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Kurtov M, Rubinić I, Likić R. The endocannabinoid system in appetite regulation and treatment of obesity. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2024; 12:e70009. [PMID: 39292202 PMCID: PMC11409765 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.70009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system that is responsible for maintaining homeostasis by modulating various regulatory reactions in response to internal and environmental changes. The influence of ECS on appetite regulation has been a subject of much recent research, however, the full extent of its impact remains unknown. Current evidence links human obesity to ECS activation, increased endocannabinoid levels in both central and peripheral tissues, along with cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CBR1) up-regulation. These findings imply the potential pharmacological use of the ECS in the treatment of obesity. Here, we present various pathophysiological processes in obesity involving the ECS, highlighting different pharmacological options for modulating endocannabinoid activity to treat obesity. However, the potential of those pharmacological possibilities remains under investigation and requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Kurtov
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity Hospital Sveti DuhZagrebCroatia
| | - Igor Rubinić
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and ToxicologyClinical Hospital Centre RijekaRijekaCroatia
- University of Rijeka, School of MedicineRijekaCroatia
| | - Robert Likić
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and ToxicologyClinical Hospital Centre ZagrebZagrebCroatia
- University of Zagreb, School of MedicineZagrebCroatia
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Martínez-Torres AM, Morán J. Aquaporin 4 and the endocannabinoid system: a potential therapeutic target in brain injury. Exp Brain Res 2024; 242:2041-2058. [PMID: 39043897 PMCID: PMC11306651 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-024-06896-7] [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: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Brain edema is a critical complication arising from stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with an important impact on patient recovery and can lead to long-term consequences. Therapeutic options to reduce edema progression are limited with variable patient outcomes. Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) is a water channel that allows bidirectional water diffusion across the astrocyte membrane and participates in the distinct phases of cerebral edema. The absence or inhibition of this channel has been demonstrated to ameliorate edema and brain damage. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a neuromodulator system with a wide expression in the brain and its activation has shown neuroprotective properties in diverse models of neuronal damage. This review describes and discusses the major features of ECS and AQP4 and their role during brain damage, observing that ECS stimulation reduces edema and injury size in diverse models of brain damage, however, the relationship between AQP4 expression and dynamics and ECS activation remains unclear. The research on these topics holds promising therapeutic implications for the treatment of brain edema following stroke and TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ari Misael Martínez-Torres
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Apartado Postal 70-253, 04510, Ciudad de Mexico, México
| | - Julio Morán
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Coyoacán, Apartado Postal 70-253, 04510, Ciudad de Mexico, México.
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Maglaviceanu A, Peer M, Rockel J, Bonin RP, Fitzcharles MA, Ladha KS, Bhatia A, Leroux T, Kotra L, Kapoor M, Clarke H. The State of Synthetic Cannabinoid Medications for the Treatment of Pain. CNS Drugs 2024; 38:597-612. [PMID: 38951463 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-024-01098-9] [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] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids are compounds made in the laboratory to structurally and functionally mimic phytocannabinoids from the Cannabis sativa L. plant, including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) can signal via the classical endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) and the greater endocannabidiome network, highlighting their signalling complexity and far-reaching effects. Dronabinol and nabilone, which mimic THC signalling, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, there is ongoing interest in these two drugs as potential analgesics for a variety of other clinical conditions, including neuropathic pain, spasticity-related pain, and nociplastic pain syndromes including fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and postoperative pain, among others. In this review, we highlight the signalling mechanisms of FDA-approved synthetic cannabinoids, discuss key clinical trials that investigate their analgesic potential, and illustrate challenges faced when bringing synthetic cannabinoids to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Maglaviceanu
- Division of Orthopaedics, Osteoarthritis Research Program, Schroeder Arthritis Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Miki Peer
- Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, University Health Network, Sinai Health System, and Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jason Rockel
- Division of Orthopaedics, Osteoarthritis Research Program, Schroeder Arthritis Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Robert P Bonin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mary-Ann Fitzcharles
- Department of Rheumatology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Karim S Ladha
- Department of Anesthesia, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anuj Bhatia
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto Western Hospital-University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Timothy Leroux
- Division of Orthopaedics, Osteoarthritis Research Program, Schroeder Arthritis Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lakshmi Kotra
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohit Kapoor
- Division of Orthopaedics, Osteoarthritis Research Program, Schroeder Arthritis Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Centre for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hance Clarke
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
- Department of Anesthesia, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Centre for Cannabinoid Therapeutics, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Transitional Pain Service, Pain Research Unit, Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
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Naya NM, Kelly J, Hogwood A, Abbate A, Toldo S. Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2024; 33:699-712. [PMID: 38703078 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2024.2351513] [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: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cannabidiol (CBD) is the primary non-psychoactive chemical derived from Cannabis Sativa, and its growing popularity is due to its potential therapeutic properties while avoiding the psychotropic effects of other phytocannabinoids, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Numerous pre-clinical studies in cellular and animal models and human clinical trials have demonstrated a positive impact of CBD on physiological and pathological processes. Recently, the FDA approved its use for the treatment of seizures, and clinical trials to test the efficacy of CBD in myocarditis and pericarditis are ongoing. AREAS COVERED We herein reviewed the current literature on the reported effects of CBD in the cardiovascular system, highlighting the physiological effects and the outcomes of using CBD as a therapeutic tool in pathological conditions to address this significant global health concern. EXPERT OPINION The comprehensive examination of the literature emphasizes the potential of CBD as a therapeutic option for treating cardiovascular diseases through its anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory, anti-fibrotic, and antioxidant properties in different conditions such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Martinez Naya
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jazmin Kelly
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Austin Hogwood
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Antonio Abbate
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Stefano Toldo
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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Titus C, Hoque MT, Bendayan R. PPAR agonists for the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:9-23. [PMID: 38065777 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.11.004] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors [PPARs; PPARα, PPARβ/δ (also known as PPARδ), and PPARγ] widely recognized for their important role in glucose/lipid homeostasis, have recently received significant attention due to their additional anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Several newly developed PPAR agonists have shown high selectivity for specific PPAR isoforms in vitro and in vivo, offering the potential to achieve desired therapeutic outcomes while reducing the risk of adverse effects. In this review, we discuss the latest preclinical and clinical studies of the activation of PPARs by synthetic, natural, and isoform-specific (full, partial, and dual) agonists for the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases, including HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celene Titus
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Md Tozammel Hoque
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada
| | - Reina Bendayan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, 144 College Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3M2, Canada.
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Maccarrone M, Di Marzo V, Gertsch J, Grether U, Howlett AC, Hua T, Makriyannis A, Piomelli D, Ueda N, van der Stelt M. Goods and Bads of the Endocannabinoid System as a Therapeutic Target: Lessons Learned after 30 Years. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:885-958. [PMID: 37164640 PMCID: PMC10441647 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The cannabis derivative marijuana is the most widely used recreational drug in the Western world and is consumed by an estimated 83 million individuals (∼3% of the world population). In recent years, there has been a marked transformation in society regarding the risk perception of cannabis, driven by its legalization and medical use in many states in the United States and worldwide. Compelling research evidence and the Food and Drug Administration cannabis-derived cannabidiol approval for severe childhood epilepsy have confirmed the large therapeutic potential of cannabidiol itself, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and other plant-derived cannabinoids (phytocannabinoids). Of note, our body has a complex endocannabinoid system (ECS)-made of receptors, metabolic enzymes, and transporters-that is also regulated by phytocannabinoids. The first endocannabinoid to be discovered 30 years ago was anandamide (N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine); since then, distinct elements of the ECS have been the target of drug design programs aimed at curing (or at least slowing down) a number of human diseases, both in the central nervous system and at the periphery. Here a critical review of our knowledge of the goods and bads of the ECS as a therapeutic target is presented to define the benefits of ECS-active phytocannabinoids and ECS-oriented synthetic drugs for human health. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The endocannabinoid system plays important roles virtually everywhere in our body and is either involved in mediating key processes of central and peripheral diseases or represents a therapeutic target for treatment. Therefore, understanding the structure, function, and pharmacology of the components of this complex system, and in particular of key receptors (like cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2) and metabolic enzymes (like fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase), will advance our understanding of endocannabinoid signaling and activity at molecular, cellular, and system levels, providing new opportunities to treat patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Jürg Gertsch
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Uwe Grether
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Allyn C Howlett
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Tian Hua
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Alexandros Makriyannis
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Natsuo Ueda
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
| | - Mario van der Stelt
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy (M.M.); European Center for Brain Research, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy (M.M.); Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada (V.D.); Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, NCCR TransCure, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (J.G.); Roche Pharma Research & Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland (U.G.); Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (A.C.H.); iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China (T.H.); Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (A.M.); Departments of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California (D.P.); Department of Biochemistry, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Kagawa, Japan (N.U.); Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands (M.S.)
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Kibret BG, Canseco-Alba A, Onaivi ES, Engidawork E. Crosstalk between the endocannabinoid and mid-brain dopaminergic systems: Implication in dopamine dysregulation. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1137957. [PMID: 37009000 PMCID: PMC10061032 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1137957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids (eCBs) and the expanded endocannabinoid system (ECS)-"endocannabinoidome", consists of the endogenous ligands, eCBs, their canonical and non-canonical receptor subtypes, and their synthesizing and metabolizing enzymes. This system modulates a wide range of body functions and acts as a retrograde signaling system within the central nervous system (CNS) by inhibition of classical transmitters, and plays a vital modulatory function on dopamine, a major neurotransmitter in the CNS. Dopamine is involved in different behavioral processes and contributes to different brain disorders-including Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and drug addiction. After synthesis in the neuronal cytosol, dopamine is packaged into synaptic vesicles until released by extracellular signals. Calcium dependent neuronal activation results in the vesicular release of dopamine and interacts with different neurotransmitter systems. The ECS, among others, is involved in the regulation of dopamine release and the interaction occurs either through direct or indirect mechanisms. The cross-talk between the ECS and the dopaminergic system has important influence in various dopamine-related neurobiological and pathologic conditions and investigating this interaction might help identify therapeutic targets and options in disorders of the CNS associated with dopamine dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berhanu Geresu Kibret
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, United States
| | - Ana Canseco-Alba
- Direction de Investigacion, Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocircirugia “Manuel Velasco Suarez”, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Emmanuel S. Onaivi
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Health, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, United States
| | - Ephrem Engidawork
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Rodrigues FDS, Jantsch J, Fraga GDF, Dias VS, Eller S, De Oliveira TF, Giovenardi M, Guedes RP. Cannabidiol treatment improves metabolic profile and decreases hypothalamic inflammation caused by maternal obesity. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1150189. [PMID: 36969815 PMCID: PMC10033544 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1150189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe implications of maternal overnutrition on offspring metabolic and neuroimmune development are well-known. Increasing evidence now suggests that maternal obesity and poor dietary habits during pregnancy and lactation can increase the risk of central and peripheral metabolic dysregulation in the offspring, but the mechanisms are not sufficiently established. Furthermore, despite many studies addressing preventive measures targeted at the mother, very few propose practical approaches to treat the damages when they are already installed.MethodsHere we investigated the potential of cannabidiol (CBD) treatment to attenuate the effects of maternal obesity induced by a cafeteria diet on hypothalamic inflammation and the peripheral metabolic profile of the offspring in Wistar rats.ResultsWe have observed that maternal obesity induced a range of metabolic imbalances in the offspring in a sex-dependant manner, with higher deposition of visceral white adipose tissue, increased plasma fasting glucose and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) levels in both sexes, but the increase in serum cholesterol and triglycerides only occurred in females, while the increase in plasma insulin and the homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA-IR) was only observed in male offspring. We also found an overexpression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL) 6, and interleukin (IL) 1β in the hypothalamus, a trademark of neuroinflammation. Interestingly, the expression of GFAP, a marker for astrogliosis, was reduced in the offspring of obese mothers, indicating an adaptive mechanism to in utero neuroinflammation. Treatment with 50 mg/kg CBD oil by oral gavage was able to reduce white adipose tissue and revert insulin resistance in males, reduce plasma triglycerides in females, and attenuate plasma LPS levels and overexpression of TNFα and IL6 in the hypothalamus of both sexes.DiscussionTogether, these results indicate an intricate interplay between peripheral and central counterparts in both the pathogenicity of maternal obesity and the therapeutic effects of CBD. In this context, the impairment of internal hypothalamic circuitry caused by neuroinflammation runs in tandem with the disruptions of important metabolic processes, which can be attenuated by CBD treatment in both ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda da Silva Rodrigues
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jeferson Jantsch
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gabriel de Farias Fraga
- Undergraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Victor Silva Dias
- Undergraduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Sarah Eller
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Tiago Franco De Oliveira
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Márcia Giovenardi
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Renata Padilha Guedes
- Graduate Program in Biosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Renata Padilha Guedes,
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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.
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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.
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10
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Kamaruzzaman MA, Romli MH, Abas R, Vidyadaran S, Hidayat Baharuldin MT, Nasaruddin ML, Thirupathirao V, Sura S, Warsito K, Mohd Nor NH, Azwaruddin MA, Alshawsh MA, Mohd Moklas MA. Regulatory role of the endocannabinoid system on glial cells toward cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1053680. [PMID: 36959856 PMCID: PMC10028478 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1053680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Over the last decade, researchers have sought to develop novel medications against dementia. One potential agent under investigation is cannabinoids. This review systematically appraised and meta-analyzed published pre-clinical research on the mechanism of endocannabinoid system modulation in glial cells and their effects on cognitive function in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: A systematic review complying with PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Six databases were searched: EBSCOHost, Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science, using the keywords AD, cannabinoid, glial cells, and cognition. The methodological quality of each selected pre-clinical study was evaluated using the SYRCLE risk of bias tool. A random-effects model was applied to analyze the data and calculate the effect size, while I2 and p-values were used to assess heterogeneity. Results: The analysis included 26 original articles describing (1050 rodents) with AD-like symptoms. Rodents treated with cannabinoid agonists showed significant reductions in escape latency (standard mean difference [SMD] = -1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.77 to -0.76, p < 0.00001) and ability to discriminate novel objects (SMD = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.76, p < 0.00001) compared to the control group. Furthermore, a significant decrease in Aβ plaques (SMD = -0.91; 95% CI: -1.55 to -0.27, p = 0.006) was observed in the endocannabinoid-treated group compared to the control group. Trends were observed toward neuroprotection, as represented by decreased levels of glial cell markers including glial fibrillary acid protein (SMD = -1.47; 95% CI: -2.56 to -0.38, p = 0.008) and Iba1 (SMD = -1.67; 95% CI: -2.56 to -0.79, p = 0.0002). Studies on the wild-type mice demonstrated significantly decreased levels of pro-inflammatory markers TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 (SMD = -2.28; 95% CI: -3.15 to -1.41, p = 0.00001). Despite the non-significant decrease in pro-inflammatory marker levels in transgenic mice (SMD = -0.47; 95% CI: -1.03 to 0.08, p = 0.09), the result favored the endocannabinoid-treated group over the control group. Conclusion: The revised data suggested that endocannabinoid stimulation promotes cognitive function via modulation of glial cells by decreasing pro-inflammatory markers in AD-like rodent models. Thus, cannabinoid agents may be required to modulate the downstream chain of effect to enhance cognitive stability against concurrent neuroinflammation in AD. Population-based studies and well-designed clinical trials are required to characterize the acceptability and real-world effectiveness of cannabinoid agents. Systematic Review Registration: [https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-8-0094/], identifier [Inplasy Protocol 3770].
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Amir Kamaruzzaman
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Hibatullah Romli
- Department of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Razif Abas
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sharmili Vidyadaran
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | | | | | - Sreenivasulu Sura
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, Malaysia
| | - Kabul Warsito
- Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Pembangunan Panca Budi, Medan, Indonesia
| | - Nurul Huda Mohd Nor
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Amsyar Azwaruddin
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohammed Abdullah Alshawsh
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas, ; Mohammed Abdullah Alshawsh,
| | - Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas
- Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Mohamad Aris Mohd Moklas, ; Mohammed Abdullah Alshawsh,
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11
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Oz M, Yang KHS, Mahgoub MO. Effects of cannabinoids on ligand-gated ion channels. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1041833. [PMID: 36338493 PMCID: PMC9627301 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1041833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytocannabinoids such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, endocannabinoids such as N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and synthetic cannabinoids such as CP47,497 and JWH-018 constitute major groups of structurally diverse cannabinoids. Along with these cannabinoids, CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and enzymes involved in synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids comprise the major components of the cannabinoid system. Although, cannabinoid receptors are known to be involved in anti-convulsant, anti-nociceptive, anti-psychotic, anti-emetic, and anti-oxidant effects of cannabinoids, in recent years, an increasing number of studies suggest that, at pharmacologically relevant concentrations, these compounds interact with several molecular targets including G-protein coupled receptors, ion channels, and enzymes in a cannabinoid-receptor independent manner. In this report, the direct actions of endo-, phyto-, and synthetic cannabinoids on the functional properties of ligand-gated ion channels and the plausible mechanisms mediating these effects were reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Oz
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
- *Correspondence: Murat Oz,
| | - Keun-Hang Susan Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange, CA, United States
| | - Mohamed Omer Mahgoub
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences, Khawarizmi International College, Abu Dhabi, UAE
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12
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Lima LSD, Loyola V, Bicca JVML, Faro L, Vale CLC, Lotufo Denucci B, Mortari MR. Innovative treatments for epilepsy: Venom peptides, cannabinoids, and neurostimulation. J Neurosci Res 2022; 100:1969-1986. [PMID: 35934922 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Antiepileptic drugs have been successfully treating epilepsy and providing individuals sustained seizure freedom. However, about 30% of the patients with epilepsy present drug resistance, which means they are not responsive to the pharmacological treatment. Considering this, it becomes extremely relevant to pursue alternative therapeutic approaches, in order to provide appropriate treatment for those patients and also improve their quality of life. In the light of that, this review aims to discuss some innovative options for the treatment of epilepsy, which are currently under investigation, addressing strategies that go from therapeutic compounds to clinical procedures. For instance, peptides derived from animal venoms, such as wasps, spiders, and scorpions, demonstrate to be promising antiepileptic molecules, acting on a variety of targets. Other options are cannabinoids and compounds that modulate the endocannabinoid system, since it is now known that this network is involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Furthermore, neurostimulation is another strategy, being an alternative clinical procedure for drug-resistant patients who are not eligible for palliative surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Silva de Lima
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Loyola
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - João Victor Montenegro Luzardo Bicca
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Lucas Faro
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Camilla Lepesqueur Costa Vale
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Bruna Lotufo Denucci
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Márcia Renata Mortari
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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13
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Molecular Alterations of the Endocannabinoid System in Psychiatric Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094764. [PMID: 35563156 PMCID: PMC9104141 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The therapeutic benefits of the current medications for patients with psychiatric disorders contrast with a great variety of adverse effects. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) components have gained high interest as potential new targets for treating psychiatry diseases because of their neuromodulator role, which is essential to understanding the regulation of many brain functions. This article reviewed the molecular alterations in ECS occurring in different psychiatric conditions. The methods used to identify alterations in the ECS were also described. We used a translational approach. The animal models reproducing some behavioral and/or neurochemical aspects of psychiatric disorders and the molecular alterations in clinical studies in post-mortem brain tissue or peripheral tissues were analyzed. This article reviewed the most relevant ECS changes in prevalent psychiatric diseases such as mood disorders, schizophrenia, autism, attentional deficit, eating disorders (ED), and addiction. The review concludes that clinical research studies are urgently needed for two different purposes: (1) To identify alterations of the ECS components potentially useful as new biomarkers relating to a specific disease or condition, and (2) to design new therapeutic targets based on the specific alterations found to improve the pharmacological treatment in psychiatry.
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Borgonetti V, Benatti C, Governa P, Isoldi G, Pellati F, Alboni S, Tascedda F, Montopoli M, Galeotti N, Manetti F, Miraldi E, Biagi M, Rigillo G. Non-psychotropic Cannabis sativa L. phytocomplex modulates microglial inflammatory response through CB2 receptors-, endocannabinoids-, and NF-κB-mediated signaling. Phytother Res 2022; 36:2246-2263. [PMID: 35393641 PMCID: PMC9325551 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis sativa L. is increasingly emerging for its protective role in modulating neuroinflammation, a complex process orchestrated among others by microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. Phytocannabinoids, especially cannabidiol (CBD), terpenes, and other constituents trigger several upstream and downstream microglial intracellular pathways. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of a CBD- and terpenes-enriched C. sativa extract (CSE) in an in vitro model of neuroinflammation. We evaluated the effect of CSE on the inflammatory response induced by exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in BV-2 microglial cells, compared with CBD and β-caryophyllene (CAR), CB2 receptors (CB2r) inverse and full agonist, respectively. The LPS-induced upregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was significantly attenuated by CSE and only partially by CBD, whereas CAR was ineffective. In BV-2 cells, these anti-inflammatory effects exerted by CSE phytocomplex were only partially dependent on CB2r modulation and they were mediated by the regulation of enzymes responsible for the endocannabinoids metabolism, by the inhibition of reactive oxygen species release and the modulation of JNK/p38 cascade with consequent NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation suppression. Our data suggest that C. sativa phytocomplex and its multitarget mechanism could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for neuroinflammatory-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittoria Borgonetti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cristina Benatti
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Paolo Governa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy (Department of Excellence 2018-2022), University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Federica Pellati
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Alboni
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabio Tascedda
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Consorzio Interuniversitario Biotecnologie, Trieste, Italy
| | - Monica Montopoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Galeotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), Section of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Manetti
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy (Department of Excellence 2018-2022), University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Miraldi
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Biagi
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Rigillo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Morales P, Muller C, Jagerovic N, Reggio PH. Targeting CB2 and TRPV1: Computational Approaches for the Identification of Dual Modulators. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:841190. [PMID: 35281260 PMCID: PMC8914543 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.841190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Both metabotropic (CBRs) and ionotropic cannabinoid receptors (ICRs) have implications in a range of neurological disorders. The metabotropic canonical CBRs CB1 and CB2 are highly implicated in these pathological events. However, selective targeting at CB2 versus CB1 offers optimized pharmacology due to the absence of psychoactive outcomes. The ICR transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) has also been reported to play a role in CNS disorders. Thus, activation of both targets, CB2 and TRPV1, offers a promising polypharmacological strategy for the treatment of neurological events including analgesia and neuroprotection. This brief research report aims to identify chemotypes with a potential dual CB2/TRPV1 profile. For this purpose, we have rationalized key structural features for activation and performed virtual screening at both targets using curated chemical libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Morales
- Medicinal Chemistry Institute, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Chanté Muller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
| | - Nadine Jagerovic
- Medicinal Chemistry Institute, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia H. Reggio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
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Cannabidiol Downregulates Myocardial De Novo Ceramide Synthesis Pathway in a Rat Model of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042232. [PMID: 35216351 PMCID: PMC8880314 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is known that metabolic disturbances, including obesity, predispose to an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Elevated consumption of dietary fat results in intramyocardial accumulation of lipids and their biologically active derivatives, which can disrupt the contractile function of the heart, its metabolism, and intracellular signaling pathways. Therefore, alternative methods, such as phytocannabinoids, are being sought for the treatment of obesity-related effects. In a model of rodent obesity (seven weeks of high-fat-diet (HFD) regime), we used cannabidiol—CBD therapy (intraperitoneal injections for 14 days; 10 mg/kg). High-performance and gas-liquid chromatographies were applied in order to determine sphingolipids in the heart and plasma as well as Western blotting for protein expression. Two-week CBD administration significantly inhibited the de novo ceramide synthesis pathway in the heart of HFD fed rats by lowering sphinganine and sphinganine-1-phosphate contents. The above reductions were accompanied by markedly diminished expressions of myocardial serine palmitoyltransferase 1 and 2 as well as ceramide synthase 5 and 6 in the HFD group with 2-week CBD treatment. To our knowledge, this research is the first that reveals unknown effects of CBD treatment on the heart, i.e., amelioration of de novo ceramide synthesis pathway in obese rats.
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17
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Leuci R, Brunetti L, Laghezza A, Piemontese L, Carrieri A, Pisani L, Tortorella P, Catto M, Loiodice F. A New Series of Aryloxyacetic Acids Endowed with Multi-Target Activity towards Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs), Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH), and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030958. [PMID: 35164223 PMCID: PMC8839882 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A new series of aryloxyacetic acids was prepared and tested as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) agonists and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors. Some compounds exhibited an interesting dual activity that has been recently proposed as a new potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is a multifactorial pathology, hence multi-target agents are currently one of the main lines of research for the therapy and prevention of this disease. Given that cholinesterases represent one of the most common targets of recent research, we decided to also evaluate the effects of our compounds on the inhibition of these specific enzymes. Interestingly, two of these compounds, (S)-5 and 6, showed moderate activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and even some activity, although at high concentration, against Aβ peptide aggregation, thus demonstrating, in agreement with the preliminary dockings carried out on the different targets, the feasibility of a simultaneous multi-target activity towards PPARs, FAAH, and AChE. As far as we know, these are the first examples of molecules endowed with this pharmacological profile that might represent a promising line of research for the identification of novel candidates for the treatment of AD.
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Parksepp M, Haring L, Kilk K, Koch K, Uppin K, Kangro R, Zilmer M, Vasar E. The Expanded Endocannabinoid System Contributes to Metabolic and Body Mass Shifts in First-Episode Schizophrenia: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020243. [PMID: 35203453 PMCID: PMC8869544 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the expanded endocannabinoid system (eECS) and cell membrane composition have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We enrolled 54 antipsychotic (AP)-naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients and 58 controls and applied a targeted metabolomics approach followed by multivariate data analysis to investigate the profile changes in the serum levels of endocannabinoids: 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and anandamide, endocannabinoids-like N-acylethanolamines (NAEs: linoleoylethanolamide, oleoylethanolamide, and palmitoylethanolamide), and their dominating lipid precursor’s phosphatidylcholines. Biomolecule profiles were measured at the onset of first-episode psychosis (FEP) and 0.6 years and 5.1 years after the initiation of AP treatment. The results indicated that FEP might be characterized by elevated concentrations of NAEs and by decreased 2-AG levels. At this stage of the disease, the NAE-mediated upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) manifested themselves in energy expenditure. A 5-year disease progression and AP treatment adverse effects led to a robust increase in 2-AG levels, which contributed to strengthened cannabinoid (CB1) receptor-mediated effects, which manifested in obesity. Dynamic 2-AG, NAEs, and their precursors in terms of phosphatidylcholines are relevant to the description of the metabolic shifts resulting from the altered eECS function during and after FEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madis Parksepp
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406 Tartu, Estonia;
- Psychiatry Clinic of Viljandi Hospital, 71024 Viljandi, Estonia
| | - Liina Haring
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406 Tartu, Estonia;
- Psychiatry Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, 50406 Tartu, Estonia; (K.K.); (K.U.)
- Centre of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Univesignallingrsity of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia; (K.K.); (M.Z.); (E.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +372-7318-767
| | - Kalle Kilk
- Centre of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Univesignallingrsity of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia; (K.K.); (M.Z.); (E.V.)
| | - Kadri Koch
- Psychiatry Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, 50406 Tartu, Estonia; (K.K.); (K.U.)
| | - Kärt Uppin
- Psychiatry Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, 50406 Tartu, Estonia; (K.K.); (K.U.)
| | - Raul Kangro
- Institute of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia;
| | - Mihkel Zilmer
- Centre of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Univesignallingrsity of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia; (K.K.); (M.Z.); (E.V.)
| | - Eero Vasar
- Centre of Excellence for Genomics and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Univesignallingrsity of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia; (K.K.); (M.Z.); (E.V.)
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Viana MDB, de Aquino PEA, Estadella D, Ribeiro DA, Viana GSDB. Cannabis sativa and Cannabidiol: A Therapeutic Strategy for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases? Med Cannabis Cannabinoids 2022; 5:207-219. [PMID: 36467781 PMCID: PMC9710321 DOI: 10.1159/000527335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
This work is a literature review, presenting the current state of the use of cannabinoids on neurodegenerative diseases. The emphasis is on Parkinson's (PD) and Alzheimer's (AD) diseases, the two most prevalent neurological diseases. The review goes from Cannabis sativa and its hundreds of bioactive compounds to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and mainly cannabidiol (CBD) and their interactions with the endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). CBD molecular targets were also focused on to explain its neuroprotective action mechanism on neurodegenerative diseases. Although THC is the main psychoactive component of C. sativa, and it may induce transient psychosis-like symptoms, growing evidence suggests that CBD may have protective effects against the psychotomimetic effects of THC and therapeutic properties. Furthermore, a great number of recent works on the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory CBD effects and its molecular targets are also reviewed. We analyzed CBD actions in preclinical and in clinical trials, conducted with PD and AD patients. Although the data on preclinical assays are more convincing, the same is not true with the clinical data. Despite the consensus among researchers on the potential of CBD as a neuroprotective agent, larger and well-designed randomized clinical trials will be necessary to gather conclusive results concerning the use of CBD as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of diseases such as PD and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena de Barros Viana
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Santos, Santos, Brazil
| | | | - Débora Estadella
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Santos, Santos, Brazil
| | - Daniel Araki Ribeiro
- Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Campus Santos, Santos, Brazil
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Lian J, Casari I, Falasca M. Modulatory role of the endocannabinoidome in the pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Pharmacol Res 2021; 175:106025. [PMID: 34883211 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.106025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Originating from Eastern Asia, the plant Cannabis sativa has been used for centuries as a medicinal treatment. The unwanted psychotropic effects of one of its major components, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, discouraged its therapeutic employment until, recently, the discovery of cannabinoids receptors and their endogenous ligands endocannabinoids reignited the interest. The endocannabinoid system has lately been found to play an important role in the maintenance of human health, both centrally and peripherally. However, the initial idea of the endocannabinoid system structure has been quickly understood to be too simplistic and, as new receptors, mediators, and enzymes have been discovered to participate in a complex relationship, the new, more comprehensive term "expanded endocannabinoid system" or "endocannabinoidome", has taken over. The discovery of other endocannabinoid-like receptors, such as the G protein-coupled receptor 119 and G protein-coupled receptor 55, has opened the way to the development of potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of various metabolic disorders. In addition, recent findings have also provided evidence suggesting the potential therapeutic link between the endocannabinoidome and various inflammatory-based gut diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. This review will provide an introduction to the endocannabinoidome, focusing on its modulatory role in the gastrointestinal tract and on the interest generated by the link between gut microbiota, the endocannabinoid system and metabolic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, type-2 diabetes and obesity. In addition, we will look at the potential novel aspects and benefits of drugs targeting the endocannabinoid system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Lian
- Metabolic Signalling Group, Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Ilaria Casari
- Metabolic Signalling Group, Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Marco Falasca
- Metabolic Signalling Group, Curtin Medical School, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
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21
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Lu Y, Zhu S, Zou Z, He Z, Yang H. [Modulatory effect of 2-arachidonoylglycerol on voltage-gated sodium currents in rat caudate nucleus neurons with kainic acid-induced injury]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2021; 41:1150-1157. [PMID: 34549704 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2021.08.04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the modulatory effect of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) on voltage-gated sodium currents(VGSCs) in rat caudate nucleus (CN) neurons with kainic acid (KA)-induced injury and explore the molecular mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of 2-AG. METHODS Primary cultures of CN neurons isolated from neonatal SD rats were treated with KA, 2-AG+KA, RIM (a CB1 receptor antagonist) +2-AG+KA, or vehicle only (as control).After 7 days in primary culture, the neurons were treated with corresponding agents for 12 h (RIM and 2-AG were added at the same time; KA was added 30 min later) before recording of current density changes, current-voltage characteristics, activation and inactivation kinetics of VGSCs (INa) using whole-cell patch clamp technique. RESULTS In cultured CN neurons, KA significantly increased current density of VGSCs (P=0.009) as compared with vehicle treatment.KA also produced a hyperpolarizing shift in the activation curve of INa and significantly increased the absolute value of V1/2 for activation (P=0.008).Addition of 2-AG in the culture medium obviously prevented KA-induced increase of INa (P=0.009) and hyperpolarizing shift in the activation curve of INa, and significantly reduced the value of V1/2 for activation(P=0.009)in a CB1 receptor-dependent manner.2-AG alone did not affect the density, activation or deactivation of VGSCs in rat CN neurons. CONCLUSION In excitotoxic events, endogenous 2-AG can offer neuroprotection by modulating VGSCs in the CN neurons through a CB1 receptor-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Lu
- Department of Functional Sciences, College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China.,Institute of Brain Grand Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - S Zhu
- Department of Functional Sciences, College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China.,Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - Z Zou
- Department of Neurology, Changjiang Shipping General Hospital, Wuhan 430010, China
| | - Z He
- Department of Functional Sciences, College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China.,Institute of Brain Grand Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
| | - H Yang
- Department of Functional Sciences, College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China.,Institute of Brain Grand Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
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Balezina OP, Tarasova EO, Gaydukov AE. Noncanonical Activity of Endocannabinoids and Their Receptors in Central and Peripheral Synapses. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 86:818-832. [PMID: 34284706 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921070038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
This review focuses on new aspects of endocannabinoid functions and mechanisms of activity in central and peripheral synapses, different from the general viewpoint that endocannabinoids are retrograde signaling molecules, which inhibit neurotransmitter release by activating specific presynaptic endocannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Biased agonism of the endogenous and synthetic cannabinoids as well as ability of the CB-receptors to couple not only with classical Gi-proteins, but also with Gs- and Gq-proteins and, moreover, with β-arrestins (thereby triggering additional signaling pathways in synapses) are described here in detail. Examples of noncanonical tonic activity of endocannabinoids and their receptors and their role in synaptic function are also presented. The role of endocannabinoids in short-term and long-term potentiation of neurotransmitter release in central synapses and their facilitating effect on quantal size and other parameters of acetylcholine release in mammalian neuromuscular junctions are highlighted in this review. In conclusion, it is stated that the endocannabinoid system has a wider range of various multidirectional modulating effects (both potentiating and inhibiting) on neurotransmitter release than initially recognized. Re-evaluation of the functions of endocannabinoid system with consideration of its noncanonical features will lead to better understanding of its role in the normal and pathological functioning of the nervous system and other systems of the body, which has an enormous practical value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga P Balezina
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
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Tang X, Liu Z, Li X, Wang J, Li L. Cannabinoid Receptors in Myocardial Injury: A Brother Born to Rival. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136886. [PMID: 34206926 PMCID: PMC8268439 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptors typically include type 1 (CB1) and type 2 (CB2), and they have attracted extensive attention in the central nervous system (CNS) and immune system. Due to more in-depth studies in recent years, it has been found that the typical CB1 and CB2 receptors confer functional importance far beyond the CNS and immune system. In particular, many works have reported the critical involvement of the CB1 and CB2 receptors in myocardial injuries. Both pharmacological and genetic approaches have been used for studying CB1 and CB2 functions in these studies, revealing that the brother receptors have many basic differences and sometimes antagonistic functions in a variety of myocardial injuries, despite some sequence or location identity they share. Herein, we introduce the general differences of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, and summarize the functional rivalries between the two brother receptors in the setting of myocardial injuries. We point out the importance of individual receptor-based modulation, instead of dual receptor modulators, when treating myocardial injuries.
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