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Function and therapeutic potential of N-acyl amino acids. Chem Phys Lipids 2021; 239:105114. [PMID: 34217720 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2021.105114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
N-acyl amino acids (NAAs) are amphiphilic molecules, with different potential fatty acid and head group moieties. NAAs are the largest family of anandamide congener lipids discovered to date. In recent years, several NAAs have been identified as potential ligands, engaging novel binding sites and mechanisms for modulation of membrane proteins such as G-protein coupled receptors (GPRs), nuclear receptors, ion channels, and transporters. NAAs play a key role in a variety of physiological functions as lipid signaling molecules. Understanding the structure, function roles, and pharmacological potential of these NAAs is still in its infancy, and the biochemical roles are also mostly unknown. This review will provide a summary of the literature on NAAs and emphasize their therapeutic potential.
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Piscitelli F, Guida F, Luongo L, Iannotti FA, Boccella S, Verde R, Lauritano A, Imperatore R, Smoum R, Cristino L, Lichtman AH, Parker LA, Mechoulam R, Maione S, Di Marzo V. Protective Effects of N-Oleoylglycine in a Mouse Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1117-1128. [PMID: 32017529 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the main causes of death in young people for which currently no efficacious treatment exists. Recently, we have reported that mice with mild-TBI with a specific injury in the insula showed elevated levels of a little investigated N-acyl amino acid, N-oleoylglycine (OlGly). N-acyl amino acids have recently experienced an increased interest because of their important biological activities. They belong to the endocannabinoidome family of lipids with structural similarities with the endocannabinoids (eCBs). The aim of this study was to test the neuroprotective and antihyperalgesic actions of OlGly in a model of mouse mild-TBI (mTBI) and its effect on levels of eCBs and N-acylethanolamines at the end of treatment. Following mTBI, mice were administered a daily injection of OlGly (10-50-100 mg/kg i.p.) for 14 days. Treatment with OlGly normalized motor impairment and behavior in the light/dark box test, ameliorated TBI-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, and normalized aggressiveness and depression. Moreover, levels of eCBs and some N-acylethanolamines underwent significant changes 60 days after TBI, especially in the prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus, and OlGly reversed some of these changes. In conclusion, our findings reveal that OlGly ameliorates the behavioral alterations associated with mTBI in mice, while concomitantly modulating eCB and eCB-like mediator tone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Piscitelli
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Arturo Iannotti
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Boccella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Verde
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Lauritano
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Imperatore
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Reem Smoum
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Luigia Cristino
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Linda A. Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
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Magid L, Heymann S, Elgali M, Avram L, Cohen Y, Liraz-Zaltsman S, Mechoulam R, Shohami E. Role of CB 2 Receptor in the Recovery of Mice after Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:1836-1846. [PMID: 30489198 PMCID: PMC6551996 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis is one of the most widely used plant drugs in the world today. In spite of the large number of scientific reports on medical marijuana, there still exists much controversy surrounding its use and the potential for abuse due to the undesirable psychotropic effects. However, recent developments in medicinal chemistry of novel non-psychoactive synthetic cannabinoids have indicated that it is possible to separate some of the therapeutic effects from the psychoactivity. We have previously shown that treatment with the endocannabinoid 2-AG, which binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors 1 h after traumatic brain injury in mice, attenuates neurological deficits, edema formation, infarct volume, blood-brain barrier permeability, neuronal cell loss at the CA3 hippocampal region, and neuroinflammation. Recently, we synthesized a set of camphor-resorcinol derivatives, which represent a novel series of CB2 receptor selective ligands. Most of the novel compounds exhibited potent binding and agonistic properties at the CB2 receptors with very low affinity for the CB1 receptor, and some were highly anti-inflammatory. This selective binding correlated with their intrinsic activities. HU-910 and HU-914 were selected in the present study to evaluate their potential effect in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI). In mice and rats subjected to closed-head injury and treated with these novel compounds, we showed enhanced neurobehavioral recovery, inhibition of tumor necrosis factor α production, increased synaptogenesis, and partial recovery of the cortical spinal tract. We propose these CB2 agonists as potential drugs for development of novel therapeutic modality to TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lital Magid
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Sami Heymann
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hadassah Medical Center, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Merav Elgali
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Drug Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Liat Avram
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoram Cohen
- School of Chemistry, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sigal Liraz-Zaltsman
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Drug Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Esther Shohami
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Drug Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Leishman E, Kunkler PE, Hurley JH, Miller S, Bradshaw HB. Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation and Related Diseases : Acute and Chronic Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Differentially Changes Levels of Bioactive Lipids in the CNS Associated with Headache. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1161:193-217. [PMID: 31562631 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-21735-8_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Headache is a common complaint after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Changes in the CNS lipidome were previously associated with acrolein-induced headache in rodents. mTBI caused similar headache-like symptoms in rats; therefore, we tested the hypothesis that mTBI might likewise alter the lipidome. Using a stereotaxic impactor, rats were given either a single mTBI or a series of 4 mTBIs 48 h apart. 72 h later for single mTBI and 7 days later for repeated mTBI, the trigeminal ganglia (TG), trigeminal nucleus (TNC), and cerebellum (CER) were isolated. Using HPLC/MS/MS, ~80 lipids were measured in each tissue and compared to sham controls. mTBI drove widespread alterations in lipid levels. Single mTBI increased arachidonic acid and repeated mTBI increased prostaglandins in all 3 tissue types. mTBI affected multiple TRPV agonists, including N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA), which increased in the TNC and CER after single mTBI. After repeated mTBI, AEA increased in the TG, but decreased in the TNC. Common to all tissue types in single and repeated mTBI was an increase the AEA metabolite, N-arachidonoyl glycine, a potent activator of microglial migration. Changes in the CNS lipidome associated with mTBI likely play a role in headache and in long-term neurodegenerative effects of repeated mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Leishman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Phillip E Kunkler
- Stark Neurosciences Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Joyce H Hurley
- Stark Neurosciences Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Sally Miller
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Heather B Bradshaw
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
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Feldman M, Smoum R, Mechoulam R, Steinberg D. Antimicrobial potential of endocannabinoid and endocannabinoid-like compounds against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17696. [PMID: 30523307 PMCID: PMC6283871 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35793-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus have reached epidemic proportions globally. Staphylococcal biofilms are associated with increased antimicrobial resistance and are generally less affected by host immune factors. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel agents that not only aim at multidrug-resistant pathogens, but also ones that will act as anti biofilms. In the present study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of the endocannabinoid (EC) anandamide (AEA) and the endocannabinoid-like (EC-like), arachidonoyl serine (AraS) against methicillin resistant S. aureus strains (MRSA). We observed a strong inhibition of biofilm formation of all tested MRSA strains as well as a notable reduction of metabolic activity of pre-formed MRSA biofilms by both agents. Moreover, staphylococcal biofilm-associated virulence determinants such as hydrophobicity, cell aggregation and spreading ability were altered by AEA and AraS. In addition, the agents were able to modify bacterial membrane potential. Importantly, both compounds prevent biofilm formation by altering the surface of the cell without killing the bacteria. Therefore, we propose that EC and EC-like compounds may act as a natural line of defence against MRSA or other antibiotic resistant bacteria. Due to their anti biofilm action these agents could also be a promising alternative to antibiotic therapeutics against biofilm-associated MRSA infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Feldman
- Biofilm Research Laboratory, Institute of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Reem Smoum
- The Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- The Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Doron Steinberg
- Biofilm Research Laboratory, Institute of Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dental Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Kelly MEM, Lehmann C, Zhou J. The Endocannabinoid System in Local and Systemic Inflammation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.4199/c00151ed1v01y201702isp074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Guida F, Boccella S, Iannotta M, De Gregorio D, Giordano C, Belardo C, Romano R, Palazzo E, Scafuro MA, Serra N, de Novellis V, Rossi F, Maione S, Luongo L. Palmitoylethanolamide Reduces Neuropsychiatric Behaviors by Restoring Cortical Electrophysiological Activity in a Mouse Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:95. [PMID: 28321191 PMCID: PMC5337754 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major public health problem, which is associated with neurological dysfunction. In severe or moderate cases of TBI, in addition to its high mortality rate, subjects may encounter diverse behavioral dysfunctions. Previous reports suggest that an association between TBI and chronic pain syndromes tends to be more common in patients with mild forms of brain injury. Despite causing minimal brain damage, mild TBI (mTBI) often leads to persistent psychologically debilitating symptoms, which can include anxiety, various forms of memory and learning deficits, and depression. At present, no effective treatment options are available for these symptoms, and little is known about the complex cellular activity affecting neuronal activity that occurs in response to TBI during its late phase. Here, we used a mouse model to investigate the effect of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) on both the sensorial and neuropsychiatric dysfunctions associated with mTBI through behavioral, electrophysiological, and biomolecular approaches. Fourteen-day mTBI mice developed anxious, aggressive, and reckless behavior, whilst depressive-like behavior and impaired social interactions were observed from the 60th day onward. Altered behavior was associated with changes in interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) expression levels and neuronal firing activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. Compared with vehicle, PEA restored the behavioral phenotype and partially normalized the biochemical and functional changes occurring at the supraspinal level. In conclusion, our findings reveal some of the supraspinal modifications responsible for the behavioral alterations associated with mTBI and suggest PEA as a pharmacological tool to ameliorate neurological dysfunction induced by the trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN)Naples, Italy; Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle RicerchePozzuoli, Italy
| | - Serena Boccella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Iannotta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Catia Giordano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Carmela Belardo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Romano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Enza Palazzo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Maria A Scafuro
- Department of Anesthesiology, Surgery and Emergency, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Serra
- Department of Radiology, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Vito de Novellis
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Rossi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN) Naples, Italy
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN)Naples, Italy; Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle RicerchePozzuoli, Italy
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology "L. Donatelli", Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Ex SUN)Naples, Italy; Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle RicerchePozzuoli, Italy; Young Against Pain (YAP) Italian Group, NaplesItaly
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