1
|
Pintori N, Serra MP, Carai A, Lobina C, Isola R, Noli R, Piras G, Spano E, Baumann MH, Quartu M, De Luca MA. Evidence for enduring cardiac and multiorgan toxicity after repeated exposure to the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 in male rats. Toxicology 2024; 507:153878. [PMID: 38972446 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153878] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
The use of synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) represents a public health concern. Besides abuse liability and cognitive impairments, SCRAs consumption is associated with serious medical consequences in humans, including cardiotoxicity. The precise mechanisms underlying cardiac or other toxicities induced by SCRAs are not well understood. Here, we used in silico, in vivo, and ex vivo approaches to investigate the toxicological consequences induced by exposure to the SCRA JWH-018. Along with in silico predictive toxicological screening of 36 SCRAs by MC4PC software, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were repeatedly exposed to JWH-018 (0.25 mg/kg ip) for 14 consecutive days, with body temperature and cardiovascular parameters measured over the course of treatment. At 1 and 7 days after JWH-018 discontinuation, multiorgan tissue pathologies and heart mitochondria bioenergetics were assessed. The in silico findings predicted risk of cardiac adverse effects specifically for JWH-018 and other aminoalkylindole SCRAs (i.e., electrocardiogram abnormality and QT prolongation). The results from rats revealed that repeated, but not single, JWH-018 exposure induced hypothermia and cardiovascular stimulation (e.g., increased blood pressure and heart rate) which persisted throughout treatment. Post-mortem findings demonstrated cardiac lesions (i.e., vacuolization, waving, edema) 1 day after JWH-018 discontinuation, which may contribute to lung, kidney, and liver tissue degeneration observed 7 days later. Importantly, repeated JWH-018 exposure induced mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes, i.e., defective lipid OXPHOS, which may represent one mechanism of JWH-018-induced toxicity. Our results demonstrate that repeated administration of even a relatively low dose of JWH-018 is sufficient to affect cardiovascular function and induce enduring toxicological consequences, pointing to risks associated with SCRA consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Pintori
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy.
| | - Maria Pina Serra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Antonio Carai
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Carla Lobina
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Section of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Raffaella Isola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Roberta Noli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Gessica Piras
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Enrica Spano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Michael H Baumann
- Designer Drug Research Unit, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Marina Quartu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta De Luca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pollak U, Avniel-Aran A, Binshtok AM, Bar-Yosef O, Bronicki RA, Checchia PA, Finkelstein Y. Exploring the Possible Role of Cannabinoids in Managing Post-cardiac Surgery Complications: A Narrative Review of Preclinical Evidence and a Call for Future Research Directions. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2024; 83:537-546. [PMID: 38498618 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000001560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass often leads to complications including pain, systemic inflammation, and organ damage. Traditionally managed with opioids, these pain relief methods bring potential long-term risks, prompting the exploration of alternative treatments. The legalization of cannabis in various regions has reignited interest in cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol, known for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties. Historical and ongoing research acknowledges the endocannabinoid system's crucial role in managing physiological processes, suggesting that cannabinoids could offer therapeutic benefits in postsurgical recovery. Specifically, cannabidiol has shown promise in managing pain, moderating immune responses, and mitigating ischemia/reperfusion injury, underscoring its potential in postoperative care. However, the translation of these findings into clinical practice faces challenges, highlighting the need for extensive research to establish effective, safe cannabinoid-based therapies for patients undergoing open-heart surgery. This narrative review advocates for a balanced approach, considering both the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids and the complexities of their integration into clinical settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uri Pollak
- Section of Pediatric Critical Care, Hadassah University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adi Avniel-Aran
- Section of Pediatric Critical Care, Hadassah University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Alexander M Binshtok
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
- The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Omer Bar-Yosef
- Pediatric Neurology and Child Development, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronald A Bronicki
- Department of Pediatrics, Critical Care Medicine and Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Paul A Checchia
- Department of Pediatrics, Critical Care Medicine and Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Yaron Finkelstein
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pędzińska-Betiuk A, Schlicker E, Weresa J, Malinowska B. Re-evaluation of the cardioprotective effects of cannabinoids against ischemia-reperfusion injury according to the IMproving Preclinical Assessment of Cardioprotective Therapies (IMPACT) criteria. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1382995. [PMID: 38873412 PMCID: PMC11170160 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1382995] [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: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Ischemic heart disease, associated with high morbidity and mortality, represents a major challenge for the development of drug-based strategies to improve its prognosis. Results of pre-clinical studies suggest that agonists of cannabinoid CB2 receptors and multitarget cannabidiol might be potential cardioprotective strategies against ischemia-reperfusion injury. The aim of our study was to re-evaluate the cardioprotective effects of cannabinoids against ischemia-reperfusion injury according to the IMproving Preclinical Assessment of Cardioprotective Therapies (IMPACT) criteria published recently by the European Union (EU) CARDIOPROTECTION COST ACTION. To meet the minimum criteria of those guidelines, experiments should be performed (i) on healthy small animals subjected to ischemia with reperfusion lasting for at least 2 hours and (ii) confirmed in small animals with comorbidities and co-medications and (iii) in large animals. Our analysis revealed that the publications regarding cardioprotective effects of CB2 receptor agonists and cannabidiol did not meet all three strict steps of IMPACT. Thus, additional experiments are needed to confirm the cardioprotective activities of (endo)cannabinoids mainly on small animals with comorbidities and on large animals. Moreover, our publication underlines the significance of the IMPACT criteria for a proper planning of preclinical experiments regarding cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pędzińska-Betiuk
- Department of Experimental Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Eberhard Schlicker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jolanta Weresa
- Department of Experimental Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Barbara Malinowska
- Department of Experimental Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
de Fátima Dos Santos Sampaio M, de Paiva YB, Sampaio TB, Pereira MG, Coimbra NC. Therapeutic applicability of cannabidiol and other phytocannabinoids in epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease and in comorbidity with psychiatric disorders. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 134:574-601. [PMID: 38477419 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol (CBD) and other Cannabis sativa L. derivatives on diseases of the central nervous system caused by their direct or indirect interaction with endocannabinoid system-related receptors and other molecular targets, such as the 5-HT1A receptor, which is a potential pharmacological target of CBD. Interestingly, CBD binding with the 5-HT1A receptor may be suitable for the treatment of epilepsies, parkinsonian syndromes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in which the 5-HT1A serotonergic receptor plays a key role. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of cannabinoid effects on neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's diseases, and discuss their possible mechanism of action, highlighting interactions with molecular targets and the potential neuroprotective effects of phytocannabinoids. CBD has been shown to have significant therapeutic effects on epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, while nabiximols contribute to a reduction in spasticity and are a frequent option for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Although there are multiple theories on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for neurological disorders, substantially greater progress in the search for strong scientific evidence of their pharmacological effectiveness is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria de Fátima Dos Santos Sampaio
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Agropastoralism Sciences and Technology (CCTA), North Fluminense State University (UENF), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Psychobiology Division, Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yara Bezerra de Paiva
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Psychobiology Division, Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Center (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tuane Bazanella Sampaio
- Pharmacology Post-Graduation Program, Health Sciences Centre, Santa Maria Federal University, Santa Maria, Brazil
| | - Messias Gonzaga Pereira
- Center for Agropastoralism Sciences and Technology (CCTA), North Fluminense State University (UENF), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Psychobiology Division, Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Center (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Brenneman DE, Kinney WA, McDonnell ME, Ippolito MJ, Ward SJ. Knockdown siRNA Targeting GPR55 Reveals Significant Differences Between the Anti-inflammatory Actions of KLS-13019 and Cannabidiol. J Mol Neurosci 2024; 74:41. [PMID: 38602576 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-024-02217-3] [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: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
KLS-13019 was reported previously to reverse paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Recent studies demonstrated that paclitaxel-induced increases in inflammatory markers (GPR55, NLRP3, and IL-1β) of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cultures were shown to be reversed by KLS-13019 treatment. The mechanism of action for KLS-13019-mediated reversal of paclitaxel-induced neuroinflammation now has been explored using GPR55 siRNA. Pre-treatment of DRG cultures with GPR55 siRNA produced a 21% decrease of immunoreactive (IR) area for GPR55 in cell bodies and a 59% decrease in neuritic IR area, as determined by high-content imaging. Using a 24-h reversal treatment paradigm, paclitaxel-induced increases in the inflammatory markers were reversed back to control levels after KLS-3019 treatment. Decreases in these inflammatory markers produced by KLS-13019 were significantly attenuated by GPR55 siRNA co-treatment, with mean IR area responses being attenuated by 56% in neurites and 53% in cell bodies. These data indicate that the percentage decreases in siRNA-mediated attenuation of KLS-13019-related efficacy on the inflammatory markers were similar to the percentage knockdown observed for neuritic GPR55 IR area. Similar studies conducted with cannabidiol (CBD), the parent compound of KLS-13019, produced low efficacy (25%) reversal of all inflammatory markers that were poorly attenuated (29%) by GPR55 siRNA. CBD was shown previously to be ineffective in reversing paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia. The present studies indicated significant differences between the anti-inflammatory properties of KLS-13019 and CBD which may play a role in their observed differences in the reversibility of mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of CIPN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas E Brenneman
- Kannalife Sciences, Inc, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA.
| | - William A Kinney
- Kannalife Sciences, Inc, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Mark E McDonnell
- Kannalife Sciences, Inc, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Michael J Ippolito
- Department of Neural Science, Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Sara Jane Ward
- Department of Neural Science, Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Aran A, Cayam Rand D. Cannabinoid treatment for the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2024; 29:65-79. [PMID: 38226593 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2024.2306290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting approximately 3% of school-age children. The core symptoms are deficits in social communication and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Associated problems in cognition, language, behavior, sleep and mood are prevalent. Currently, no established pharmacological treatment exists for core ASD symptoms. Risperidone and aripiprazole are used to manage associated irritability, but their effectiveness is limited and adverse events are common. AREAS COVERED This mini-review summarizes existing scientific literature and ongoing clinical trials concerning cannabinoid treatment for ASD. Uncontrolled case series have documented improvements in both core ASD symptoms and related behavioral challenges in children treated with cannabis extracts rich in cannabidiol (CBD). Placebo-controlled studies involving CBD-rich cannabis extracts and/or pure CBD in children with ASD have demonstrated mixed efficacy results. A similar outcome was observed in a placebo-controlled study of pure CBD addressing social avoidance in Fragile X syndrome. Importantly, these studies have shown relatively high safety and tolerability. EXPERT OPINION While current clinical data suggest the potential of CBD and CBD-rich cannabis extract in managing core and behavioral deficits in ASD, it is prudent to await the results of ongoing placebo-controlled trials before considering CBD treatment for ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adi Aran
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
- Israel School of Medicine, Hebrew university of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dalit Cayam Rand
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
- Israel School of Medicine, Hebrew university of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alzu'bi A, Almahasneh F, Khasawneh R, Abu-El-Rub E, Baker WB, Al-Zoubi RM. The synthetic cannabinoids menace: a review of health risks and toxicity. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:49. [PMID: 38216984 PMCID: PMC10785485 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01443-6] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are chemically classified as psychoactive substances that target the endocannabinoid system in many body organs. SCs can initiate pathophysiological changes in many tissues which can be severe enough to damage the normal functionality of our body systems. The majority of SCs-related side effects are mediated by activating Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1R) and Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2R). The activation of these receptors can enkindle many downstream signalling pathways, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis that ultimately can produce deleterious changes in many organs. Besides activating the cannabinoid receptors, SCs can act on non-cannabinoid targets, such as the orphan G protein receptors GPR55 and GPR18, the Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptors (PPARs), and the Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), which are broadly expressed in the brain and the heart and their activation mediates many pharmacological effects of SCs. In this review, we shed light on the multisystem complications found in SCs abusers, particularly discussing their neurologic, cardiovascular, renal, and hepatic effects, as well as highlighting the mechanisms that intermediate SCs-related pharmacological and toxicological consequences to provide comprehensive understanding of their short and long-term systemic effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Alzu'bi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 211-63, Jordan.
| | - Fatimah Almahasneh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 211-63, Jordan
| | - Ramada Khasawneh
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 211-63, Jordan
| | - Ejlal Abu-El-Rub
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 211-63, Jordan
| | - Worood Bani Baker
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 211-63, Jordan
| | - Raed M Al-Zoubi
- Surgical Research Section, Department of Surgery, Hamad Medical Corporation & Men'S Health, Doha, Qatar.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, QU-Health, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, 2713, Qatar.
- Department of Chemistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O.Box 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhao M, Zheng Z, Yin Z, Zhang J, Qin J, Wan J, Wang M. Resolvin D2 and its receptor GPR18 in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases: A promising biomarker and therapeutic target. Pharmacol Res 2023; 195:106832. [PMID: 37364787 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of the initiation and progression of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (CVMDs). Anti-inflammation strategies and those that promote inflammation resolution have gradually become potential therapeutic approaches for CVMDs. Resolvin D2 (RvD2), a specialized pro-resolving mediator, exerts anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution effects through its receptor GPR18, a G protein-coupled receptor. Recently, the RvD2/GPR18 axis has received more attention due to its protective role in CVMDs, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, ischaemiareperfusion, and diabetes. Here, we introduce basic information about RvD2 and GPR18, summarize their roles in different immune cells, and review the therapeutic potential of the RvD2/GPR18 axis in CVMDs. In summary, RvD2 and its receptor GPR18 play an important role in the occurrence and development of CVMDs and are potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Zihui Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Zheng Yin
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Jishou Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China
| | - Juanjuan Qin
- Department of Geriatrics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Center for Healthy Aging, Wuhan University School of Nursing, Wuhan 430060, China.
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China.
| | - Menglong Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan 430060, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Frankowska M, Wydra K, Suder A, Zaniewska M, Gawliński D, Miszkiel J, Furgała-Wojas A, Sałat K, Filip M, Müller CE, Kieć-Kononowicz K, Kotańska M. Novel GPR18 Ligands in Rodent Pharmacological Tests: Effects on Mood, Pain, and Eating Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109046. [PMID: 37240392 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of selective pharmacological tools has limited the full unraveling of G protein-coupled receptor 18 (GPR18) functions. The present study was aimed at discovering the activities of three novel preferential or selective GPR18 ligands, one agonist (PSB-KK-1415) and two antagonists (PSB-CB-5 and PSB-CB-27). We investigated these ligands in several screening tests, considering the relationship between GPR18 and the cannabinoid (CB) receptor system, and the control of endoCB signaling over emotions, food intake, pain sensation, and thermoregulation. We also assessed whether the novel compounds could modulate the subjective effects evoked by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Male mice or rats were pretreated with the GPR18 ligands, and locomotor activity, depression- and anxiety-like symptoms, pain threshold, core temperature, food intake, and THC-vehicle discrimination were measured. Our screening analyses indicated that GPR18 activation partly results in effects that are similar to those of CB receptor activation, considering the impact on emotional behavior, food intake, and pain activity. Thus, the orphan GPR18 may provide a novel therapeutic target for mood, pain, and/or eating disorders, and further investigation is warranted to better discern its function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Frankowska
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Karolina Wydra
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Agata Suder
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Magdalena Zaniewska
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Dawid Gawliński
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Miszkiel
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna Furgała-Wojas
- Chair of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9 Street, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Kinga Sałat
- Chair of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9 Street, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Filip
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12 Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland
| | - Christa E Müller
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 4, D-53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Katarzyna Kieć-Kononowicz
- Chair of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9 Street, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| | - Magdalena Kotańska
- Department of Pharmacological Screening, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9 Street, 30-688 Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Roque-Bravo R, Silva RS, Malheiro RF, Carmo H, Carvalho F, da Silva DD, Silva JP. Synthetic Cannabinoids: A Pharmacological and Toxicological Overview. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:187-209. [PMID: 35914767 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-031122-113758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a chemically diverse group of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) that target the endocannabinoid system, triggering a plethora of actions (e.g., elevated mood sensation, relaxation, appetite stimulation) that resemble, but are more intense than, those induced by cannabis. Although some of these effects have been explored for therapeutic applications, anticipated stronger psychoactive effects than cannabis and reduced risk perception have increased the recreational use of SCs, which have dominated the NPS market in the United States and Europe over the past decade. However, rising SC-related intoxications and deaths represent a major public health concern and embody a major challenge for policy makers. Here, we review the pharmacology and toxicology of SCs. A thorough characterization of SCs' pharmacodynamics and toxicodynamics is important to better understand the main mechanisms underlying acute and chronic effects of SCs, interpret the clinical/pathological findings related to SC use, and improve SC risk awareness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Roque-Bravo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| | - Rafaela Sofia Silva
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| | - Rui F Malheiro
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| | - Helena Carmo
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| | - Félix Carvalho
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| | - Diana Dias da Silva
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; , .,Toxicology Research Unit (TOXRUN), University Institute of Health Sciences, IUCS-CESPU, Gandra, Portugal
| | - João Pedro Silva
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, and UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ,
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abd-Nikfarjam B, Dolati-Somarin A, Baradaran Rahimi V, Askari VR. Cannabinoids in neuroinflammatory disorders: Focusing on multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons, and Alzheimers diseases. Biofactors 2023. [PMID: 36637897 DOI: 10.1002/biof.1936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The medicinal properties of cannabis and cannabinoid-derivative are entirely investigated and known. In addition, the identification of psychotropic plant cannabinoids has led to more studies regarding the cannabinoid system and its therapeutic features in the treatment and management of clinical symptoms of neuroinflammatory disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinsons disease (PD), and Alzheimers disease (AD). In fact, cannabinoid agonists are able to control and regulate inflammatory responses. In contrast to the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) and its unwanted adverse effects, the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) and its ligands hold promise for new and effective therapeutic approaches. So far, some successes have been achieved in this field. This review will discuss an outline of the endocannabinoid system's involvement in neuroinflammatory disorders. Moreover, the pharmacological efficacy of different natural and synthetic preparations of phytocannabinoids acting on cannabinoid receptors, particularly in MS, PD, and AD, will be updated. Also, the reasons for targeting CB2 for neurodegeneration will be explained.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Abd-Nikfarjam
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | | | - Vafa Baradaran Rahimi
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Vahid Reza Askari
- International UNESCO Center for Health-Related Basic Sciences and Human Nutrition, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhang Q, Zhou M, Huo M, Si Y, Zhang Y, Fang Y, Zhang D. Mechanisms of acupuncture-electroacupuncture on inflammatory pain. Mol Pain 2023; 19:17448069231202882. [PMID: 37678839 PMCID: PMC10515556 DOI: 10.1177/17448069231202882] [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: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Acupuncture, as a traditional treatment, has been extensively used in China for thousands of years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), acupuncture is recommended for the treatment of 77 diseases. And 16 of these diseases are related to inflammatory pain. As a combination of traditional acupuncture and modern electrotherapy, electroacupuncture (EA) has satisfactory analgesic effects on various acute and chronic pain. Because of its good analgesic effects and no side effects, acupuncture has been widely accepted all over the world. Despite the increase in the number of studies, the mechanisms via which acupuncture exerts its analgesic effects have not been conclusively established. A literature review of related research is of great significance to elaborate on its mechanisms and to inform on further research directions. We elucidated on its mechanisms of action on inflammatory pain from two levels: peripheral and central. It includes the mechanisms of acupuncture in the periphery (immune cells and neurons, purinergic pathway, nociceptive ion channel, cannabinoid receptor and endogenous opioid peptide system) and central nervous system (TPRV1, glutamate and its receptors, glial cells, GABAergic interneurons and signaling molecules). In this review, we collected relevant recent studies to systematically explain the mechanisms of acupuncture in treating inflammatory pain, with a view to providing direction for future applications of acupuncture in inflammatory pain and promoting clinical development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingxiang Zhang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhou
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingzhu Huo
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuxin Si
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Youlin Zhang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuxin Fang
- Research Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, College of Acumox and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Di Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Engineering of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Noya-Riobó MV, Miguel CÁ, Soriano DB, Brumovsky PR, Villar MJ, Coronel MF. Changes in the expression of endocannabinoid system components in an experimental model of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain: Evaluation of sex-related differences. Exp Neurol 2023; 359:114232. [PMID: 36179876 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain is a serious clinical problem and one of the major side effects in cancer treatment. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role in regulating pain neurotransmission, and changes in the expression of different components of the ECS have been reported in experimental models of persistent pain. In addition, sex differences have been observed in ECS regulation and function. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether administration of oxaliplatin, a neurotoxic antineoplastic agent, induced changes in the expression of ECS components in peripheral and central stations of the pain pathway, and if those changes exhibited sexual dimorphism. Adult male and female rats were injected with oxaliplatin or saline, and mechanical and cold hypersensitivity and allodynia were evaluated using Von Frey and Choi Tests. The mRNA levels corresponding to cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2), cannabinoid-related receptors (GPR55, 5HT1A, TRPV1) and to the main enzymes involved in the synthesis (DAGL, DAGL, NAPE-PLD) and degradation (MGL, FAAH) of endocannabinoids were assessed in lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and spinal cord by using real time RT-PCR. In addition, the levels of the main endocannabinoids, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide (AEA), were evaluated using commercial ELISA kits. Oxaliplatin administration induced the development of mechanical and cold hypersensitivity and allodynia in male and female animals. Oxaliplatin also induced early and robust changes in the expression of several components of the ECS in DRGs. A marked upregulation of CB1, CB2, 5HT1A and TRPV1 was detected in both sexes. Interestingly, while DAGL mRNA levels remained unchanged, DAGL was downregulated in male and upregulated in female rats. Finally, MGL and NAPE-PLD showed increased levels only in male animals, while FAAH resulted upregulated in both sexes. In parallel, reduced 2-AG and AEA levels were detected in DRGs from male or female rats, respectively. In the lumbar spinal cord, only TRPV1 mRNA levels were found to be upregulated in both sexes. Our results reveal previously unreported changes in the expression of cannabinoid receptors, ligands and enzymes occurring mainly in the peripheral nervous system and displaying certain sexual dimorphism. These changes may contribute to the physiopathology of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain in male and female rats. A better understanding of these dynamic changes will facilitate the development of mechanism- and sex-specific approaches to optimize the use of cannabinoid-based medicines for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced pain.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Female
- Male
- Rats
- Animals
- Endocannabinoids/metabolism
- Endocannabinoids/therapeutic use
- Sex Characteristics
- Hyperalgesia/metabolism
- Oxaliplatin/toxicity
- TRPV Cation Channels/metabolism
- Neuralgia/metabolism
- Receptors, Cannabinoid/metabolism
- Cannabinoids
- Antineoplastic Agents/toxicity
- Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
- RNA, Messenger
- Models, Theoretical
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/therapeutic use
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Victoria Noya-Riobó
- Laboratorio de Dolor en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional CONICET - Universidad Austral, Av. Pte. Perón 1500, B1629AHJ, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Constanza Ágata Miguel
- Laboratorio de Dolor en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional CONICET - Universidad Austral, Av. Pte. Perón 1500, B1629AHJ, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Delia Beatriz Soriano
- Laboratorio de Dolor en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional CONICET - Universidad Austral, Av. Pte. Perón 1500, B1629AHJ, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Austral, Av. Pte. Perón 1500, B1629AHJ, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Rodolfo Brumovsky
- Laboratorio de Mecanismos e Innovación Terapéutica en Dolor, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional CONICET, Universidad Austral, Av. Pte. Perón 1500, B1629AHJ, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Austral, Av. Pte. Perón 1500, B1629AHJ, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marcelo José Villar
- Laboratorio de Dolor en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional CONICET - Universidad Austral, Av. Pte. Perón 1500, B1629AHJ, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Austral, Av. Pte. Perón 1500, B1629AHJ, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Florencia Coronel
- Laboratorio de Dolor en Cáncer, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional CONICET - Universidad Austral, Av. Pte. Perón 1500, B1629AHJ, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Austral, Av. Pte. Perón 1500, B1629AHJ, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gómez-Cañas M, Rodríguez-Cueto C, Satta V, Hernández-Fisac I, Navarro E, Fernández-Ruiz J. Endocannabinoid-Binding Receptors as Drug Targets. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2576:67-94. [PMID: 36152178 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis plant has been used from ancient times with therapeutic purposes for treating human pathologies, but the identification of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic properties of the phytocannabinoids, the active compounds in this plant, occurred in the last years of the past century. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, seminal studies demonstrated the existence of cannabinoid receptors and other elements of the so-called endocannabinoid system. These G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a key element in the functions assigned to endocannabinoids and appear to serve as promising pharmacological targets. They include CB1, CB2, and GPR55, but also non-GPCRs can be activated by endocannabinoids, like ionotropic receptor TRPV1 and even nuclear receptors of the PPAR family. Their activation, inhibition, or simply modulation have been associated with numerous physiological effects at both central and peripheral levels, which may have therapeutic value in different human pathologies, then providing a solid experimental explanation for both the ancient medicinal uses of Cannabis plant and the recent advances in the development of cannabinoid-based specific therapies. This chapter will review the scientific knowledge generated in the last years around the research on the different endocannabinoid-binding receptors and their signaling mechanisms. Our intention is that this knowledge may help readers to understand the relevance of these receptors in health and disease conditions, as well as it may serve as the theoretical basis for the different experimental protocols to investigate these receptors and their signaling mechanisms that will be described in the following chapters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Gómez-Cañas
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Rodríguez-Cueto
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Valentina Satta
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés Hernández-Fisac
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Navarro
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Fernández-Ruiz
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Silva JP, Carvalho F. El uso terapéutico del cannabis y los cannabinoides. REVISTA ESPAÑOLA DE DROGODEPENDENCIAS 2022; 47:103-122. [DOI: 10.54108/10031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Los cannabinoides se dirigen principalmente al sistema endocannabinoide (ECS), que surge
como un objetivo terapéutico potencialmente interesante debido a su importante papel en la
modulación de procesos biológicos clave en todo el organismo. Como tal, los cannabinoides
ya se han propuesto como, por ejemplo, antieméticos, agentes antiespásticos, estimulantes del
apetito, antiepilépticos, analgésicos, depresores de la presión intraocular o como agentes para
controlar los trastornos del movimiento en el síndrome de Tourette.
Aquí revisamos las pruebas de investigación disponibles sobre el uso del cannabis y los cannabinoides
para un conjunto de aplicaciones terapéuticas sugeridas, y abordamos algunos de los
riesgos a corto y largo plazo que se han correlacionado con el uso de estas sustancias.
Encontramos escasas pruebas científicas que apoyen el uso de productos basados en el cannabis
para la mayoría de las aplicaciones sugeridas, así como ninguna necesidad médica no satisfecha
que no esté ya abordada por los medicamentos existentes (algunos basados en cannabinoides)
en el mercado. En este escenario, los riesgos potenciales asociados al uso crónico de estas sustancias
pueden disuadir su uso médico.
Collapse
|
16
|
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Cannabinoids from Cannabis Sativa for Medicinal Purpose. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122718. [PMID: 36559212 PMCID: PMC9785504 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122718] [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: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, the interest in Cannabis oily extracts for medicinal use compounded in pharmacy has consistently grown, along with the need to have preparations of adequate quality. Hot maceration (M) is the most frequently used method to compound oily solutions. In this work, we systematically studied the possibility of using an ultrasonic homogenizer and a sonotrode (US) as an alternative extraction method. Oily solutions were prepared using two available varieties of Cannabis for medicinal use, called FM2 and Bedrocan. All preparations resulted with an equivalent content in CBD and THC, with the advantage of a faster process using US. In particular, 10 min sonication at the amplitude optimized for the sonotrode used (2 or 7 mm) provides not statistically different total Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (M-FM2: 0.26 ± 0.02 % w/w; US-FM2: 0.19 ± 0.004 % w/w; M-Bedrocan: 1.83 ± 0.17 % w/w; US-Bedrocan: 1.98 ± 0.01 % w/w) and total cannabidiol (M-FM2: 0.59 ± 0.04 % w/w; US-FM2: 0.58 ± 0.01 % w/w) amounts extracted in refined olive oil. It can therefore be confirmed that sonotrode is an efficient and fast extraction technique and its use is without negative consequence on the solvent properties. Despite DSC evidencing that both maceration and sonication modify the Tonset and enthalpy of the event at about -10 °C, the qualitative characteristics of the oil remained constant for the two treatments and similar to the starting material.
Collapse
|
17
|
Pricope CV, Tamba BI, Stanciu GD, Cuciureanu M, Neagu AN, Creanga-Murariu I, Dobrovat BI, Uritu CM, Filipiuc SI, Pricope BM, Alexa-Stratulat T. The Roles of Imaging Biomarkers in the Management of Chronic Neuropathic Pain. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13038. [PMID: 36361821 PMCID: PMC9657736 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) affects around 10% of the general population and has a significant social, emotional, and economic impact. Current diagnosis techniques rely mainly on patient-reported outcomes and symptoms, which leads to significant diagnostic heterogeneity and subsequent challenges in management and assessment of outcomes. As such, it is necessary to review the approach to a pathology that occurs so frequently, with such burdensome and complex implications. Recent research has shown that imaging methods can detect subtle neuroplastic changes in the central and peripheral nervous system, which can be correlated with neuropathic symptoms and may serve as potential markers. The aim of this paper is to review available imaging methods used for diagnosing and assessing therapeutic efficacy in CNP for both the preclinical and clinical setting. Of course, further research is required to standardize and improve detection accuracy, but available data indicate that imaging is a valuable tool that can impact the management of CNP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cosmin Vasilica Pricope
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ionel Tamba
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Gabriela Dumitrita Stanciu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Magdalena Cuciureanu
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Algesiology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Anca Narcisa Neagu
- Laboratory of Animal Histology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Carol I bvd. No. 22, 700505 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ioana Creanga-Murariu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan-Ionut Dobrovat
- Department of Radiology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristina Mariana Uritu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Silviu Iulian Filipiuc
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bianca-Mariana Pricope
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Interdisciplinarity, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Teodora Alexa-Stratulat
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Medical Oncology-Radiotherapy Department, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 University Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhang T, Zuo G, Zhang H. GPR18 Agonist Resolvin D2 Reduces Early Brain Injury in a Rat Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage by Multiple Protective Mechanisms. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2022; 42:2379-2392. [PMID: 34089427 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01114-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Early brain injury (EBI) is the early phase of secondary complications arising from subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). G protein-coupled receptor 18 (GPR18) can exert neuroprotective effects during ischemia. In this study, we investigated the roles of GPR18 in different brain regions during EBI using a GPR18 agonist, resolvin D2 (RvD2). Location and dynamics of GPR18 expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting in a rat model of SAH based on endovascular perforation. RvD2 was given intranasally at 1 h after SAH, and SAH grade, brain water content and behavior were assayed before sacrifice. TUNEL and dihydroethidium staining of the cortex were performed at 24 h after SAH. Selected brain regions were also examined for pathway related proteins using immunofluorescence and Western blotting. We found that GPR18 was expressed in meninges, hypothalamus, cortex and white matter before EBI. After SAH, GPR18 expression was increased in meninges and hypothalamus but decreased in cortex and white matter. RvD2 improved neurological scores and brain edema after SAH. RvD2 attenuated mast cell degranulation and reduced expression of chymase and tryptase expression in the meninges. In the hypothalamus, RvD2 attenuated inflammation, increased expression of proopiomelanocortin and interleukin-10, as well as decreased expression of nerve peptide Y and tumor necrosis factor-α. In cortex, RvD2 alleviated oxidative stress and apoptosis, and protected the blood-brain barrier. RvD2 also ameliorated white matter injury by elevating myelin basic protein and suppressing amyloid precursor protein. Our results suggest that GPR18 may help protect multiple brain regions during EBI, particularly in the cortex and hypothalamus. Upregulating GPR18 by RvD2 may improve neurological functions in different brain regions via multiple mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tongyu Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 45 Changchun St., Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Gang Zuo
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Taicang Hospital, Soochow University, Taicang, Suzhou, 215400, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongqi Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, 45 Changchun St., Beijing, 100053, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Promising Nanocarriers to Enhance Solubility and Bioavailability of Cannabidiol for a Plethora of Therapeutic Opportunities. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27186070. [PMID: 36144803 PMCID: PMC9502382 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27186070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the interest in cannabidiol (CBD) has increased because of the lack of psychoactive properties. However, CBD has low solubility and bioavailability, variable pharmacokinetics profiles, poor stability, and a pronounced presystemic metabolism. CBD nanoformulations include nanosuspensions, polymeric micelles and nanoparticles, hybrid nanoparticles jelled in cross-linked chitosan, and numerous nanosized lipid formulations, including nanostructured lipid carriers, vesicles, SNEEDS, nanoemulsions, and microemulsions. Nanoformulations have resulted in high CBD solubility, encapsulation efficiency, and stability, and sustained CBD release. Some studies assessed the increased Cmax and AUC and decreased Tmax. A rational evaluation of the studies reported in this review evidences how some of them are very preliminary and should be completed before performing clinical trials. Almost all the developed nanoparticles have simple architectures, are well-known and safe nanocarriers, or are even simple nanosuspensions. In addition, the conventional routes of administration are generally investigated. As a consequence, many of these studies are almost ready for forthcoming clinical translations. Some of the developed nanosystems are very promising for a plethora of therapeutic opportunities because of the versatility in terms of the release, the crossing of physiological barriers, and the number of possible routes of administration.
Collapse
|
20
|
Welling MT, Deseo MA, Bacic A, Doblin MS. Biosynthetic origins of unusual cannabimimetic phytocannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L: A review. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2022; 201:113282. [PMID: 35718133 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2022.113282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plants of Cannabis sativa L. (Cannabaceae) produce an array of more than 160 isoprenylated resorcinyl polyketides, commonly referred to as phytocannabinoids. These compounds represent molecules of therapeutic importance due to their modulation of the human endocannabinoid system (ECS). While understanding of the biosynthesis of the major phytocannabinoids Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) has grown rapidly in recent years, the biosynthetic origin and genetic regulation of many potentially therapeutically relevant minor phytocannabinoids remain unknown, which limits the development of chemotypically elite varieties of C. sativa. This review provides an up-to-date inventory of unusual phytocannabinoids which exhibit cannabimimetic-like activities and proposes putative metabolic origins. Metabolic branch points exploitable for combinatorial biosynthesis and engineering of phytocannabinoids with augmented therapeutic activities are also described, as is the role of phytocannabinoid remodelling to accelerate the therapeutic portfolio expansion in C. sativa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T Welling
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture & Food, AgriBio Building, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Myrna A Deseo
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture & Food, AgriBio Building, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia; Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture, AgriBio Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Antony Bacic
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture & Food, AgriBio Building, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia; Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture, AgriBio Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Monika S Doblin
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture & Food, AgriBio Building, Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia; Australian Research Council Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture, AgriBio Building, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Brenneman DE, Kinney WA, McDonnell ME, Zhao P, Abood ME, Ward SJ. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of KLS-13019: a Novel GPR55 Antagonist for Dorsal Root Ganglion and Hippocampal Cultures. J Mol Neurosci 2022; 72:1859-1874. [PMID: 35779192 PMCID: PMC9398971 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02038-2] [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: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
KLS-13019, a novel devised cannabinoid-like compound, was explored for anti-inflammatory actions in dorsal root ganglion cultures relevant to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Time course studies with 3 µM paclitaxel indicated > 1.9-fold increases in immunoreactive (IR) area for cell body GPR55 after 30 min as determined by high content imaging. To test for reversibility of paclitaxel-induced increases in GPR55, cultures were treated for 8 h with paclitaxel alone and then a dose response to KLS-13019 added for another 16 h. This "reversal" paradigm indicated established increases in cell body GPR55 IR areas were decreased back to control levels. Because GPR55 had previously reported inflammatory actions, IL-1β and NLRP3 (inflammasome-3 marker) were also measured in the "reversal" paradigm. Significant increases in all inflammatory markers were produced after 8 h of paclitaxel treatment alone that were reversed to control levels with KLS-13019 treatment. Accompanying studies using alamar blue indicated that decreased cellular viability produced by paclitaxel treatment was reverted back to control levels by KLS-13019. Similar studies conducted with lysophosphatidylinositol (GPR55 agonist) in DRG or hippocampal cultures demonstrated significant increases in neuritic GPR55, NLRP3 and IL-1β areas that were reversed to control levels with KLS-13019 treatment. Studies with a human GPR55-β-arrestin assay in Discover X cells indicated that KLS-13019 was an antagonist without agonist activity. These studies indicated that KLS-13019 has anti-inflammatory properties mediated through GPR55 antagonist actions. Together with previous studies, KLS-13019 is a potent neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory cannabinoid with therapeutic potential for high efficacy treatment of neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas E Brenneman
- Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, Kannalife Sciences, Inc, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA.
| | - William A Kinney
- Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, Kannalife Sciences, Inc, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Mark E McDonnell
- Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, Kannalife Sciences, Inc, 3805 Old Easton Road, Doylestown, PA, 18902, USA
| | - Pingei Zhao
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Mary E Abood
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| | - Sara Jane Ward
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Bogdanova OV, Bogdanov VB, Pizano A, Bouvard M, Cazalets JR, Mellen N, Amestoy A. The Current View on the Paradox of Pain in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:910824. [PMID: 35935443 PMCID: PMC9352888 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.910824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which affects 1 in 44 children and may cause severe disabilities. Besides socio-communicational difficulties and repetitive behaviors, ASD also presents as atypical sensorimotor function and pain reactivity. While chronic pain is a frequent co-morbidity in autism, pain management in this population is often insufficient because of difficulties in pain evaluation, worsening their prognosis and perhaps driving higher mortality rates. Previous observations have tended to oversimplify the experience of pain in autism as being insensitive to painful stimuli. Various findings in the past 15 years have challenged and complicated this dogma. However, a relatively small number of studies investigates the physiological correlates of pain reactivity in ASD. We explore the possibility that atypical pain perception in people with ASD is mediated by alterations in pain perception, transmission, expression and modulation, and through interactions between these processes. These complex interactions may account for the great variability and sometimes contradictory findings from the studies. A growing body of evidence is challenging the idea of alterations in pain processing in ASD due to a single factor, and calls for an integrative view. We propose a model of the pain cycle that includes the interplay between the molecular and neurophysiological pathways of pain processing and it conscious appraisal that may interfere with pain reactivity and coping in autism. The role of social factors in pain-induced response is also discussed. Pain assessment in clinical care is mostly based on subjective rather than objective measures. This review clarifies the strong need for a consistent methodology, and describes innovative tools to cope with the heterogeneity of pain expression in ASD, enabling individualized assessment. Multiple measures, including self-reporting, informant reporting, clinician-assessed, and purely physiological metrics may provide more consistent results. An integrative view on the regulation of the pain cycle offers a more robust framework to characterize the experience of pain in autism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olena V. Bogdanova
- CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA, UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Volodymyr B. Bogdanov
- Laboratoire EA 4136 – Handicap Activité Cognition Santé HACS, Collège Science de la Sante, Institut Universitaire des Sciences de la Réadaptation, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Adrien Pizano
- CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA, UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Bordeaux, France
| | - Manuel Bouvard
- CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA, UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Rene Cazalets
- CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA, UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Nicholas Mellen
- Department of Neurology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Anouck Amestoy
- CNRS, Aquitaine Institute for Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience, INCIA, UMR 5287, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Centre Hospitalier Charles-Perrens, Pôle Universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Bordeaux, France
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Schnapp A, Harel M, Cayam-Rand D, Cassuto H, Polyansky L, Aran A. A Placebo-Controlled Trial of Cannabinoid Treatment for Disruptive Behavior in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Effects on Sleep Parameters as Measured by the CSHQ. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071685. [PMID: 35884990 PMCID: PMC9312464 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often associated with debilitating sleep disturbances. While anecdotal evidence suggests the positive effect of cannabinoids, randomized studies are lacking. Here, we report the effects of cannabinoid treatment on the sleep of 150 children and adolescents with ASD, as part of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that assessed the impact of cannabinoid treatment on behavior (NCT02956226). Participants were randomly assigned to one of the following three treatments: (1) whole-plant cannabis extract, containing cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in a 20:1 ratio, (2) purified CBD and THC extract in the same ratio, and (3) an oral placebo. After 12 weeks of treatment (Period 1) and a 4-week washout period, participants crossed over to a predetermined, second 12-week treatment (Period 2). Sleep disturbances were assessed using the Children’s Sleep-Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ). We found that the CBD-rich cannabinoid treatment was not superior to the placebo treatment in all aspects of sleep measured by the CSHQ, including bedtime resistance, sleep-onset delay, and sleep duration. Notably, regardless of the treatment (cannabinoids or placebo), improvements in the CSHQ total score were associated with improvements in the autistic core symptoms, as indicated by the Social Responsiveness Scale total scores (Period 1: r = 0.266, p = 0.008; Period 2: r = 0.309, p = 0.004). While this study failed to demonstrate that sleep improvements were higher with cannabinoids than they were with the placebo treatment, further studies are required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aviad Schnapp
- Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, Israel;
| | - Moria Harel
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel; (M.H.); (D.C.-R.); (L.P.)
| | - Dalit Cayam-Rand
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel; (M.H.); (D.C.-R.); (L.P.)
| | - Hanoch Cassuto
- Child Development Centers, Leumit Health Services, Jerusalem 9439221, Israel;
| | - Lola Polyansky
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel; (M.H.); (D.C.-R.); (L.P.)
| | - Adi Aran
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel; (M.H.); (D.C.-R.); (L.P.)
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Gur Maz T, Turanlı S, Caliskan HB, Çalışkan B, Banoglu E. Development and molecular modeling studies of new thiadiazole piperazine urea derivatives as potential fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2022; 355:e2200082. [PMID: 35500130 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202200082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A series of novel piperazine urea derivatives with thiadiazole moieties were designed, synthesized, and investigated for their inhibition potential against human fatty acid amide hydrolase (hFAAH). The urea derivatives possessing p-chlorophenylthiadiazole and benzylpiperazine fragments (19-22) were effective inhibitors of hFAAH. Notably, compounds with 4-chlorobenzyl (19) and 4-fluorobenzyl (20) tails at the piperazine side were identified as the most active inhibitors with IC50 values of 0.13 and 0.22 µM, respectively. The preincubation test of 19 was in agreement with the irreversible binding mechanism. Molecular docking was performed to explore the potential binding interactions with key amino acid residues at the FAAH active site. These newly identified inhibitors could serve as leads for the further development of potent and selective FAAH inhibitors for FAAH-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tugce Gur Maz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sumeyye Turanlı
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Burcu Çalışkan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Erden Banoglu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Simone JJ, Green MR, McCormick CM. Endocannabinoid system contributions to sex-specific adolescent neurodevelopment. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 113:110438. [PMID: 34534603 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
With an increasing number of countries and states adopting legislation permitting the use of cannabis for medical purposes, there is a growing interest among health and research professionals into the system through which cannabinoids principally act, the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Much of the seminal research into the ECS dates back only 30 years and, although there has been tremendous development within the field during this time, many questions remain. More recently, investigations have emerged examining the contributions of the ECS to normative development and the effect of altering this system during important critical periods. One such period is adolescence, a unique period during which brain and behaviours are maturing and reorganizing in preparation for adulthood, including shifts in endocannabinoid biology. The purpose of this review is to discuss findings to date regarding the maturation of the ECS during adolescence and the consequences of manipulations of the ECS during this period to normative neurodevelopmental processes, as well as highlight sex differences in ECS function, important technical considerations, and future directions. Because most of what we know is derived from preclinical studies on rodents, we provide relevant background of this model and some commentary on the translational relevance of the research in this area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan J Simone
- Department of Biological Sciences, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Centre for Neuroscience, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Huxley Health Inc., 8820 Jane St., Concord, ON, L4K 2M9, Canada; eCB Consulting Inc., PO Box 652, 3 Cameron St. W., Cannington, ON L0E 1E0, Canada; Medical Cannabis Canada, 601-3500 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville, ON L6L 0B4, Canada.
| | - Matthew R Green
- eCB Consulting Inc., PO Box 652, 3 Cameron St. W., Cannington, ON L0E 1E0, Canada; Medical Cannabis Canada, 601-3500 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville, ON L6L 0B4, Canada.
| | - Cheryl M McCormick
- Department of Biological Sciences, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Centre for Neuroscience, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada; Department of Psychology, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON L2S 3A1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Modemann DJ, Maharadhika A, Yamoune S, Kreyenschmidt AK, Maaß F, Kremers S, Breunig C, Sahlmann CO, Bucerius JA, Stalke D, Wiltfang J, Bouter Y, Müller CE, Bouter C, Meller B. Development of high-affinity fluorinated ligands for cannabinoid subtype 2 receptor, and in vitro evaluation of a radioactive tracer for imaging. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 232:114138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
|
27
|
Andrieu T, Chicca A, Pellegata D, Bersinger NA, Imboden S, Nirgianakis K, Gertsch J, Mueller MD. Association of endocannabinoids with pain in endometriosis. Pain 2022; 163:193-203. [PMID: 34001768 PMCID: PMC8675052 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Endocannabinoid (eCB) levels fluctuate in inflammatory conditions and as such may take part in endometriosis-associated pain or even in endometriosis pathogenesis. In this case-control (23 cases and 19 controls) study, targeted lipids were measured in the serum and peritoneal fluid collected during laparoscopy. Endometriosis was confirmed histologically. Dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain, and dyspareunia were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale for pain. Steroids, eCBs, and related lipids were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-8, PAPP-A, PP14, RANTES, OPG, MIDKINE, MCP-1, VEGF, leptin, and defensins were quantified by ELISA. We found that eCB levels were significantly influenced by both noncyclic and cyclic abdominal pain. Specifically, women suffering from noncyclic abdominal pain were characterized by a higher 2-AG level in the peritoneal fluid throughout the menstrual cycle, whereas women suffering from dysmenorrhea had higher 2-AG levels and lower AEA levels during the proliferative phase alone. In addition, 2-AG positively correlated with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and the ratio AEA/2-AG positively correlated with defensins, suggesting a possible link between endocannabinoids system and inflammatory pain. The results of the current study indicate that the eCB system may play a role in endometriosis-associated pain, but additional studies are needed to investigate the causal relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Andrieu
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, MEM, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Chicca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (IBMM), NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniele Pellegata
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (IBMM), NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nick A. Bersinger
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, MEM, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sara Imboden
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, MEM, Bern, Switzerland
- Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Konstantinos Nirgianakis
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, MEM, Bern, Switzerland
- Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Juerg Gertsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (IBMM), NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael D. Mueller
- Department of BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, MEM, Bern, Switzerland
- Universitätsklinik für Frauenheilkunde, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Iozzo M, Sgrignani G, Comito G, Chiarugi P, Giannoni E. Endocannabinoid System and Tumour Microenvironment: New Intertwined Connections for Anticancer Approaches. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123396. [PMID: 34943903 PMCID: PMC8699381 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumour microenvironment (TME) is now recognised as a hallmark of cancer, since tumour:stroma crosstalk supports the key steps of tumour growth and progression. The dynamic co-evolution of the tumour and stromal compartments may alter the surrounding microenvironment, including the composition in metabolites and signalling mediators. A growing number of evidence reports the involvement of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in cancer. ECS is composed by a complex network of ligands, receptors, and enzymes, which act in synergy and contribute to several physiological but also pathological processes. Several in vitro and in vivo evidence show that ECS deregulation in cancer cells affects proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and metastatic potential. Although it is still an evolving research, recent experimental evidence also suggests that ECS can modulate the functional behaviour of several components of the TME, above all the immune cells, endothelial cells and stromal components. However, the role of ECS in the tumour:stroma interplay remains unclear and research in this area is particularly intriguing. This review aims to shed light on the latest relevant findings of the tumour response to ECS modulation, encouraging a more in-depth analysis in this field. Novel discoveries could be promising for novel anti-tumour approaches, targeting the microenvironmental components and the supportive tumour:stroma crosstalk, thereby hindering tumour development.
Collapse
|
29
|
Jones É, Vlachou S. Cannabidiol Does Not Cause Significant Changes to Working Memory Performance in the N-Back Task. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1165. [PMID: 34832947 PMCID: PMC8623009 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis use can be traced back to several centuries before the Common Era, when it was used for industrial, medicinal and recreational purposes. More recently, over 100 different cannabinoid compounds have been identified, one of which is cannabidiol (CBD), a compound widely used for anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic treatment. The literature surrounding the cognitive effects of CBD is limited, with most studies focusing on the effects of other cannabinoids on cognition. To expand this literature, this study investigated whether CBD causes significant differences to working memory (WM) functioning, as measured by the N-back task. It was hypothesised that CBD does not cause statistically significant differences to WM. In all, 54 participants, 33 females and 21 males, were recruited, with a mean age of 32.63 years. Of these 54 participants, 26 reported using CBD and no other cannabinoids, while 28 reported not using any cannabinoid. The participants were instructed to answer a short online survey to gather basic demographic data and to complete an online N-back task to measure WM. For the computerised N-back task, the participants completed a practice and three test blocks, where they were instructed to respond to whether a series of letter stimuli were presented one trial back (1-back), two trials back (2-back) or three trials back (3-back). Multivariate analysis of covariance yielded no statistically significant difference on either response time or response accuracy data between groups after controlling for how long the participants use CBD and for what reason they use CBD. These results support our hypothesis that CBD does not cause significant changes to WM functioning. Further research is greatly needed to investigate the long-term effects of CBD use on WM and on general cognitive functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Styliani Vlachou
- Neuropsychopharmacology Division, Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science and Health, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, D09 Y074 Dublin, Ireland;
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Vázquez-León P, Miranda-Páez A, Calvillo-Robledo A, Marichal-Cancino BA. Blockade of GPR55 in dorsal periaqueductal gray produces anxiety-like behaviors and evocates defensive aggressive responses in alcohol-pre-exposed rats. Neurosci Lett 2021; 764:136218. [PMID: 34487839 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
GPR55 is a receptor expressed in several central nervous system areas, including the periaqueductal gray (PAG). Current knowledge of GPR55 physiology in PAG only covers pain integration, but it is involved in other actions such as anxiety, panic, motivated behaviors, and alcohol intake. In the present study, juvenile male Wistar rats were unexposed (alcohol-naïve group; A-naïve) or exposed to alcohol for 5 weeks (alcohol-pre-exposed group; A-pre-exposed). Posteriorly, animals received intra dorsal-PAG (D-PAG) injections of vehicle (10% DMSO), LPI (1 nmol/0.5 µl) and ML-193 (1 nmol/0.5 µl, a selective GPR55 antagonist). Finally, defensive burying behavior (DBB) paradigm and alcohol preference were evaluated. Compared to the A-naïve group, the A-pre-exposed vehicle group had higher (p < 0.05): (i) time of immobility; (ii) latency to and duration of burying; and (iii) alcohol consumption. In both groups (i.e., A-naïve and A-pre-exposed) treatment with LPI: (i) decreased duration of burying (p < 0.05); (ii) suppressed time of immobility; and (iii) increased alcohol intake (p < 0.05). On the other hand, treatment with ML-193: (i) decreased duration of immobility in A-pre-exposed (but not in A-naïve rats); (ii) promoted an aggressive response against the shock-probe in A-pre-exposed rats (p < 0.05); and (iii) increased alcohol intake (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that blockade of GPR55 in D-PAG is associated with anxiety-like behaviors, defensive aggressive behaviors, and higher alcohol intake, whereas LPI in D-PAG produced anxiolytic-like effects (probably GPR55-mediated), but not prevention of alcohol intake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Vázquez-León
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, 20131 Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico
| | - Abraham Miranda-Páez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Wilfrido Massieu esq. Manuel Stampa s/n Col. Nueva Industrial Vallejo CP: 07738 Alc. Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Argelia Calvillo-Robledo
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, 20131 Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico
| | - Bruno A Marichal-Cancino
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, 20131 Aguascalientes, Ags., Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. plant is currently attracting increasing interest in cosmetics and dermatology. In this review, the biologically active compounds of hemp are discussed. Particularly the complex interactions of cannabinoids with the endocannabinoid system of the skin to treat various conditions (such as acne, allergic contact dermatitis, melanoma, and psoriasis) with clinical data. Moreover, the properties of some cannabinoids make them candidates as cosmetic actives for certain skin types. Hemp seed oil and its minor bioactive compounds such as terpenes, flavonoids, carotenoids, and phytosterols are also discussed for their added value in cosmetic formulation.
Collapse
|
32
|
Mangal N, Erridge S, Habib N, Sadanandam A, Reebye V, Sodergren MH. Cannabinoids in the landscape of cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2021; 147:2507-2534. [PMID: 34259916 PMCID: PMC8310855 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03710-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cannabinoids are a group of terpenophenolic compounds derived from the Cannabis sativa L. plant. There is a growing body of evidence from cell culture and animal studies in support of cannabinoids possessing anticancer properties. METHOD A database search of peer reviewed articles published in English as full texts between January 1970 and April 2021 in Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science was undertaken. References of relevant literature were searched to identify additional studies to construct a narrative literature review of oncological effects of cannabinoids in pre-clinical and clinical studies in various cancer types. RESULTS Phyto-, endogenous and synthetic cannabinoids demonstrated antitumour effects both in vitro and in vivo. However, these effects are dependent on cancer type, the concentration and preparation of the cannabinoid and the abundance of receptor targets. The mechanism of action of synthetic cannabinoids, (-)-trans-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) has mainly been described via the traditional cannabinoid receptors; CB1 and CB2, but reports have also indicated evidence of activity through GPR55, TRPM8 and other ion channels including TRPA1, TRPV1 and TRPV2. CONCLUSION Cannabinoids have shown to be efficacious both as a single agent and in combination with antineoplastic drugs. These effects have occurred through various receptors and ligands and modulation of signalling pathways involved in hallmarks of cancer pathology. There is a need for further studies to characterise its mode of action at the molecular level and to delineate efficacious dosage and route of administration in addition to synergistic regimes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nagina Mangal
- Medical Cannabis Research Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0HS, UK
- Systems and Precision Cancer Medicine Team, Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Simon Erridge
- Medical Cannabis Research Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Nagy Habib
- Medical Cannabis Research Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Anguraj Sadanandam
- Systems and Precision Cancer Medicine Team, Division of Molecular Pathology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, UK
| | - Vikash Reebye
- Medical Cannabis Research Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0HS, UK
| | - Mikael Hans Sodergren
- Medical Cannabis Research Group, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, W12 0HS, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Leuti A, Fava M, Pellegrini N, Maccarrone M. Role of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators in Neuropathic Pain. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:717993. [PMID: 34456731 PMCID: PMC8385637 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.717993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation and neuroinflammation are critical mechanisms in the generation of neuropathic pain that is experienced in several chronic diseases. The aberrant inflammation that triggers this pathophysiologic process can be tracked down to an exacerbated immune response, which establishes a vicious cycle and continuously recruits inflammatory cells by inducing chronic tissue damage. Recently, impairment of the cellular and molecular machinery orchestrated by specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)-i.e., endogenous lipids termed resolvins, protectins, maresins, and lipoxins that confine the inflammatory cascades in space and time during the "resolution of inflammation"-has emerged as a crucial event in the derangement of the inflammatory homeostasis and the onset of chronic inflammation and pain. Indeed, a deviant inflammatory response that is not adequately controlled by the resolution network leads to the overproduction of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids that, opposite to SPMs, lead to neuropathic pain. Interestingly, in the last two decades convincing evidence has demonstrated that SPMs antagonize the in vivo activity of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and, overall, exert potent anti-hyperalgesic effects in a number of pain-associated paradigms of disease, such as arthritis and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, as well as in many experimental models of pain like mechanical allodynia, chemical pain, heat hypersensitivity and phase 1 and 2 inflammatory pain. Of note, accumulated evidence supports a synergy between SPMs and other signalling pathways, such as those mediated by transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and those triggered by opioid receptors, suggesting that the cascade of events where inflammation and pain perception take part might be ways more intricated than originally expected. Here, we aim at presenting a state-of-the-art view of SPMs, their metabolism and signalling, in the context of cellular and molecular pathways associated to neuropathic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Leuti
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Fava
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Niccolò Pellegrini
- Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Effect of Interleukin-1β on Gene Expression Signatures in Schwann Cells Associated with Neuropathic Pain. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:2958-2968. [PMID: 34264480 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03400-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) plays a critical role in the development of neuropathic pain through activation of Schwann cells (SCs) after nerve injury. Here, we applied an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) approach to identify the effect of IL-1β on gene signatures of a rat SC line (RSC96) and the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the development of neuropathic pain. RNA-seq data demonstrated a total of 57 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with 35 up-regulated and 22 down-regulated between SCs treated with IL-1β, and control SCs without treatment. Bioinformatics analysis showed that key upregulated DEGs included those associated with immune and inflammation-related processes, neurotrophin production and SC proliferation. Five proteins encoded by key upregulated DEGs (Ceacam1, Hap1, Irs3, Lgi4 and Mif) were further verified by Western blot. Consistent with the RNA-Seq results, the expression of key genes was confirmed in SCs by immunofluorescence of the chronic constriction injury (CCI) sciatic nerve in rats. Furthermore, we demonstrated that treatment with IL-1β resulted in an increase in p38/ERK phosphorylation, and activators of p38/ERK enhanced the effect of IL-1β on the expression some of the key genes, whereas p38/ERK inhibitors reversed these effects. In conclusion, the present study highlights key genes involved in the development of neuropathic pain through activation of SCs after nerve injury. Identification of these genes and subsequent evidence of their mediation by IL-1β treatment promote our understanding of molecular mechanisms of nerve injury induced neuropathic pain, and highlight potential molecular targets for the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Collapse
|
35
|
Biringer RG. A review of non-prostanoid, eicosanoid receptors: expression, characterization, regulation, and mechanism of action. J Cell Commun Signal 2021; 16:5-46. [PMID: 34173964 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-021-00630-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Eicosanoid signaling controls a wide range of biological processes from blood pressure homeostasis to inflammation and resolution thereof to the perception of pain and to cell survival itself. Disruption of normal eicosanoid signaling is implicated in numerous disease states. Eicosanoid signaling is facilitated by G-protein-coupled, eicosanoid-specific receptors and the array of associated G-proteins. This review focuses on the expression, characterization, regulation, and mechanism of action of non-prostanoid, eicosanoid receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roger G Biringer
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, 5000 Lakewood Ranch Blvd, Bradenton, FL, 34211, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Mizuno I, Matsuda S. The role of endocannabinoids in consolidation, retrieval, reconsolidation, and extinction of fear memory. Pharmacol Rep 2021; 73:984-1003. [PMID: 33954935 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-021-00246-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are involved in various physiological functions, including synaptic plasticity and memory, and some psychiatric disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), through the activation of cannabinoid (CB) receptors. Patients with PTSD often show excessive fear memory and impairment of fear extinction (FE). It has been reported that the stability of acquired fear memory is altered through multiple memory stages, such as consolidation and reconsolidation. FE also affects the stability of fear memory. Each stage of fear memory formation and FE are regulated by different molecular mechanisms, including the CB system. However, to the best of our knowledge, no review summarizes the role of the CB system during each stage of fear memory formation and FE. In this review, we summarize the roles of endocannabinoids in fear memory formation and FE. Moreover, based on the summary, we propose a new hypothesis for the role of endocannabinoids in fear regulation, and discuss treatment for PTSD using CB system-related drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ikumi Mizuno
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165, Higashi-Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan
| | - Shingo Matsuda
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165, Higashi-Tamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan. .,Department of Cognitive Behavioral Physiology, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan. .,Department of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashi, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Mosca MG, Mangini M, Cioffi S, Barba P, Mariggiò S. Peptide targeting of lysophosphatidylinositol-sensing GPR55 for osteoclastogenesis tuning. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:48. [PMID: 33902596 PMCID: PMC8073907 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00727-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The G-protein-coupled receptor GPR55 has been implicated in multiple biological activities, which has fuelled interest in its functional targeting. Its controversial pharmacology and often species-dependent regulation have impacted upon the potential translation of preclinical data involving GPR55. RESULTS With the aim to identify novel GPR55 regulators, we have investigated lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI)-induced GPR55-mediated signal transduction. The expression system for wild-type and mutated GPR55 was HeLa cells silenced for their endogenous receptor by stable expression of a short-hairpin RNA specific for GPR55 5'-UTR, which allowed definition of the requirement of GPR55 Lys80 for LPI-induced MAPK activation and receptor internalisation. In RAW264.7 macrophages, GPR55 pathways were investigated by Gpr55 silencing using small-interfering RNAs, which demonstrated that LPI increased intracellular Ca2+ levels and induced actin filopodium formation through GPR55 activation. Furthermore, the LPI/GPR55 axis was shown to have an active role in osteoclastogenesis of precursor RAW264.7 cells induced by 'receptor-activator of nuclear factor kappa-β ligand' (RANKL). Indeed, this differentiation into mature osteoclasts was associated with a 14-fold increase in Gpr55 mRNA levels. Moreover, GPR55 silencing and antagonism impaired RANKL-induced transcription of the osteoclastogenesis markers: 'nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1', matrix metalloproteinase-9, cathepsin-K, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, and the calcitonin receptor, as evaluated by real-time PCR. Phage display was previously used to identify peptides that bind to GPR55. Here, the GPR55-specific peptide-P1 strongly inhibited osteoclast maturation of RAW264.7 macrophages, confirming its activity as a blocker of GPR55-mediated functions. Although osteoclast syncytium formation was not affected by pharmacological regulation of GPR55, osteoclast activity was dependent on GPR55 signalling, as shown with resorption assays on bone slices, where LPI stimulated and GPR55 antagonists inhibited bone erosion. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that GPR55 represents a target for development of novel therapeutic approaches for treatment of pathological conditions caused by osteoclast-exacerbated bone degradation, such as in osteoporosis or during establishment of bone metastases. Video abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Mangini
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Research Council, Naples, Italy.,Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Cioffi
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Research Council, Naples, Italy.,Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Barba
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Mariggiò
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, National Research Council, Naples, Italy. .,Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council, Naples, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
della Rocca G, Gamba D. Chronic Pain in Dogs and Cats: Is There Place for Dietary Intervention with Micro-Palmitoylethanolamide? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:952. [PMID: 33805489 PMCID: PMC8065429 DOI: 10.3390/ani11040952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of chronic pain is an integral challenge of small animal veterinary practitioners. Multiple pharmacological agents are usually employed to treat maladaptive pain including opiates, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and others. In order to limit adverse effects and tolerance development, they are often combined with non-pharmacologic measures such as acupuncture and dietary interventions. Accumulating evidence suggests that non-neuronal cells such as mast cells and microglia play active roles in the pathogenesis of maladaptive pain. Accordingly, these cells are currently viewed as potential new targets for managing chronic pain. Palmitoylethanolamide is an endocannabinoid-like compound found in several food sources and considered a body's own analgesic. The receptor-dependent control of non-neuronal cells mediates the pain-relieving effect of palmitoylethanolamide. Accumulating evidence shows the anti-hyperalgesic effect of supplemented palmitoylethanolamide, especially in the micronized and co-micronized formulations (i.e., micro-palmitoylethanolamide), which allow for higher bioavailability. In the present paper, the role of non-neuronal cells in pain signaling is discussed and a large number of studies on the effect of palmitoylethanolamide in inflammatory and neuropathic chronic pain are reviewed. Overall, available evidence suggests that there is place for micro-palmitoylethanolamide in the dietary management of chronic pain in dogs and cats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia della Rocca
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Centro di Ricerca sul Dolore Animale (CeRiDA), Università degli Studi di Perugia, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Davide Gamba
- Operational Unit of Anesthesia, Centro Veterinario Gregorio VII, 00165 Roma, Italy;
- Freelance, DG Vet Pain Therapy, 24124 Bergamo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Guzmán-Rodríguez S, Chávez-Reyes J, Vázquez-León P, Soriano-Ursúa MA, Rosalez MN, Allende G, Marichal-Cancino BA. 1-Boc-Piperidine-4-Carboxaldehyde Prevents Binge-Eating Behaviour and Anxiety in Rats. Pharmacology 2021; 106:305-315. [PMID: 33756489 DOI: 10.1159/000513376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Piperidines are biogenic amines studied mainly in toxicology because they were initially found as alkaloids from peppers and insect venoms. Piperidines are also produced in the human body, and their actions seem to be related to wakefulness/sleep and other cognitive phenomena. Piperidines have been minimally characterized for therapeutic applications. In this context, 1-Boc-piperidine-4-carboxaldehyde (1-Boc-piperidine) is a piperidine-derivative molecule with no mechanism of action reported, although its uses include the synthesis of GPR119 selective agonists that have been patented as anti-obesity drugs. OBJECTIVES The aim of this work was to study the effects of 1-Boc-piperidine on binge-eating behaviour and anxiety in Wistar rats. METHODS In experimental protocol 1, binge-eating behaviour was induced in animals that received pre-treatment (i.p.) with (i) vehicle (methanol 10%; 1 mL/kg), (ii) 1-Boc-piperidine (1 µmol kg-1), or (iii) 1-Boc-piperidine (10 µmol kg-1). In experimental protocol 2, mildly stressed animals were evaluated in the elevated plus maze under the acute effects of the pre-treatments applied in experimental protocol 1. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS 1-Boc-piperidine decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, the intake of calories from a succulent hyper-caloric food in a binge-eating protocol in female rats, whereas the acute exposition to this piperidine exerted an anxiolytic effect in the male rat. In both effects, the mechanism of action remains to be characterized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Guzmán-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Jesús Chávez-Reyes
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Priscila Vázquez-León
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Marvin A Soriano-Ursúa
- Academia de Fisiología y Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Melvin N Rosalez
- Academia de Fisiología y Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Gonzalo Allende
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Bruno A Marichal-Cancino
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico,
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Aran A, Harel M, Cassuto H, Polyansky L, Schnapp A, Wattad N, Shmueli D, Golan D, Castellanos FX. Cannabinoid treatment for autism: a proof-of-concept randomized trial. Mol Autism 2021; 12:6. [PMID: 33536055 PMCID: PMC7860205 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00420-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Endocannabinoid dysfunction in animal models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and accumulating, albeit anecdotal, evidence for efficacy in humans motivated this placebo-controlled double-blind comparison of two oral cannabinoid solutions in 150 participants (age 5–21 years) with ASD. Methods We tested (1) BOL-DP-O-01-W, a whole-plant cannabis extract containing cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol at a 20:1 ratio and (2) BOL-DP-O-01, purified cannabidiol and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol at the same ratio. Participants (N = 150) received either placebo or cannabinoids for 12-weeks (testing efficacy) followed by a 4-week washout and predetermined cross-over for another 12 weeks to further assess tolerability. Registered primary efficacy outcome measures were improvement in behavioral problems (differences between whole-plant extract and placebo) on the Home Situation Questionnaire-ASD (HSQ-ASD) and the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale with disruptive behavior anchor points (CGI-I). Secondary measures were Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS-2) and Autism Parenting Stress Index (APSI). Results Changes in Total Scores of HSQ-ASD (primary-outcome) and APSI (secondary-outcome) did not differ among groups. Disruptive behavior on the CGI-I (co-primary outcome) was either much or very much improved in 49% on whole-plant extract (n = 45) versus 21% on placebo (n = 47; p = 0.005). Median SRS Total Score (secondary-outcome) improved by 14.9 on whole-plant extract (n = 34) versus 3.6 points after placebo (n = 36); p = 0.009). There were no treatment-related serious adverse events. Common adverse events included somnolence and decreased appetite, reported for 28% and 25% on whole-plant extract, respectively (n = 95); 23% and 21% on pure-cannabinoids (n = 93), and 8% and 15% on placebo (n = 94). Limitations Lack of pharmacokinetic data and a wide range of ages and functional levels among participants warrant caution when interpreting the results. Conclusions This interventional study provides evidence that BOL-DP-O-01-W and BOL-DP-O-01, administrated for 3 months, are well tolerated. Evidence for efficacy of these interventions are mixed and insufficient. Further testing of cannabinoids in ASD is recommended. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02956226. Registered 06 November 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02956226
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adi Aran
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, 12 Bayit Street, 91031, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Moria Harel
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, 12 Bayit Street, 91031, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hanoch Cassuto
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, 12 Bayit Street, 91031, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Lola Polyansky
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, 12 Bayit Street, 91031, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aviad Schnapp
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, 12 Bayit Street, 91031, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Nadia Wattad
- Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, 12 Bayit Street, 91031, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dorit Shmueli
- Child Development Centers, Clalit Health Services, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Daphna Golan
- Child Development Centers, Maccabi Health Services, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - F Xavier Castellanos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Blanton HL, Barnes RC, McHann MC, Bilbrey JA, Wilkerson JL, Guindon J. Sex differences and the endocannabinoid system in pain. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 202:173107. [PMID: 33444598 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis use has been increasing in recent years, particularly among women, and one of the most common uses of cannabis for medical purposes is pain relief. Pain conditions and response to analgesics have been demonstrated to be influenced by sex, and evidence is emerging that this is also true with cannabinoid-mediated analgesia. In this review we evaluate the preclinical evidence supporting sex differences in cannabinoid pharmacology, as well as emerging evidence from human studies, both clinical and observational. Numerous animal studies have reported sex differences in the antinociceptive response to natural and synthetic cannabinoids that may correlate to sex differences in expression, and function, of endocannabinoid system components. Female rodents have generally been found to be more sensitive to the effects of Δ9-THC. This finding is likely a function of both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics factors including differences in metabolism, differences in cannabinoid receptor expression, and influence of ovarian hormones including estradiol and progesterone. Preclinical evidence supporting direct interactions between sex hormones and the endocannabinoid system may translate to sex differences in response to cannabis and cannabinoid use in men and women. Further research into the role of sex in endocannabinoid system function is critical as we gain a deeper understanding of the impact of the endocannabinoid system in various disease states, including chronic pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henry L Blanton
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States of America.
| | - Robert C Barnes
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States of America
| | - Melissa C McHann
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States of America
| | - Joshua A Bilbrey
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States of America
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States of America
| | - Josée Guindon
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
The impact of cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2Rs) in neuroprotection against neurological disorders. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:1507-1518. [PMID: 33024239 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00530-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoids have long been used for their psychotropic and possible medical properties of symptom relief. In the past few years, a vast literature shows that cannabinoids are neuroprotective under different pathological situations. Most of the effects of cannabinoids are mediated by the well-characterized cannabinoid receptors, the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) and cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R). Even though CB1Rs are highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), the adverse central side effects and the development of tolerance resulting from CB1R activation may ultimately limit the clinical utility of CB1R agonists. In contrast to the ubiquitous presence of CB1Rs, CB2Rs are less commonly expressed in the healthy CNS but highly upregulated in glial cells under neuropathological conditions. Experimental studies have provided robust evidence that CB2Rs seem to be involved in the modulation of different neurological disorders. In this paper, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the protective effects of CB2R activation against the development of neurological diseases and provide a perspective on the future of this field. A better understanding of the fundamental pharmacology of CB2R activation is essential for the development of clinical applications and the design of novel therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
|
43
|
A Critical Review of the Role of the Cannabinoid Compounds Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9-THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) and their Combination in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25214930. [PMID: 33113776 PMCID: PMC7663366 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25214930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Many people with MS (pwMS) use unregulated cannabis or cannabis products to treat the symptoms associated with the disease. In line with this, Sativex, a synthetic combination of cannabidiol (CBD) and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) has been approved to treat symptoms of spasticity. In animals, CBD is effective in reducing the amounts of T-cell infiltrates in the spinal cord, suggesting CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. By doing this, CBD has shown to delay symptom onset in animal models of multiple sclerosis and slow disease progression. Importantly, combinations of CBD and Δ9-THC appear more effective in treating animal models of multiple sclerosis. While CBD reduces the amounts of cell infiltrates in the spinal cord, Δ9-THC reduces scores of spasticity. In human studies, the results are less encouraging and conflict with the findings in animals. Drugs which deliver a combination of Δ9-THC and CBD in a 1:1 ratio appear to be only moderately effective in reducing spasticity scores, but appear to be almost as effective as current front-line treatments and cause less severe side effects than other treatments, such as baclofen (a GABA-B receptor agonist) and tizanidine (an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist). The findings of the studies reviewed suggest that cannabinoids may help treat neuropathic pain in pwMS as an add-on therapy to already established pain treatments. It is important to note that treatment with cannabinoid compounds may cause significant cognitive dysfunction. Long term double-blind placebo studies are greatly needed to further our understanding of the role of cannabinoids in multiple sclerosis treatment.
Collapse
|
44
|
Morales P, Lago-Fernandez A, Hurst DP, Sotudeh N, Brailoiu E, Reggio PH, Abood ME, Jagerovic N. Therapeutic Exploitation of GPR18: Beyond the Cannabinoids? J Med Chem 2020; 63:14216-14227. [PMID: 32914978 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
GPR18 is a G-protein-coupled receptor that belongs to the orphan class A family. Even though it shares low sequence homology with the cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R, a growing body of research suggests its relationship with the endocannabinoid system, not only because it is able to recognize cannabinoid ligands but also because of its expression and ability to heteromerize with CBRs. In this review, we aim to analyze the biological relevance, reported modulators, and structural features of GPR18. In order to guide future drug design in this field, highlights from molecular modeling of GPR18 will be provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Morales
- Instituto de Química Médica, CSIC, Calle Juan de la Cierva, 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Lago-Fernandez
- Instituto de Química Médica, CSIC, Calle Juan de la Cierva, 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dow P Hurst
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, UNC Greensboro, 1400 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412, United States
| | - Noori Sotudeh
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, UNC Greensboro, 1400 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412, United States
| | - Eugen Brailoiu
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Patricia H Reggio
- Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, UNC Greensboro, 1400 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27412, United States
| | - Mary E Abood
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, 3500 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, United States
| | - Nadine Jagerovic
- Instituto de Química Médica, CSIC, Calle Juan de la Cierva, 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Morales P, Jagerovic N. Novel approaches and current challenges with targeting the endocannabinoid system. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:917-930. [PMID: 32336154 PMCID: PMC7502221 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1752178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The pathophysiological relevance of the endocannabinoid system has been widely demonstrated in a variety of diseases including cancer, neurological disorders, and metabolic issues. Therefore, targeting the receptors and the endogenous machinery involved in this system can provide a successful therapeutic outcome. Ligands targeting the canonical cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, along with inhibitors of the endocannabinoid enzymes have been thoroughly studied in diverse disease models. In fact, phytocannabinoids such as cannabidiol or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol are currently on the market for the management of neuropathic pain due to spasticity in multiple sclerosis or seizures in children epilepsy amongst others. AREAS COVERED Challenges in the pharmacology of cannabinoids arise from its pharmacokinetics, off-target effects, and psychoactive effects. In this context, the current review outlines the novel molecular approaches emerging in the field discussing their clinical potential. EXPERT OPINION Even if orthosteric CB1 and CB2 ligands are on the forefront in cannabinoid clinical research, emerging strategies such as allosteric or biased modulation of these receptors along with controlled off-targets effects may increase the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Morales
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nadine Jagerovic
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abraham AD, Leung EJY, Wong BA, Rivera ZMG, Kruse LC, Clark JJ, Land BB. Orally consumed cannabinoids provide long-lasting relief of allodynia in a mouse model of chronic neuropathic pain. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1105-1114. [PMID: 31812152 PMCID: PMC7235274 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-019-0585-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain affects a significant percentage of the United States population, and available pain medications like opioids have drawbacks that make long-term use untenable. Cannabinoids show promise in the management of pain, but long-term treatment of pain with cannabinoids has been challenging to implement in preclinical models. We developed a voluntary, gelatin oral self-administration paradigm that allowed male and female mice to consume ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, or morphine ad libitum. Mice stably consumed these gelatins over 3 weeks, with detectable serum levels. Using a real-time gelatin measurement system, we observed that mice consumed gelatin throughout the light and dark cycles, with animals consuming less THC-gelatin than the other gelatin groups. Consumption of all three gelatins reduced measures of allodynia in a chronic, neuropathic sciatic nerve injury model, but tolerance to morphine developed after 1 week while THC or CBD reduced allodynia over three weeks. Hyperalgesia gradually developed after sciatic nerve injury, and by the last day of testing, THC significantly reduced hyperalgesia, with a trend effect of CBD, and no effect of morphine. Mouse vocalizations were recorded throughout the experiment, and mice showed a large increase in ultrasonic, broadband clicks after sciatic nerve injury, which was reversed by THC, CBD, and morphine. This study demonstrates that mice voluntarily consume both cannabinoids and opioids via gelatin, and that cannabinoids provide long-term relief of chronic pain states. In addition, ultrasonic clicks may objectively represent mouse pain status and could be integrated into future pain models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antony D Abraham
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Edward J Y Leung
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Brenden A Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Zeena M G Rivera
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Lauren C Kruse
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jeremy J Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Benjamin B Land
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Allende G, Chávez-Reyes J, Guerrero-Alba R, Vázquez-León P, Marichal-Cancino BA. Advances in Neurobiology and Pharmacology of GPR12. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:628. [PMID: 32457622 PMCID: PMC7226366 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
GPR12 is a G protein-coupled orphan receptor genetically related to type 1 and type 2 cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) which are ancient proteins expressed all over the body. Both cannabinoid receptors, but especially CB1, are involved in neurodevelopment and cognitive processes such as learning, memory, brain reward, coordination, etc. GPR12 shares with CB1 that both are mainly expressed into the brain. Regrettably, very little is known about physiology of GPR12. Concerning its pharmacology, GPR12 seems to be endogenously activated by the lysophospholipids sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and sphingosyl-phosphorylcholine (SPC). Exogenously, GPR12 is a target for the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD). Functionally, GPR12 seems to be related to neurogenesis and neural inflammation, but its relationship with cognitive functions remains to be characterized. Although GPR12 was initially suggested to be a cannabinoid receptor, it does not meet the five criteria proposed in 2010 by the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR). In this review, we analyze all the direct available information in PubMed database about expression, function, and pharmacology of this receptor in central nervous system (CNS) trying to provide a broad overview of its current and prospective neurophysiology. Moreover, in this mini-review we highlight the need to produce more relevant data about the functions of GPR12 in CNS. Hence, this work should motivate further research in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Allende
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Jesús Chávez-Reyes
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Raquel Guerrero-Alba
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Priscila Vázquez-León
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Bruno A Marichal-Cancino
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Research on the pathophysiology of syndromic autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has contributed to the uncovering of mechanisms in nonsyndromic ASD. The current review aims to compare recent progress in therapeutics development for ASD with those for fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most frequent monogenic form of ASD. RECENT FINDINGS Although candidates such as oxytocin, vasopressin, and cannabinoids are being tested as novel therapeutics, it remains difficult to focus on a specific molecular target of drug development for ASD core symptoms. As the pathophysiology of FXS has been well described as having a causal gene, fragile X mental retardation-1, development of therapeutic agents for FXS is focused on specific molecular targets, such as metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 and GABAB receptor. SUMMARY There is a large unmet medical need in ASD, a heterogeneous and clinically defined behavioral syndrome, owing to its high prevalence in the general population, lifelong cognitive and behavioral deficits, and no established treatment of ASD core symptoms, such as deficits in social communication and restrictive repetitive behaviors. The molecular pathogenesis of nonsyndromic ASD is largely undefined. Lessons from initial attempts at targeted treatment development in FXS, and new designs resulting from these lessons, will inform trials in nonsyndromic ASD for development of therapeutics for its core symptoms.
Collapse
|
49
|
Marichal-Cancino BA, González-Hernández A, MaassenVanDenBrink A, Ramírez-San Juan E, Villalón CM. Potential Mechanisms Involved in Palmitoylethanolamide-Induced Vasodepressor Effects in Rats. J Vasc Res 2020; 57:152-163. [PMID: 32248195 DOI: 10.1159/000506158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Palmitoylethanolamide is an endogenous lipid that exerts complex vascular effects, enhances the effects of endocannabinoids and induces a direct hypotension, but the mechanisms involved have been poorly explored. Hence, this study investigated in Wistar pithed rats the role of CB1, CB2, TRPV1 and GPR55 receptors in the inhibition by palmitoylethanolamide of the vasopressor responses produced by sympathetic stimulation or exogenous noradrenaline. Frequency- and dose-dependent vasopressor responses were analysed before and during intravenous (i.v.) continuous infusions of palmitoylethanolamide in animals receiving i.v. bolus of the antagonists NIDA41020 (CB1), AM630 (CB2), capsazepine (TRPV1), and/or cannabidiol (GPR55). Palmitoyletha-nolamide (0.1-3.1 μg/kg/min) dose-dependently inhibited the sympathetically induced and noradrenaline-induced vasopressor responses. Both inhibitions were: (i) partially blocked by 100 μg/kg NIDA41020, 100 μg/kg capsazepine, or 31 μg/kg cannabidiol; (ii) unaffected by 310 μg/kg AM630; and (iii) abolished by the combination NIDA41020 + capsazepine + cannabidiol (100, 100, and 31 μg/kg, respectively). The resting blood pressure was decreased by palmitoylethanolamide (effect prevented by NIDA41020, capsazepine or cannabidiol, but not by AM630). These results suggest that: (i) palmitoylethanolamide inhibits the vasopressor responses to sympathetic stimulation and exogenous noradrenaline and that it induces hypotension; and (ii) all these effects are mediated by prejunctional and vascular CB1, TRPV1 and probably GPR55, but not by CB2, receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno A Marichal-Cancino
- Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Centro de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes, Ciudad Universitaria, Aguascalientes, Mexico
| | - Abimael González-Hernández
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM-Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Antoinette MaassenVanDenBrink
- Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Ramírez-San Juan
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Carlos M Villalón
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Cinvestav-Coapa, Mexico City, Mexico,
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Britch SC, Goodman AG, Wiley JL, Pondelick AM, Craft RM. Antinociceptive and Immune Effects of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol or Cannabidiol in Male Versus Female Rats with Persistent Inflammatory Pain. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 373:416-428. [PMID: 32179573 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.119.263319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain is the most common reason reported for using medical cannabis. The goal of this research was to determine whether the two primary phytocannabinoids, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are effective treatments for persistent inflammatory pain. In experiment 1, inflammation was induced by intraplantar injection of Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Then THC (0.0-4.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or CBD (0.0-10 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered twice daily for 3 days. On day 4, THC, CBD, or vehicle was administered, and allodynia, hyperalgesia, weight-bearing, locomotor activity, and hindpaw edema were assessed 0.5-4 hours postinjection. In experiment 2, CFA or mineral oil (no-pain control)-treated rats were given THC (2.0 mg/kg, i.p.), CBD (10 mg/kg, i.p.), or vehicle in the same manner as in experiment 1. Four hours postinjection on day 4, serum samples were taken for analysis of cytokines known to influence inflammatory pain: interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α THC dose-dependently reduced pain-related behaviors but did not reduce hindpaw edema, and little tolerance developed to THC's effects. In contrast, CBD effects on inflammatory pain were minimal. THC produced little to no change in serum cytokines, whereas CBD decreased IL-1β, IL-10, and IFN-γ and increased IL-6. Few sex differences in antinociception or immune modulation were observed with either drug, but CFA-induced immune activation was significantly greater in males than females. These results suggest that THC may be more beneficial than CBD for reducing inflammatory pain in that THC maintains its efficacy with short-term treatment in both sexes and does not induce immune activation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The pain-relieving effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are examined in male and female rats with persistent inflammatory pain to determine whether individual phytocannabinoids could be a viable treatment for men and women with chronic inflammatory pain. Additionally, sex differences in the immune response to an adjuvant and to THC and CBD are characterized to provide preliminary insight into immune-related effects of cannabinoid-based therapy for pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stevie C Britch
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (S.C.B.); School of Molecular Biosciences, Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health (A.G.G.), Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience (A.M.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.M.C.), Washington State University, Pullman, Washington; and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Alan G Goodman
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (S.C.B.); School of Molecular Biosciences, Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health (A.G.G.), Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience (A.M.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.M.C.), Washington State University, Pullman, Washington; and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Jenny L Wiley
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (S.C.B.); School of Molecular Biosciences, Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health (A.G.G.), Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience (A.M.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.M.C.), Washington State University, Pullman, Washington; and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Abby M Pondelick
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (S.C.B.); School of Molecular Biosciences, Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health (A.G.G.), Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience (A.M.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.M.C.), Washington State University, Pullman, Washington; and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| | - Rebecca M Craft
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (S.C.B.); School of Molecular Biosciences, Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health (A.G.G.), Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience (A.M.P.), and Department of Psychology (R.M.C.), Washington State University, Pullman, Washington; and RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina (J.L.W.)
| |
Collapse
|