UMR-7104; Université de Strasbourg; France
- Douglas Hospital Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine; McGill University; Canada
| | - Julie Le Merrer
- Médecine Translationelle et Neurogénétique, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, INSERM U-964, CNRS UMR-7104; Université de Strasbourg; France
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRA UMR-0085, CNRS UMR-7247; Université de Tours Rabelais; France
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Araque A, Castillo PE, Manzoni OJ, Tonini R. Synaptic functions of endocannabinoid signaling in health and disease. Neuropharmacology 2017. [PMID: 28625718 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are a family of lipid molecules that act as key regulators of synaptic transmission and plasticity. They are synthetized "on demand" following physiological and/or pathological stimuli. Once released from postsynaptic neurons, eCBs typically act as retrograde messengers to activate presynaptic type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1) and induce short- or long-term depression of neurotransmitter release. Besides this canonical mechanism of action, recent findings have revealed a number of less conventional mechanisms by which eCBs regulate neural activity and synaptic function, suggesting that eCB-mediated plasticity is mechanistically more diverse than anticipated. These mechanisms include non-retrograde signaling, signaling via astrocytes, participation in long-term potentiation, and the involvement of mitochondrial CB1. Focusing on paradigmatic brain areas, such as hippocampus, striatum, and neocortex, we review typical and novel signaling mechanisms, and discuss the functional implications in normal brain function and brain diseases. In summary, eCB signaling may lead to different forms of synaptic plasticity through activation of a plethora of mechanisms, which provide further complexity to the functional consequences of eCB signaling. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "A New Dawn in Cannabinoid Neurobiology".
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Araque
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Pablo E Castillo
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA.
| | - Olivier J Manzoni
- Institut National de la Santé et et de la Recherche Médicale U901 Marseille, France, Université de la Méditerranée UMR S901 Aix-Marseille Marseille, France, INMED Marseille, France.
| | - Raffaella Tonini
- Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
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Henricks AM, Berger AL, Lugo JM, Baxter-Potter LN, Bieniasz KV, Petrie G, Sticht MA, Hill MN, McLaughlin RJ. Sex- and hormone-dependent alterations in alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety and corticolimbic endocannabinoid signaling. Neuropharmacology 2017; 124:121-133. [PMID: 28554848 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol dependence is associated with anxiety during withdrawal. The endocannabinoid (ECB) system participates in the neuroendocrine and behavioral response to stress and changes in corticolimbic ECB signaling may contribute to alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety. Moreover, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal differ between sexes and sexual dimorphism in withdrawal-induced ECB recruitment may be a contributing factor. Herein, we exposed intact male and female rats and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats with or without estradiol (E2) replacement to 6 weeks of chronic intermittent alcohol vapor and measured anxiety-like behavior, ECB content, and ECB-related mRNA in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Acute alcohol withdrawal increased anxiety-like behavior, produced widespread disturbances in ECB-related mRNA, and reduced anandamide (AEA) content in the BLA and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) content in the vmPFC of male, but not female rats. Similar to males, alcohol-exposed OVX females showed reductions in Napepld mRNA in the BLA, decreased AEA content in the BLA and vmPFC, and reductions in all ECB-related genes measured in the vmPFC. Importantly, E2 replacement prevented withdrawal-induced alterations in ECB content (but not mRNA) in OVX females, and although alcohol-exposed OVX females failed to exhibit more anxiety compared to their respective control, chronic alcohol exposure abolished the anxiolytic properties of E2 in OVX rats. These data indicate that ovarian sex hormones (but not E2 alone) protect against withdrawal-induced alterations in corticolimbic ECB signaling but do not impart resilience to withdrawal-induced anxiety. Thus, the mechanisms implicated in the manifestation of alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety are most likely sex-specific. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "A New Dawn in Cannabinoid Neurobiology".
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Henricks
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Anthony L Berger
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Janelle M Lugo
- Department of Integrative Physiology & Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Lydia N Baxter-Potter
- Department of Integrative Physiology & Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Kennedy V Bieniasz
- Department of Integrative Physiology & Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Gavin Petrie
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy and Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Martin A Sticht
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy and Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Departments of Cell Biology and Anatomy and Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ryan J McLaughlin
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; Department of Integrative Physiology & Neuroscience, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; Translational Addiction Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
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Chronic FAAH inhibition during nicotine abstinence alters habenular CB1 receptor activity and precipitates depressive-like behaviors. Neuropharmacology 2017; 113:252-259. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Hayase T. Putative Epigenetic Involvement of the Endocannabinoid System in Anxiety- and Depression-Related Behaviors Caused by Nicotine as a Stressor. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158950. [PMID: 27404492 PMCID: PMC4942073 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Like various stressors, the addictive use of nicotine (NC) is associated with emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression, although the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated due to the complicated involvement of target neurotransmitter systems. In the elicitation of these emotional symptoms, the fundamental involvement of epigenetic mechanisms such as histone acetylation has recently been suggested. Furthermore, among the interacting neurotransmitter systems implicated in the effects of NC and stressors, the endocannabinoid (ECB) system is considered to contribute indispensably to anxiety and depression. In the present study, the epigenetic involvement of histone acetylation induced by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors was investigated in anxiety- and depression-related behavioral alterations caused by NC and/or immobilization stress (IM). Moreover, based on the contributing roles of the ECB system, the interacting influence of ECB ligands on the effects of HDAC inhibitors was evaluated in order to examine epigenetic therapeutic interventions. Anxiety-like (elevated plus-maze test) and depression-like (forced swimming test) behaviors, which were observed in mice treated with repeated (4 days) NC (subcutaneous 0.8 mg/kg) and/or IM (10 min), were blocked by the HDAC inhibitors sodium butyrate (SB) and valproic acid (VA). The cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) agonist ACPA (arachidonylcyclopropylamide; AC) also antagonized these behaviors. Conversely, the CB1 antagonist SR 141716A (SR), which counteracted the effects of AC, attenuated the anxiolytic-like effects of the HDAC inhibitors commonly in the NC and/or IM groups. SR also attenuated the antidepressant-like effects of the HDAC inhibitors, most notably in the IM group. From these results, the combined involvement of histone acetylation and ECB system was shown in anxiety- and depression-related behaviors. In the NC treatment groups, the limited influence of SR against the HDAC inhibitor-induced antidepressant-like effects may reflect the characteristic involvement of histone acetylation within the NC-related neurotransmitter systems other than the ECB system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamaki Hayase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606–8501, Japan
- * E-mail:
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A key role for the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system in modulating nicotine taking in a model of nicotine and alcohol co-administration. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26594. [PMID: 27199205 PMCID: PMC4873733 DOI: 10.1038/srep26594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Alcohol and nicotine are often co-abused. Although the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system is considered a potential target for development of drug abuse pharmacotherapies, especially for alcoholism, little is known about the role of this system in nicotine dependence. Furthermore, the effect of prior history of nicotine dependence on subsequent nicotine and alcohol taking is understudied. Using an operant co-administration paradigm, in which rats concurrently self-administer nicotine and alcohol, we found that nicotine dependent rats increased nicotine self-administration over time as compared to non-dependent animals, while patterns of alcohol lever pressing did not change between groups. Pretreatment with the potent NOP receptor agonist AT-202 (0.3–3 mg/kg) increased nicotine lever pressing of both dependent and non-dependent groups, whereas the selective antagonist SB612111 (1–10 mg/kg) elicited a clear reduction of nicotine responses, in both dependent and non-dependent rats. In parallel, AT-202 only produced minor changes on alcohol responses and SB612111 reduced alcohol taking at a dose that also reduced locomotor behavior. Results indicate that a history of nicotine dependence affects subsequent nicotine- but not alcohol-maintained responding, and that NOP receptor antagonism, rather than agonism, blocks nicotine self-administration, which strongly suggests a critical role for the endogenous N/OFQ in the modulation of nicotine reinforcement processes.
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Scherma M, Muntoni AL, Melis M, Fattore L, Fadda P, Fratta W, Pistis M. Interactions between the endocannabinoid and nicotinic cholinergic systems: preclinical evidence and therapeutic perspectives. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:1765-77. [PMID: 26728894 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4196-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Several lines of evidence suggest that endocannabinoid and nicotinic cholinergic systems are implicated in the regulation of different physiological processes, including reward, and in the neuropathological mechanisms of psychiatric diseases, such as addiction. A crosstalk between these two systems is substantiated by the overlapping distribution of cannabinoid and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in many brain structures. OBJECTIVE We will review recent preclinical data showing how the endocannabinoid and nicotinic cholinergic systems interact bidirectionally at the level of the brain reward pathways, and how this interaction plays a key role in modulating nicotine and cannabinoid intake and dependence. RESULTS Many behavioral and neurochemical effects of nicotine that are related to its addictive potential are reduced by pharmacological blockade or genetic deletion of type-1 cannabinoid receptors, inhibition of endocannabinoid uptake or metabolic degradation, and activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated-receptor-α. On the other hand, cholinergic antagonists at α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors as well as endogenous negative allosteric modulators of these receptors are effective in blocking dependence-related effects of cannabinoids. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacological manipulation of the endocannabinoid system and endocannabinoid-like neuromodulators shows promise in the treatment of nicotine dependence and in relapse prevention. Likewise, drugs acting at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors might prove useful in the therapy of cannabinoid dependence. Research by Steven R. Goldberg has significantly contributed to the progress in this research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Scherma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato (CA), 09042, Italy
| | - Anna Lisa Muntoni
- Neuroscience Institute, section of Cagliari, National Research Council, Cagliari, Italy
- Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Dependence", University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Miriam Melis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato (CA), 09042, Italy
| | - Liana Fattore
- Neuroscience Institute, section of Cagliari, National Research Council, Cagliari, Italy
- Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Dependence", University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Paola Fadda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato (CA), 09042, Italy
- Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Dependence", University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Walter Fratta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato (CA), 09042, Italy
- Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Dependence", University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Marco Pistis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato (CA), 09042, Italy.
- Neuroscience Institute, section of Cagliari, National Research Council, Cagliari, Italy.
- Centre of Excellence "Neurobiology of Dependence", University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
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Zlebnik NE, Cheer JF. Beyond the CB1 Receptor: Is Cannabidiol the Answer for Disorders of Motivation? Annu Rev Neurosci 2016; 39:1-17. [PMID: 27023732 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-070815-014038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Cannabis sativa plant has been used to treat various physiological and psychiatric conditions for millennia. Current research is focused on isolating potentially therapeutic chemical constituents from the plant for use in the treatment of many central nervous system disorders. Of particular interest is the primary nonpsychoactive constituent cannabidiol (CBD). Unlike Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not act through the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor but has many other receptor targets that may play a role in psychiatric disorders. Here we review preclinical and clinical data outlining the therapeutic efficacy of CBD for the treatment of motivational disorders such as drug addiction, anxiety, and depression. Across studies, findings suggest promising treatment effects and potentially overlapping mechanisms of action for CBD in these disorders and indicate the need for further systematic investigation of the viability of CBD as a psychiatric pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E Zlebnik
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201;
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201;
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Neuroscience of nicotine for addiction medicine: novel targets for smoking cessation medications. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2015; 223:191-214. [PMID: 26806777 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2015.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Morbidity and mortality associated with tobacco smoking constitutes a significant burden on healthcare budgets all over the world. Therefore, promoting smoking cessation is an important goal of health professionals and policy makers throughout the world. Nicotine is a major psychoactive component in tobacco that is largely responsible for the widespread addiction to tobacco. A majority of the currently available FDA-approved smoking cessation medications act via neuronal nicotinic receptors. These medications are effective in approximately half of all the smokers, who want to quit and relapse among abstinent smokers continues to be high. In addition to relapse among abstinent smokers, unpleasant effects associated with nicotine withdrawal are a major motivational factor in continued tobacco smoking. Over the last two decades, animal studies have helped in identifying several neural substrates that are involved in nicotine-dependent behaviors including those associated with nicotine withdrawal and relapse to tobacco smoking. In this review, first the role of specific brain regions/circuits that are involved in nicotine dependence will be discussed. Next, the review will describe the role of specific nicotinic receptor subunits in nicotine dependence. Finally, the review will discuss the role of classical neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, glutamate, and γ-aminobutyric acid) as well as endogenous opioid and endocannabinoid signaling in nicotine dependence. The nicotinic and nonnicotinic neural substrates involved in nicotine-dependent behaviors can serve as possible targets for future smoking cessation medications.
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Abstract
Brain endocannabinoid (eCB) signalling influences the motivation for natural rewards (such as palatable food, sexual activity and social interaction) and modulates the rewarding effects of addictive drugs. Pathological forms of natural and drug-induced reward are associated with dysregulated eCB signalling that may derive from pre-existing genetic factors or from prolonged drug exposure. Impaired eCB signalling contributes to dysregulated synaptic plasticity, increased stress responsivity, negative emotional states and cravings that propel addiction. Understanding the contributions of eCB disruptions to behavioural and physiological traits provides insight into the eCB influence on addiction vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren H Parsons
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Yasmin L Hurd
- Friedman Brain Institute, Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York City, New York 10029, USA
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The potential of inhibitors of endocannabinoid metabolism as anxiolytic and antidepressive drugs--A practical view. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:749-62. [PMID: 25791296 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Revised: 01/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system, comprising cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, their endogenous ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglyerol, and their synthetic and metabolic enzymes, are involved in many biological processes in the body, ranging from appetite to bone turnover. Compounds inhibiting the breakdown of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol increase brain levels of these lipids and thus modulate endocannabinoid signalling. In the present review, the preclinical evidence that these enzymes are good targets for development of novel therapies for anxiety and depression are discussed from a practical, rather than mechanistic, point of view. It is concluded that the preclinical data are promising, albeit tempered by problems of tolerance as well as effects upon learning and memory for irreversible monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors, and limited by a focus upon male rodents alone. Clinical data so far has been restricted to safety studies with inhibitors of anandamide hydrolysis and a hitherto unpublished study on such a compound in elderly patients with major depressive disorders, but under the dose regimes used, they are well tolerated and show no signs of "cannabis-like" behaviours.
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Hawkins JL, Denson JE, Miley DR, Durham PL. Nicotine stimulates expression of proteins implicated in peripheral and central sensitization. Neuroscience 2015; 290:115-25. [PMID: 25637801 PMCID: PMC5894823 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Pain patients who are nicotine dependent report a significantly increased incidence and severity of pain intensity. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of prolonged nicotine administration on inflammatory proteins implicated in the development of peripheral and central sensitization of the trigeminal system. Behavioral, immunohistochemical, and microarray studies were utilized to investigate the effects of nicotine administered daily for 14 days via an Alzet® osmotic pump in Sprague Dawley rats. Systemic nicotine administration caused a significant increase in nocifensive withdrawals to mechanical stimulation of trigeminal neurons. Nicotine stimulated expression of the pro-inflammatory signal transduction proteins phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), phosphorylated-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and protein kinase A (PKA) in the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Nicotine also promoted elevations in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a biomarker of activated astrocytes, and the microglia biomarker ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1). Similarly, levels of eleven cytokines were significantly elevated with the largest increase in expression of TNF-α. Levels of PKA, p-ERK, and p-JNK in trigeminal ganglion neurons were increased by nicotine. Our findings demonstrate that prolonged systemic administration of nicotine promotes sustained behavioral and cellular changes in the expression of key proteins in the spinal trigeminal nucleus and trigeminal ganglion implicated in the development and maintenance of peripheral and central sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Hawkins
- Center for Biomedical & Life Sciences, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA
| | - J E Denson
- Center for Biomedical & Life Sciences, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA
| | - D R Miley
- Center for Biomedical & Life Sciences, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA
| | - P L Durham
- Center for Biomedical & Life Sciences, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA.
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Polymorphism in the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1-R) gene plays a role in shaping the high anxious phenotype of Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:1083-93. [PMID: 25260340 PMCID: PMC4339612 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3743-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Marchigian Sardinian alcohol-preferring (msP) rats exhibit innate preference for alcohol along with anxious phenotype. In these animals, two single-nucleotide polymorphisms in position -1,836 and -2,097 from the first start codon of the CRF1-R transcript have been found. MATERIALS AND METHODS Here, we examined whether these point mutations account for the heightened anxiety-like behavior and stress responsiveness of msP rats. We rederived the msP rats to obtain two distinct lines carrying the wild-type (GG) and point mutations (AA), respectively. RESULTS CRF1-R gene expression analysis revealed significant dysregulation of the system in the extended amygdala of AA rats. At the behavioral level, using the elevated plus maze, we found that both AA and GG lines had higher basal anxiety compared to Wistar rats. In the defensive burying test, AA rats showed decreased burying behavior compared to the GG and the unselected Wistar lines. Freezing/immobility did not differ among AA and GG but was higher than that of Wistars. The selective CRF1-R antagonist antalarmin (0, 10, and 20 mg/kg) reduced burying behavior in Wistar animals. However, antalarmin (10 mg/kg) tended to increase rather than reducing this behavior when tested in the msP lines, an effect that appeared more marked in the GG as compared to the AA line. CONCLUSION The present data suggest that rats with msP genetic background are more anxious and show different sensitivity to stress and CRF1-R blockade than Wistars. The point mutations occurring in the CRF1-R gene do not seem to influence basal anxiety while they appear to affect active responses to stress.
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Muldoon PP, Chen J, Harenza JL, Abdullah RA, Sim-Selley LJ, Cravatt BF, Miles MF, Chen X, Lichtman AH, Damaj MI. Inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase reduces nicotine withdrawal. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 172:869-82. [PMID: 25258021 PMCID: PMC4301695 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 08/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Abrupt discontinuation of nicotine, the main psychoactive component in tobacco, induces a withdrawal syndrome in nicotine-dependent animals, consisting of somatic and affective signs, avoidance of which contributes to drug maintenance. While blockade of fatty acid amide hydrolase, the primary catabolic enzyme of the endocannabinoid arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide), exacerbates withdrawal responses in nicotine-dependent mice, the role of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the main hydrolytic enzyme of a second endocannabinoid 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), in nicotine withdrawal remains unexplored. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH To evaluate the role of MAGL enzyme inhibition in nicotine withdrawal, we initially performed a genetic correlation approach using the BXD recombinant inbred mouse panel. We then assessed nicotine withdrawal intensity in the mouse after treatment with the selective MAGL inhibitor, JZL184, and after genetic deletion of the enzyme. Lastly, we assessed the association between genotypes and smoking withdrawal phenotypes in two human data sets. KEY RESULTS BXD mice displayed significant positive correlations between basal MAGL mRNA expression and nicotine withdrawal responses, consistent with the idea that increased 2-AG brain levels may attenuate withdrawal responses. Strikingly, the MAGL inhibitor, JZL184, dose-dependently reduced somatic and aversive withdrawal signs, which was blocked by rimonabant, indicating a CB1 receptor-dependent mechanism. MAGL-knockout mice also showed attenuated nicotine withdrawal. Lastly, genetic analyses in humans revealed associations of the MAGL gene with smoking withdrawal in humans. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Overall, our findings suggest that MAGL inhibition maybe a promising target for treatment of nicotine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- P P Muldoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - J Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - J L Harenza
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - R A Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - L J Sim-Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - B F Cravatt
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research InstituteLa Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M F Miles
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - X Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - A H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
| | - M I Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA, USA
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Gamaleddin IH, Trigo JM, Gueye AB, Zvonok A, Makriyannis A, Goldberg SR, Le Foll B. Role of the endogenous cannabinoid system in nicotine addiction: novel insights. Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:41. [PMID: 25859226 PMCID: PMC4373509 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Several lines of evidence have shown that the endogenous cannabinoids are implicated in several neuropsychiatric diseases. Notably, preclinical and human clinical studies have shown a pivotal role of the cannabinoid system in nicotine addiction. The CB1 receptor inverse agonist/antagonist rimonabant (also known as SR141716) was effective to decrease nicotine-taking and nicotine-seeking in rodents, as well as the elevation of dopamine induced by nicotine in brain reward area. Rimonabant has been shown to improve the ability of smokers to quit smoking in randomized clinical trials. However, rimonabant was removed from the market due to increased risk of psychiatric side-effects observed in humans. Recently, other components of the endogenous cannabinoid system have been explored. Here, we present the recent advances on the understanding of the role of the different components of the cannabinoid system on nicotine's effects. Those recent findings suggest possible alternative ways of modulating the cannabinoid system that could have implication for nicotine dependence treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Islam Hany Gamaleddin
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Directorate of Poison Control and Forensic Chemistry, Ministry of Health , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia
| | - Jose M Trigo
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada
| | - Aliou B Gueye
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada
| | - Alexander Zvonok
- Center for Drug Discovery, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Center for Drug Discovery, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University , Boston, MA , USA
| | - Steven R Goldberg
- Preclinical Pharmacology Section, Behavioral Neuroscience Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services , Baltimore, MD , USA
| | - Bernard Le Foll
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Alcohol Research and Treatment Clinic, Addiction Medicine Services, Ambulatory Care and Structured Treatments, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Department of Family and Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON , Canada ; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto , Toronto, ON , Canada
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Chauvet C, Nicolas C, Thiriet N, Lardeux MDV, Duranti A, Solinas M. Chronic stimulation of the tone of endogenous anandamide reduces cue- and stress-induced relapse in rats. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 18:pyu025. [PMID: 25522382 PMCID: PMC4368869 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyu025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The endogenous cannabinoid system plays an important role in motivation, stress, and drug abuse. Pharmacologically, the endocannabinoid system can be stimulated by either agonists of CB1 receptors or inhibition of metabolic degradation of endogenous cannabinoids and consequent increases in their brain levels. METHODS Here, we investigated whether chronic administration during a period of withdrawal of the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597, which increases anandamide levels, would decrease the risks of relapse to cocaine seeking. Rats were allowed to self-administer cocaine and then they underwent forced withdrawal for 28 days, during which they were treated with URB597 or vehicle. One day after the last injection, we investigated cocaine seeking in one 6h extinction session and relapse triggered by re-exposure to drug-associated cues or a pharmacological stressor. RESULTS We found that administration of URB597 significantly decreases cocaine-seeking behavior and cue- and stress-induced relapse. CONCLUSION These results suggest that stimulation of the endocannabinoid system could be helpful to prevent relapse to cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Marcello Solinas
- University of Poitiers, France (Drs Chauvet, Nicolas, Thiriet, Lardeux, and Solinas); INSERM, Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences Laboratory, Poitiers, FRANCE (Drs Nicolas, Thiriet, Lardeux, and Solinas); Dipartimento di Scienze Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo," Urbino, Italy (Dr Duranti).
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Jackson KJ, Muldoon PP, De Biasi M, Damaj MI. New mechanisms and perspectives in nicotine withdrawal. Neuropharmacology 2014; 96:223-34. [PMID: 25433149 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2014] [Revised: 10/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Diseases associated with tobacco use constitute a major health problem worldwide. Upon cessation of tobacco use, an unpleasant withdrawal syndrome occurs in dependent individuals. Avoidance of the negative state produced by nicotine withdrawal represents a motivational component that promotes continued tobacco use and relapse after smoking cessation. With the modest success rate of currently available smoking cessation therapies, understanding mechanisms involved in the nicotine withdrawal syndrome are crucial for developing successful treatments. Animal models provide a useful tool for examining neuroadaptative mechanisms and factors influencing nicotine withdrawal, including sex, age, and genetic factors. Such research has also identified an important role for nicotinic receptor subtypes in different aspects of the nicotine withdrawal syndrome (e.g., physical vs. affective signs). In addition to nicotinic receptors, the opioid and endocannabinoid systems, various signal transduction pathways, neurotransmitters, and neuropeptides have been implicated in the nicotine withdrawal syndrome. Animal studies have informed human studies of genetic variants and potential targets for smoking cessation therapies. Overall, the available literature indicates that the nicotine withdrawal syndrome is complex, and involves a range of neurobiological mechanisms. As research in nicotine withdrawal progresses, new pharmacological options for smokers attempting to quit can be identified, and treatments with fewer side effects that are better tailored to the unique characteristics of patients may become available. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'The Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor: From Molecular Biology to Cognition'.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Jackson
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, 800 E. Leigh St., Richmond, VA 23219, USA
| | - P P Muldoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1220 E. Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23219, USA
| | - M De Biasi
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - M I Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1220 E. Marshall St., Richmond, VA 23219, USA.
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Oleson EB, Cachope R, Fitoussi A, Cheer JF. Tales from the dark side: do neuromodulators of drug withdrawal require changes in endocannabinoid tone? Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 52:17-23. [PMID: 23911441 PMCID: PMC3874071 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Environmental and interoceptive cues are theorized to serve as 'signals' that motivate drug seeking and effects that may be augmented in the withdrawn state. Phasic dopamine release events are observed in the nucleus accumbens in response to such motivational salient stimuli and are thought to be necessary for drug-associated cues to trigger craving. We recently demonstrated how dopamine neurons encode stimuli conditioned to a negative event, as might occur during conditioned withdrawal, and stimuli predicting the avoidance of negative events, as might occur as an addict seeks out drugs to prevent withdrawal. In this review we first discuss how the subsecond dopamine release events might process conditioned withdrawal and drug seeking driven by negative reinforcement processes within the context of our dopamine data obtained during conditioned avoidance procedures. We next describe how the endocannabinoid system modulates phasic dopamine release events and how it might be harnessed to treat negative affective states in addiction. Specifically, we have demonstrated that endocannabinoids in the ventral tegmentum sculpt cue-induced accumbal surges in dopamine release and, therefore, may also be mobilized during drug withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik B. Oleson
- University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 20 Penn St. Baltimore MD 21201,University of Colorado Denver, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO 80217
| | - Roger Cachope
- University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 20 Penn St. Baltimore MD 21201
| | - Aurelie Fitoussi
- University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 20 Penn St. Baltimore MD 21201
| | - Joseph F. Cheer
- University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 20 Penn St. Baltimore MD 21201
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McPartland JM, Guy GW, Di Marzo V. Care and feeding of the endocannabinoid system: a systematic review of potential clinical interventions that upregulate the endocannabinoid system. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89566. [PMID: 24622769 PMCID: PMC3951193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The “classic” endocannabinoid (eCB) system includes the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, the eCB ligands anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and their metabolic enzymes. An emerging literature documents the “eCB deficiency syndrome” as an etiology in migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, psychological disorders, and other conditions. We performed a systematic review of clinical interventions that enhance the eCB system—ways to upregulate cannabinoid receptors, increase ligand synthesis, or inhibit ligand degradation. Methodology/Principal Findings We searched PubMed for clinical trials, observational studies, and preclinical research. Data synthesis was qualitative. Exclusion criteria limited the results to 184 in vitro studies, 102 in vivo animal studies, and 36 human studies. Evidence indicates that several classes of pharmaceuticals upregulate the eCB system, including analgesics (acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, glucocorticoids), antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and anticonvulsants. Clinical interventions characterized as “complementary and alternative medicine” also upregulate the eCB system: massage and manipulation, acupuncture, dietary supplements, and herbal medicines. Lifestyle modification (diet, weight control, exercise, and the use of psychoactive substances—alcohol, tobacco, coffee, cannabis) also modulate the eCB system. Conclusions/Significance Few clinical trials have assessed interventions that upregulate the eCB system. Many preclinical studies point to other potential approaches; human trials are needed to explore these promising interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M. McPartland
- GW Pharmaceuticals, Porton Down Science Park, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Geoffrey W. Guy
- GW Pharmaceuticals, Porton Down Science Park, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Istituto di Chimica Biomoleculare, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei, Pozzuoli, Napoli, Italy
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Le Foll B, Di Ciano P, Panlilio LV, Goldberg SR, Ciccocioppo R. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists as promising new medications for drug addiction: preclinical evidence. Curr Drug Targets 2013; 14:768-76. [PMID: 23614675 DOI: 10.2174/1389450111314070006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2012] [Revised: 04/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
This review examines the growing literature on the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in addiction. There are two subtypes of PPAR receptors that have been studied in addiction: PPAR-α and PPAR-γ. The role of each PPAR subtype in common models of addictive behavior, mainly pre-clinical models, is summarized. In particular, studies are reviewed that investigated the effects of PPAR-α agonists on relapse, sensitization, conditioned place preference, withdrawal and drug intake, and effects of PPAR-γ agonists on relapse, withdrawal and drug intake. Finally, studies that investigated the effects of PPAR agonists on neural pathways of addiction are reviewed. Taken together these preclinical data indicate that PPAR agonists are promising new medications for drug addiction treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Le Foll
- Translational Addiction Research Laboratory, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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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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Cohen A, George O. Animal models of nicotine exposure: relevance to second-hand smoking, electronic cigarette use, and compulsive smoking. Front Psychiatry 2013; 4:41. [PMID: 23761766 PMCID: PMC3671664 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Much evidence indicates that individuals use tobacco primarily to experience the psychopharmacological properties of nicotine and that a large proportion of smokers eventually become dependent on nicotine. In humans, nicotine acutely produces positive reinforcing effects, including mild euphoria, whereas a nicotine abstinence syndrome with both somatic and affective components is observed after chronic nicotine exposure. Animal models of nicotine self-administration and chronic exposure to nicotine have been critical in unveiling the neurobiological substrates that mediate the acute reinforcing effects of nicotine and emergence of a withdrawal syndrome during abstinence. However, important aspects of the transition from nicotine abuse to nicotine dependence, such as the emergence of increased motivation and compulsive nicotine intake following repeated exposure to the drug, have only recently begun to be modeled in animals. Thus, the neurobiological mechanisms that are involved in these important aspects of nicotine addiction remain largely unknown. In this review, we describe the different animal models available to date and discuss recent advances in animal models of nicotine exposure and nicotine dependence. This review demonstrates that novel animal models of nicotine vapor exposure and escalation of nicotine intake provide a unique opportunity to investigate the neurobiological effects of second-hand nicotine exposure, electronic cigarette use, and the mechanisms that underlie the transition from nicotine use to compulsive nicotine intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ami Cohen
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Olivier George
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Micale V, Di Marzo V, Sulcova A, Wotjak CT, Drago F. Endocannabinoid system and mood disorders: Priming a target for new therapies. Pharmacol Ther 2013; 138:18-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2012.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Muldoon PP, Lichtman AH, Parsons LH, Damaj MI. The role of fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibition in nicotine reward and dependence. Life Sci 2013; 92:458-62. [PMID: 22705310 PMCID: PMC3477273 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2012.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2012] [Revised: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA) exerts the majority of its effects at CB1 and CB2 receptors and is degraded by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). FAAH KO mice and animals treated with FAAH inhibitors are impaired in their ability to hydrolyze AEA and other non-cannabinoid lipid signaling molecules, such as oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). AEA and these other substrates activate non-cannabinoid receptor systems, including TRPV1 and PPAR-α receptors. In this mini review, we describe the functional consequences of FAAH inhibition on nicotine reward and dependence as well as the underlying endocannabinoid and non-cannabinoid receptor systems mediating these effects. Interestingly, FAAH inhibition seems to mediate nicotine dependence differently in mice and rats. Indeed, pharmacological and genetic FAAH disruption in mice enhances nicotine reward and withdrawal. However, in rats, pharmacological blockade of FAAH significantly inhibits nicotine reward and has no effect in nicotine withdrawal. Studies suggest that non-cannabinoid mechanisms may play a role in these species differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pretal P Muldoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1217 E Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
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50
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Maldonado R, Robledo P, Berrendero F. Endocannabinoid system and drug addiction: new insights from mutant mice approaches. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2013; 23:480-6. [PMID: 23490550 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2013.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Revised: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of the endocannabinoid system in drug addiction was initially studied by the use of compounds with different affinities for each cannabinoid receptor or for the proteins involved in endocannabinoids inactivation. The generation of genetically modified mice with selective mutations in these endocannabinoid system components has now provided important advances in establishing their specific contribution to drug addiction. These genetic tools have identified the particular interest of CB1 cannabinoid receptor and endogenous anandamide as potential targets for drug addiction treatment. Novel genetic tools will allow determining if the modulation of CB2 cannabinoid receptor activity and 2-arachidonoylglycerol tone can also have an important therapeutic relevance for drug addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Maldonado
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, C/Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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