1
|
Boyacıoğlu Ö, Reçber T, Kır S, Korkusuz P, Nemutlu E. Development and validation of a sensitive assay for the quantification of arachidonoylcyclopropylamide (ACPA) in cell culture by LC–MS/MS. J Anal Sci Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1186/s40543-023-00381-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractSynthetic and natural cannabinoid derivatives are highly investigated as drug candidates due to their antinociceptive, antiepileptic and anticancer potential. Arachidonoylcyclopropylamide (ACPA) is a synthetic cannabinoid with antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic and endometrial carcinoma. Thus, ACPA has a great potential for being used as an anticancer drug for epithelial cancers. Therefore, determining the levels of ACPA in biological fluids, cells, tissues and pharmaceutical dosage forms is crucial in monitoring the effects of various pharmacological, physiological and pathological stimuli on biological systems. However, the challenge in the quantification of ACPA is its short half-life and lack of UV signal. Therefore, we developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) method for sensitive and selective quantification of ACPA in cell culture medium and intracellular matrix. Multiple reaction monitoring in the positive ionization mode was used for detection with 344 → 203 m/z transitions. The separation of ACPA was performed on C18 column (50 × 3.0 mm, 2.1 μm) with the mobile phase run in the gradient mode with 0.1% formic acid (FA) in water and 0.1% FA in acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. The assay was linear in the concentration range of 1.8–1000 ng/mL (r = 0.999). The validation studies revealed that the method was linear, sensitive, accurate, precise, selective, repeatable, robust and rugged. Finally, the developed method was applied to quantify ACPA in cell culture medium and intracellular matrix.
Collapse
|
2
|
Prentice RN, Younus M, Krittaphol-Bailey W, Rizwan SB. A sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the study of exogenously administered 13 C-oleoylethanolamide in rat plasma and brain tissue. J Sep Sci 2021; 44:2693-2704. [PMID: 33939878 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202001210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Oleoylethanolamide is an endogenous molecule with neuroprotective effects. It has been reported that exogenous oleoylethanolamide can be administered therapeutically, but the confounding presence of the endogenous molecule has led to conflicting reports regarding the mechanisms of the effects and highlights a need for an adequate methodology to differentiate them. We have developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to study oleoylethanolamide in rat plasma and brain using a 13 C-labeled isotope, 13 C-oleoylethanolamide. 13 C-oleoylethanolamide was extracted using a liquid-liquid extraction employing acetonitrile and tert-butyl methyl ether (1:4). Analysis was performed using a gradient with a total run time of 12 min. 13 C-oleoylethanolamide, d4 -oleoylethanolamide (internal standard), and 12 C-oleoylethanolamide (endogenous background) eluted simultaneously at 1.64 min. The method was validated for specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision and found to be capable of quantification within acceptable limits of ±15% over the calibration range of 0.39-25 ng/mL for the plasma and 1.17-75 ng/g for the brain. It was then applied to quantify 13 C-oleoylethanolamide over 90 min after intravenous administration of a solution (1 mg/kg) in rats. Results suggest that 13 C-oleoylethanolamide does not reach therapeutic concentrations in the brain, despite a relatively prolonged plasma circulation, suggesting that rapid degradation in the brain remains an obstacle to its clinical application to neurological disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Younus
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Oliveira IGC, Souza IDD, Nascimento GCD, Del Bel E, Queiroz MEC. In-tube solid-phase microextraction directly coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol determination in rat brain samples from an animal model of Parkinson's disease. J Chromatogr A 2020; 1636:461766. [PMID: 33316562 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate the endocannabinoid system in an animal model of Parkinson's disease, in-tube solid-phase microextraction (in-tube SPME) was directly coupled to a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) system for determination of the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in rat brain samples. In-tube SPME-which consisted of a microtube of restricted access material (RAM) with a hydrophilic diol external surface and a hydrophobic octyl inner surface-efficiently excluded (up to 95%) macromolecules from the biological samples and selectively pre-concentrated the analytes. In-tube SPME parameters, such as sample volume, mobile phases, flow rate, and pre-concentration time, were evaluated to improve the extraction efficiency and throughput performance. The selectivity of the in-tube SPME and MS/MS (MRM mode) techniques allowed them to be directly coupled online, which dismissed the need for the chromatographic separation step. The in-tube SPME-MS/MS method was validated and shown to be linear from 6.0 to 30.0 ng mL-1 for AEA and from 10.0 to 100.0 ng mL-1 for 2-AG; the intra- and inter-assay accuracy and precision were lower than 15%. Parallelism between the calibration curves constructed in the matrix and aqueous solution confirmed that there was no matrix effect. The method allowed endogenous concentrations of AEA and 2-AG to be determined in rat brain striatum from unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned animals. The concentrations of these endocannabinoids in striatum ipsilateral and contralateral to the lesion differed significantly (p<0.001).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor Gustavo Carvalho Oliveira
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Química, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP 14040-901
| | - Israel Donizeti de Souza
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Química, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP 14040-901
| | | | - Elaine Del Bel
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Faculdade de Odontologia de Ribeirão Preto, Avenida do Café, CEP 14040-904
| | - Maria Eugênia Costa Queiroz
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Química, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP 14040-901.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Oliveira IGC, Queiroz MEC. A micro salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to determine anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in rat brain samples. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2020; 1158:122351. [PMID: 32882531 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A simple and reliable method was developed and validated to determine the endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in rat brain samples by micro salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SALLLE/UHPLC-MS/MS). The SALLE parameters (brain homogenate volume, salting-out agent, salt concentration, salt solution volume, organic solvent, organic solvent volume, and centrifugation temperature) were optimized to improve sensitivity and selectivity of the method. The SALLE/UHPLC-MS/MS method presented linear ranges from 2.00 to 20.00 ng mL-1 for AEA and from 0.300 to 10.00 μg mL-1 for 2-AG, no significant matrix effect, and inter- and intra-assay precision and accuracy with CV and RSE values lower than 15%, respectively. This innovative method was successfully applied to determine AEA and 2-AG in brain hemispheres from a 6-OHDA animal model of Parkinson's disease (PD).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor Gustavo Carvalho Oliveira
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP-RP), Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Química, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Eugênia Costa Queiroz
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP-RP), Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Química, Avenida Bandeirantes, 3900, CEP 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Aslam M, Feleder C, Newsom RJ, Campeau S, Musteata FM. In vivo monitoring of rat brain endocannabinoids using solid-phase microextraction. Bioanalysis 2019; 11:1523-1534. [PMID: 31486681 PMCID: PMC6770421 DOI: 10.4155/bio-2019-0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Solid-phase microextraction is proposed to measure concentrations of anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol in live rat brains in response to stress. Materials & methods: Solid-phase microextraction fibers were prepared from steel with 1.5 mm extraction coating. 24 male rats were divided into groups based on brain region, stria terminalis or posterior hypothalamus and loud noise or control groups. The fibers were desorbed in acetonitrile-water (75:25) and analyzed by ultraperformance LC-MS/MS. The linear range of the method was 0.05-50 ng/ml and the in vivo concentrations were found to be between 0.3 and 40 ng/ml. Conclusion: The new approach was successfully used to determine the concentrations of anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol in vivo and could be used in the future to measure other endogenous compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Momna Aslam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, 106 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Carlos Feleder
- Departamento de Investigacion, Instituto de Salud Publica y Efectividad Clinica, Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales, C1061ABA CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ryan J Newsom
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, 345 UCB University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA
| | - Serge Campeau
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, 345 UCB University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA
| | - Florin Marcel Musteata
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, 106 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bystrowska B, Frankowska M, Smaga I, Niedzielska-Andres E, Pomierny-Chamioło L, Filip M. Cocaine-Induced Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking Provokes Changes in the Endocannabinoid and N-Acylethanolamine Levels in Rat Brain Structures. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24061125. [PMID: 30901889 PMCID: PMC6470884 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24061125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is strong support for the role of the endocannabinoid system and the noncannabinoid lipid signaling molecules, N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), in cocaine reward and withdrawal. In the latest study, we investigated the changes in the levels of the above molecules and expression of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in several brain regions during cocaine-induced reinstatement in rats. By using intravenous cocaine self-administration and extinction procedures linked with yoked triad controls, we found that a priming dose of cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) evoked an increase of the anadamide (AEA) level in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex only in animals that had previously self-administered cocaine. In the same animals, the level of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) increased in the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens. Moreover, the drug-induced relapse resulted in a potent increase in NAEs levels in the cortical areas and striatum and, at the same time, a decrease in the tissue levels of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) was noted in the nucleus accumbens, cerebellum, and/or hippocampus. At the level of cannabinoid receptors, a priming dose of cocaine evoked either upregulation of the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the prefrontal cortex and lateral septal nuclei or downregulation of the CB1 receptors in the ventral tegmental area. In the medial globus pallidus we observed the upregulation of the CB2 receptor only after yoked chronic cocaine treatment. Our findings support that in the rat brain, the endocannabinoid system and NAEs are involved in cocaine induced-reinstatement where these molecules changed in a region-specific manner and may represent brain molecular signatures for the development of new treatments for cocaine addiction.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Biomarkers
- Brain/drug effects
- Brain/metabolism
- Chromatography, Liquid
- Cocaine/pharmacology
- Cocaine-Related Disorders/etiology
- Cocaine-Related Disorders/metabolism
- Cocaine-Related Disorders/physiopathology
- Endocannabinoids/metabolism
- Ethanolamines/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Rats
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
- Receptors, Cannabinoid
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beata Bystrowska
- Department of Toxicology, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Frankowska
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Irena Smaga
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, PL 31-066 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Ewa Niedzielska-Andres
- Department of Toxicology, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Lucyna Pomierny-Chamioło
- Department of Toxicology, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Filip
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343 Kraków, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Seabra G, Falvella ACB, Guest PC, Martins-de-Souza D, de Almeida V. Proteomics and Lipidomics in the Elucidation of Endocannabinoid Signaling in Healthy and Schizophrenia Brains. Proteomics 2018; 18:e1700270. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201700270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Seabra
- Laboratory of Neuroproteomics; Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology; Institute of Biology; University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas Brazil
| | - Ana Caroline B. Falvella
- Laboratory of Neuroproteomics; Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology; Institute of Biology; University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas Brazil
| | - Paul C. Guest
- Laboratory of Neuroproteomics; Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology; Institute of Biology; University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas Brazil
| | - Daniel Martins-de-Souza
- Laboratory of Neuroproteomics; Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology; Institute of Biology; University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Biomarcadores em Neuropsiquiatria (INBION) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico; São Paulo Brazil
| | - Valéria de Almeida
- Laboratory of Neuroproteomics; Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology; Institute of Biology; University of Campinas (UNICAMP); Campinas Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Piscitelli F, Bradshaw HB. Endocannabinoid Analytical Methodologies: Techniques That Drive Discoveries That Drive Techniques. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2017; 80:1-30. [PMID: 28826532 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Identification of the two major endogenous cannabinoid ligands, known as endocannabinoids, N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine (anandamide, AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG), opened the way for the identification and isolation of other lipid congeners, all derivatives of fatty acids and related to the Endocannabinoid System. The nomenclature of this anandamide-type class of lipids is evolving as new species are discovered all the time. However, they each fall under the larger umbrella of lipids that are a conjugation of a fatty acid with an amine through and amide bond, which we will refer to as lipoamines. Specific subspecies of lipoamines that have been discovered are the N-acyl-ethanolamides (including AEA), N-acyl-dopamines, N-acyl-serotonins, N-acyl-GABA, N-acyl-taurines, and a growing number of N-acyl amino acids. Emerging data from multiple labs also show that monoacylglycerols (including 2-AG), COX-2 metabolites, and fatty acid esters of hydroxyl fatty acids are interconnected with these lipoamines at both the biosynthetic and metabolic levels. Understanding the molecular relatedness of these lipids is important for studying how they act as signaling molecules; however, a first step in this process hinges on advances in being able to accurately measure them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Piscitelli
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (ICB-CNR), Pozzuoli, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Smaga I, Jastrzębska J, Zaniewska M, Bystrowska B, Gawliński D, Faron-Górecka A, Broniowska Ż, Miszkiel J, Filip M. Changes in the Brain Endocannabinoid System in Rat Models of Depression. Neurotox Res 2017; 31:421-435. [PMID: 28247204 PMCID: PMC5360820 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-017-9708-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence implicates the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in the pathophysiology of depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of changes in the eCB system, such as levels of neuromodulators, eCB synthesizing and degrading enzymes, and cannabinoid (CB) receptors, in different brain structures in animal models of depression using behavioral and biochemical analyses. Both models used, i.e., bulbectomized (OBX) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, were characterized at the behavioral level by increased immobility time. In the OBX rats, anandamide (AEA) levels were decreased in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum and increased in the nucleus accumbens, while 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels were increased in the prefrontal cortex and decreased in the nucleus accumbens with parallel changes in the expression of eCB metabolizing enzymes in several structures. It was also observed that CB1 receptor expression decreased in the hippocampus, dorsal striatum, and nucleus accumbens, and CB2 receptor expression decreased in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. In WKY rats, the levels of eCBs were reduced in the prefrontal cortex (2-AG) and dorsal striatum (AEA) and increased in the prefrontal cortex (AEA) with different changes in the expression of eCB metabolizing enzymes, while the CB1 receptor density was increased in several brain regions. These findings suggest that dysregulation in the eCB system is implicated in the pathogenesis of depression, although neurochemical changes were linked to the particular brain structure and the factor inducing depression (surgical removal of the olfactory bulbs vs. genetic modulation).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irena Smaga
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Kraków, Poland
- Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Jastrzębska
- Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zaniewska
- Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Beata Bystrowska
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Kraków, Poland
| | - Dawid Gawliński
- Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agata Faron-Górecka
- Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Żaneta Broniowska
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Miszkiel
- Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Filip
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, PL 30-688, Kraków, Poland.
- Laboratory of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, PL 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Endocannabinoids, related compounds and their metabolic routes. Molecules 2014; 19:17078-106. [PMID: 25347455 PMCID: PMC6271436 DOI: 10.3390/molecules191117078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are lipid mediators able to bind to and activate cannabinoid receptors, the primary molecular targets responsible for the pharmacological effects of the Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. These bioactive lipids belong mainly to two classes of compounds: N-acylethanolamines and acylesters, being N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), respectively, their main representatives. During the last twenty years, an ever growing number of fatty acid derivatives (endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like compounds) have been discovered and their activities biological is the subject of intense investigations. Here, the most recent advances, from a therapeutic point of view, on endocannabinoids, related compounds, and their metabolic routes will be reviewed.
Collapse
|