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Cufaro MC, Prete R, Di Marco F, Sabatini G, Corsetti A, Gonzalez NG, Del Boccio P, Battista N. A proteomic insight reveals the role of food-associated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum C9O4 in reverting intestinal inflammation. iScience 2023; 26:108481. [PMID: 38213792 PMCID: PMC10783612 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, Western diets and lifestyle lead to an increasing occurrence of chronic gut inflammation that represents an emerging health concern with still a lack of successful therapies. Fermented foods, and their associated lactic acid bacteria, have recently regained popularity for their probiotic potential including the maintenance of gut homeostasis by modulating the immune and inflammatory response. Our study aims to investigate the crosstalk between the food-borne strain Lactiplantibacillus plantarum C9O4 and intestinal epithelial cells in an in vitro inflammation model. Cytokines profile shows the ability of C9O4 to significantly reduce levels of IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, and IFN-γ. Proteomic functional analysis reveals an immunoregulatory role of C9O4, able to revert the detrimental effects of IFN-γ through the JAK/STAT pathway in inflamed intestinal cells. These results suggest a promising therapeutic role of fermented food-associated microbes for the management of gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD042175.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Concetta Cufaro
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Roberta Prete
- Department of Bioscience for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Federica Di Marco
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Giusi Sabatini
- Department of Bioscience for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Aldo Corsetti
- Department of Bioscience for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Natalia Garcia Gonzalez
- Department of Bioscience for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Piero Del Boccio
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Department of Bioscience for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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D’Antonio V, Battista N, Di Mattia CD, Sacchetti G, Ramal-Sanchez M, Prete R, Angelino D, Serafini M. Edible insects and legumes exert an antioxidant effect on human colon mucosal cells stressed with 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane)-dihydrochloride. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1219837. [PMID: 37485379 PMCID: PMC10358759 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1219837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Edible insects have been recognized as a more sustainable source of nutrients and bio-active compounds than animal-based products, in line with classical vegetable sources such as legumes. In this study, we assessed the antioxidant properties of four edible insects (silkworms, grasshoppers, mealworms and giant worms) and four legume seeds (lentils, chickpeas, Roveja peas and grass peas). Methods After the aqueous extraction or in vitro simulated digestion process, selected products were assessed for: (i) in vitro antioxidant capacity through Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay; (ii) the ability to reduce free radicals production induced by a pro-oxidant agent in cells of human colonic mucosa. Results All the aqueous extracts and digesta of edible insects displayed significantly higher in vitro antioxidant activity than legumes. Moreover, edible insects at all tested concentrations were able to exert an antioxidant effect in the cellular model, while legumes were effective mainly at high concentrations. Discussion Despite human trials are need to confirm and define these results in a physiological situation, here we suggest a role for edible insects in oxidative stress prevention. Since oxidative stress is strongly correlated with several intestinal pathologies, the results obtained could be interesting for the prevention and relief of the negative symptoms, offering new advantages to their already known ecological and nutritional properties.
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Battista N, Fanti F, Sergi M. LC-MS/MS Analysis of AEA and 2-AG. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2576:41-47. [PMID: 36152176 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2728-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
LC-MS/MS is a powerful analytical technique that provides unequivocal identification and reliable quantification of the analytes, using Selected Reaction Monitoring or Multi Reaction Monitoring acquisition mode.Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) are the most abundant endocannabinoids (eCBs), which play a major role in a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes. Analysis of those compounds by means of LC-MS/MS allows the detection of very low concentrations in biological samples. Here, we describe how to determine AEA and 2-AG levels in tiny samples of tissues and plasma through LC-MS/MS, by using very quick and easy-to-perform extraction procedures, with reduced solvent consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Federico Fanti
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Manuel Sergi
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
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Vetuschi A, Battista N, Pompili S, Cappariello A, Prete R, Taticchi A, Selvaggini R, Latella G G, Corsetti A, Sferra R. The antiinflammatory and antifibrotic effect of olive phenols and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC513 in dextran sodium sulfate-induced chronic colitis. Nutrition 2022; 94:111511. [PMID: 34813981 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2021.111511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES After a chronic intestinal injury, several intestinal cells switch their phenotype to activated myofibroblasts, which in turn release an abnormal amount of extracellular matrix proteins, leading to the onset of the fibrotic process. To date, no resolutive pharmacological treatments are available, and the identification of new therapeutic approaches represents a crucial goal to achieve. The onset, maintenance, and progression of inflammatory bowel disease are related to abnormal intestinal immune responses to environmental factors, including diet and intestinal microflora components. This study aimed to evaluate the potential antiinflammatory and antifibrotic effect of a biologically debittered olive cream and its probiotic oral administration in an experimental model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced chronic colitis. METHODS Chronic colitis was induced in mice by three cycles of oral administration of 2.5% DSS (5 d of DSS followed by 7 d of tap water). Mice were randomly divided into five groups: 10 control mice fed with standard diet (SD), 20 mice receiving SD and DSS (SD+DSS), 20 mice receiving an enriched diet (ED) with olive cream and DSS (ED+DSS), 20 mice receiving SD plus probiotics (PB; Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC513) and DSS (SD+PB+DSS), and 20 mice receiving ED plus PB and DSS (ED+ PB+DSS). Clinical features and large bowel macroscopic, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings were evaluated. RESULTS The simultaneous administration of ED and PB induced a significant reduction in macroscopic and microscopic colitis scores compared with the other DSS-treated groups. In addition, ED and PB led to a significant decrease in the expression of inflammatory cytokines and profibrotic molecules. CONCLUSIONS The concomitant oral administration of a diet enriched with biologically debittered olive cream and a specific probiotic strain (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC513) can exert synergistic antiinflammatory and antifibrotic action in DSS-induced chronic colitis. Further studies are needed to define the cellular and molecular mechanisms modulated by olive cream compounds and by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IMC513.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Vetuschi
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Simona Pompili
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Alfredo Cappariello
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberta Prete
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Agnese Taticchi
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Roberto Selvaggini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Latella G
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences-Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Division, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Aldo Corsetti
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Roberta Sferra
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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D'Antonio V, Serafini M, Battista N. Dietary Modulation of Oxidative Stress From Edible Insects: A Mini-Review. Front Nutr 2021; 8:642551. [PMID: 33718423 PMCID: PMC7952304 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.642551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Edible insects are proposed as a nutritious and environmentally sustainable alternative source to animal proteins, due to their numerous advantages in terms of reduced ecological impact and high nutritional value. However, the novelty for edible insects relies on the content of bioactive ingredients potentially able to induce a functional effect in the body. The present review summarizes the main findings on the antioxidant properties of edible insects available in the literature. A total of 30 studies involving animals, cell cultures, or in vitro experimental studies evaluating the antioxidant effect of edible insects are presented in this work. When the antioxidant activity was investigated, using a wide variety of in vitro tests and in cellular models, positive results were shown. Dietary supplementation with edible insects was also able to counteract dietary oxidative stress in animal models, restoring the balance of antioxidant enzymes and reducing the formation of oxidation damage markers. On the basis of the reviewed evidences, edible insects might represent a source of novel redox ingredients at low ecological impact able to modulate oxidative stress. However, due to the fact that majority of these evidences have been obtained in vitro and in cellular and animal models, dietary intervention trials are needed to assess the efficacy of edible insect consumption to modulate redox status in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica D'Antonio
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technologies for Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Mauro Serafini
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technologies for Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technologies for Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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Garcia-Gonzalez N, Battista N, Prete R, Corsetti A. Health-Promoting Role of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Isolated from Fermented Foods. Microorganisms 2021; 9:349. [PMID: 33578806 PMCID: PMC7916596 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fermentation processes have been used for centuries for food production and preservation. Besides the contribution of fermentation to food quality, recently, scientific interest in the beneficial nature of fermented foods as a reservoir of probiotic candidates is increasing. Fermented food microbes are gaining attention for their health-promoting potential and for being genetically related to human probiotic bacteria. Among them, Lactiplantibacillus (Lpb.) plantarum strains, with a long history in the food industry as starter cultures in the production of a wide variety of fermented foods, are being investigated for their beneficial properties which are similar to those of probiotic strains, and they are also applied in clinical interventions. Food-associated Lpb. plantarum showed a good adaptation and adhesion ability in the gastro-intestinal tract and the potential to affect host health through various beneficial activities, e.g., antimicrobial, antioxidative, antigenotoxic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory, in several in vitro and in vivo studies. This review provides an overview of fermented-associated Lpb. plantarum health benefits with evidence from clinical studies. Probiotic criteria that fermented-associated microbes need to fulfil are also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roberta Prete
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (N.G.-G.); (N.B.); (A.C.)
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Garcia-Gonzalez N, Prete R, Perugini M, Merola C, Battista N, Corsetti A. Probiotic antigenotoxic activity as a DNA bioprotective tool: a minireview with focus on endocrine disruptors. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2021; 367:5775479. [PMID: 32124914 PMCID: PMC7082702 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnaa041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the interest in the role of dietary components able to influence the composition and the activity of the intestinal microbiota and, consequently, to modulate the risk of genotoxicity and colon cancer is increasing in the scientific community. Within this topic, the microbial ability to have a protective role at gastrointestinal level by counteracting the biological activity of genotoxic compounds, and thus preventing the DNA damage, is deemed important in reducing gut pathologies and is considered a new tool for probiotics and functional foods. A variety of genotoxic compounds can be found in the gut and, besides food-related mutagens and other DNA-reacting compounds, there is a group of pollutants commonly used in food packaging and/or in thousands of everyday products called endocrine disruptors (EDs). EDs are exogenous substances that alter the functions of the endocrine system through estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activity, which interfere with normal hormonal function in human and wildlife. Thus, this paper summarizes the main applications of probiotics, mainly lactobacilli, as a bio-protective tool to counteract genotoxic and mutagenic agents, by biologically inhibiting the related DNA damage in the gut and highlights the emerging perspectives to enlarge and further investigate the microbial bio-protective role at intestinal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Garcia-Gonzalez
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Balzarini 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Roberta Prete
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Balzarini 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Monia Perugini
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Balzarini 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Carmine Merola
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Balzarini 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Balzarini 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Aldo Corsetti
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Balzarini 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
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8
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Garcia-Gonzalez N, Nuñez-Sanchez MA, Villoria Recio M, Battista N, Gahan CGM, Corsetti A. Immunomodulation of J774A.1 Murine Macrophages by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strains Isolated From the Human Gastrointestinal Tract and Fermented Foods. Front Microbiol 2021; 11:557143. [PMID: 33510712 PMCID: PMC7835322 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.557143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactobacillus plantarum species (recently re-named Lactiplantibacillus (Lpb.) plantarum subsp. plantarum) can be isolated from both either the mammalian gut or specific fermented foods where they may be present at high concentrations. Whilst Lpb. plantarum strains have been proposed as potential probiotic candidates, the ability of resident strains consumed in fermented foods to interact with the host is unclear. The main objective of this study was to investigate the cellular location and ability of three different food-borne Lpb. plantarum strains isolated from different sources (table olives and cheese) to modulate the immune response of a murine macrophage-like cell line (J774A.1). For that purpose, macrophages were exposed to the three different Lpb. plantarum strains for 24 h and the expression of a panel of genes involved in the immune response, including genes encoding pattern-recognition receptors (TLRs and NLRs) and cytokines was evaluated by qRT-PCR. We also utilized chemical inhibitors of intracellular pathways to gain some insight into potential signaling mechanisms. Results showed that the native food strains of Lpb. plantarum were able to modulate the response of J774A.1 murine macrophages through a predominately NOD signaling pathway that reflects the transient intracellular location of these strains within the macrophage. The data indicate the capacity of food-dwelling Lpb. plantarum strains to influence macrophage-mediated host responses if consumed in sufficient quantities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Garcia-Gonzalez
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.,School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Miguel Villoria Recio
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Cormac G M Gahan
- School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Aldo Corsetti
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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Abstract
Although the primordial concept of lipids is associated with the role they play as key components of the cell membrane, growing research in the field of bioactive lipids and lipidomic technologies proves the prominent role of these molecules in other biological functions [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (T.B.); (N.B.)
| | - Tiziana Bisogno
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (T.B.); (N.B.)
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (T.B.); (N.B.)
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10
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Prete R, Garcia-Gonzalez N, Di Mattia CD, Corsetti A, Battista N. Food-borne Lactiplantibacillus plantarum protect normal intestinal cells against inflammation by modulating reactive oxygen species and IL-23/IL-17 axis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16340. [PMID: 33004903 PMCID: PMC7529774 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73201-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Food-associated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lpb. plantarum) strains, previously classified as Lactobacillus plantarum, are a promising strategy to face intestinal inflammatory diseases. Our study was aimed at clarifying the protective role of food-borne Lpb. plantarum against inflammatory damage by testing the scavenging microbial ability both in selected strains and in co-incubation with normal mucosa intestinal cells (NCM460). Here, we show that Lpb. plantarum endure high levels of induced oxidative stress through partially neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas they elicit their production when co-cultured with NCM460. Moreover, pre-treatment with food-borne Lpb. plantarum significantly reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17F and IL-23 levels in inflamed NCM460 cells. Our results suggest that food-vehicled Lpb. plantarum strains might reduce inflammatory response in intestinal cells by directly modulating local ROS production and by triggering the IL-23/IL-17 axis with future perspectives on health benefits in the gut derived by the consumption of functional foods enriched with selected strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Prete
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Natalia Garcia-Gonzalez
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Carla D Di Mattia
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Aldo Corsetti
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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Romigi A, Bari M, Liguori C, Izzi F, Rapino C, Nuccetelli M, Battista N, Bernardini S, Centonze D, Mercuri NB, Placidi F, Maccarrone M. CSF Levels of the Endocannabinoid Anandamide are Reduced in Patients with Untreated Narcolepsy Type 1: A Pilot Study. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 2020; 19:142-147. [PMID: 32148204 DOI: 10.2174/1871527319666200309115602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocannabinoids (ECs) modulate both excitatory and inhibitory components in the CNS. There is a growing body of evidence that shows ECs influence both hypothalamic orexinergic and histaminergic neurons involved in narcolepsy physiopathology. Therefore, ECs may influence sleep and sleep-wake cycle. OBJECTIVE To evaluate EC levels in the CSF of untreated narcoleptic patients to test whether ECs are dysregulated in Narcolepsy Type 1 (NT1) and Type 2 (NT2). METHODS We compared CSF Anandamide (AEA), 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and orexin in narcoleptic drug-naïve patients and in a sample of healthy subjects. RESULTS We compared NT1 (n=6), NT2 (n=6), and healthy controls (n=6). We found significantly reduced AEA levels in NT1 patients compared to both NT2 and controls. No differences were found between AEA levels in NT2 versus controls and between 2-AG levels in all groups, although a trend toward a decrease in NT1 was evident. Finally, the CSF AEA level was related to CSF orexin levels in all subjects. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that the EC system is dysregulated in NT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Romigi
- IRCCS Neuromed Sleep Medicine Center, Via Atinense, 18 Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | - Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Liguori
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Izzi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Rapino
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, University of Teramo, Agriculture and Environment, Teramo, Italy
| | - Marzia Nuccetelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, University of Teramo, Agriculture and Environment, Teramo, Italy
| | - Sergio Bernardini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Centonze
- IRCCS Neuromed Sleep Medicine Center, Via Atinense, 18 Pozzilli (IS), Italy
| | | | - Fabio Placidi
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Italy.,European Center for Brain Research, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Battista N, Bari M, Bisogno T. N-Acyl Amino Acids: Metabolism, Molecular Targets, and Role in Biological Processes. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9120822. [PMID: 31817019 PMCID: PMC6995544 DOI: 10.3390/biom9120822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The lipid signal is becoming increasingly crowded as increasingly fatty acid amide derivatives are being identified and considered relevant therapeutic targets. The identification of N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine as endogenous ligand of cannabinoid type-1 and type-2 receptors as well as the development of different–omics technologies have the merit to have led to the discovery of a huge number of naturally occurring N-acyl-amines. Among those mediators, N-acyl amino acids, chemically related to the endocannabinoids and belonging to the complex lipid signaling system now known as endocannabinoidome, have been rapidly growing for their therapeutic potential. Here, we review the current knowledge of the mechanisms for the biosynthesis and inactivation of the N-acyl amino acids, as well as the various molecular targets for some of the N-acyl amino acids described so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (M.B.); (T.B.)
| | - Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (M.B.); (T.B.)
| | - Tiziana Bisogno
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (N.B.); (M.B.); (T.B.)
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13
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Di Mattia C, Battista N, Sacchetti G, Serafini M. Antioxidant Activities in vitro of Water and Liposoluble Extracts Obtained by Different Species of Edible Insects and Invertebrates. Front Nutr 2019; 6:106. [PMID: 31380385 PMCID: PMC6643021 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A new global interest in entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, and invertebrates, arise from the impellent necessity of preserving agriculture resources and to obtain a drastic reduction of the ecological impact of animal food on the planet. The composite nutritional content, direct consequences of a plant-based feeding, associated with the undoubtedly ecological properties, suggest for insects a role as sustainable and functional foods. We aim to investigate the ability of water and liposoluble extracts, obtained by 12 commercially available edible insects and two invertebrates, to display an antioxidant effect in vitro. Results show that water-soluble extracts of grasshoppers, silkworm, and crickets display the highest values of antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 5-fold higher than fresh orange juice, while evening cicada, giant water bugs, Thai zebra tarantula, and black scorpions have negligible values. Grasshoppers, African caterpillars, and crickets have the highest levels of reducing power (FRAP), double than fresh orange juice. Grasshoppers, black ants, and mealworms contain the highest levels of total polyphenols, while Thai zebra tarantula, black scorpions, and giant water bugs are positioned at the bottom of the ranking. The liposoluble fraction of silkworm, evening cicada, and African caterpillars shows highest level of TEAC, twice than olive oil, while Thai zebra tarantula, palm worm, and black ants are placed at the bottom of the ranking. Edible insects and invertebrates represent a potential source of antioxidant ingredients with an efficiency related to their taxonomy and eating habits. More evidences are needed in order to understand if the practice of eating insects and invertebrates might contribute to modulate oxidative stress in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Di Mattia
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technologies for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technologies for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giampiero Sacchetti
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technologies for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Mauro Serafini
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technologies for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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Garcia-Gonzalez N, Prete R, Battista N, Corsetti A. Adhesion Properties of Food-Associated Lactobacillus plantarum Strains on Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Modulation of IL-8 Release. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2392. [PMID: 30349520 PMCID: PMC6186789 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Food-associated microbes can reach the gut as viable cells and interact with the human host providing potential health benefits. In this study, we evaluated the impact on cell viability and the adhesion ability of 22 Lactobacillus plantarum strains, mainly isolated from fermented foods, on a Normal-derived Colon Mucosa cell line. Furthermore, due to the presence of mucus layer on the gut epithelium, we also investigated whether the mucin could affect the microbial adhesion property. Our results demonstrated that all the strains displayed a strong ability to adhere to host cells, showing a strain-dependent behavior with preference for cell edges, that resulted not to be affected by the presence of mucin. Based on interleukin-8 release of intestinal cells induced by some Lb. plantarum strains, our data suggest a potential cross-talk with the host immune system as unconventional property of these food-associated microbes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Garcia-Gonzalez
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Roberta Prete
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Aldo Corsetti
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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15
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Bari M, Battista N, Merlini G, Fava M, Ruggiero C, Piccirillo S, Valentini G, Mascetti G, Gambacurta A, Maccarrone M. The SERiSM project: preliminary data on human stem cell reprogramming in microgravity. Front Physiol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/conf.fphys.2018.26.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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16
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Battista N, Di Tommaso M, Norfini A, Passerai M, Chiurchiù V, Maccarrone M, Bari M. Altered Anandamide Metabolism in Microgravity: the “RESLEM” experiment. Front Physiol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/conf.fphys.2018.26.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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17
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Malorni W, Bari M, Straface E, Battista N, Matarrese P, Finazzi-Agrò A, Del Principe D, Maccarrone M. Morphological evidence that 2-arachidonoylglycerol is a true agonist of human platelets. Thromb Haemost 2017. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1614296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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18
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Barbonetti A, Bisogno T, Battista N, Piscitelli F, Micillo A, Francavilla S, Maccarrone M, Francavilla F. 2-arachidonoylglycerol levels are increased in leukocytospermia and correlate with seminal macrophages. Andrology 2016; 5:87-94. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Barbonetti
- San Raffaele Sulmona Institute; Sulmona Italy
- Andrology Unit; Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences; University of L'Aquila; L'Aquila Italy
| | - T. Bisogno
- Endocannabinoid Research Group; Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry; National Research Council; Pozzuoli Italy
- Department of Medicine; Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - N. Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; Teramo Italy
| | - F. Piscitelli
- Endocannabinoid Research Group; Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry; National Research Council; Pozzuoli Italy
| | - A. Micillo
- Andrology Unit; Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences; University of L'Aquila; L'Aquila Italy
| | - S. Francavilla
- Andrology Unit; Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences; University of L'Aquila; L'Aquila Italy
| | - M. Maccarrone
- Department of Medicine; Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - F. Francavilla
- Andrology Unit; Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences; University of L'Aquila; L'Aquila Italy
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19
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Cupini LM, Bari M, Battista N, Argirò G, Finazzi-Agrò A, Calabresi P, Maccarrone M. Biochemical Changes in Endocannabinoid System are Expressed in Platelets of Female but not Male Migraineurs. Cephalalgia 2016; 26:277-81. [PMID: 16472333 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.01031.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA) plays important roles in modulating pain. Head pain is an almost universal human experience, yet primary headache disorders, such as migraine without aura (MoA) or episodic tension-type headache (ETTH), can represent a serious threat to well-being when frequent and disabling. We assessed the discriminating role of endocannabinoids among patients with ETTH or MoA, and control subjects. We measured the activity of AEA hydrolase and AEA transporter, and the level of cannabinoid receptors in peripheral platelets from MoA, ETTH and healthy controls. Sixty-nine headache patients and 36 controls were selected. Diagnosis of headache type was made according to the International Headache Society criteria. We observed significant sex differences concerning AEA membrane transporter and fatty acid amide hydrolase activity in all groups. An increase in the activity of AEA hydrolase and AEA transporter was found in female but not male migraineurs. Cannabinoid receptors were the same in all groups. Here we show that the endocannabinoid system in human platelets is altered in female but not male migraneurs. Our results suggest that in migraineur women an increased AEA degradation by platelets, and hence a reduced concentration of AEA in blood, might reduce the pain threshold and possibly explain the prevalence of migraine in women. The involvement of the endocannabinoid system in migraine is new and broadens our knowledge of this widespread and multifactorial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Cupini
- Centro Cefalee, Clinica Neurologica, Ospedale S. Eugenio, Roma, Italy.
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20
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Battista N, Sergi M. Determination of 2-Arachidonoylglycerol by μSPE-LC-MS/MS. Methods Mol Biol 2016; 1412:19-26. [PMID: 27245888 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3539-0_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
LC-MS/MS is a powerful analytical technique that provides unequivocal identification and reliable quantification of the analytes, using Selected Reaction Monitoring or Multi Reaction Monitoring acquisition mode.2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is the most abundant endocannabinoid, which plays a major role in a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes. Analysis of 2-AG by means of LC-MS/MS allows the detection of very low concentrations in biological samples. Here, we describe how to determine 2-AG levels in tiny samples of tissues and plasma through LC-MS/MS, by using very quick and easy to perform extraction procedures, with reduced solvent consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via 1, Teramo, 64023, Italy
| | - Manuel Sergi
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via 1, Teramo, 64023, Italy.
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex behavioral condition with onset during early childhood and a lifelong course in the vast majority of cases. To date, no behavioral, genetic, brain imaging, or electrophysiological test can specifically validate a clinical diagnosis of ASD. However, these medical procedures are often implemented in order to screen for syndromic forms of the disorder (i.e., autism comorbid with known medical conditions). In the last 25 years a good deal of information has been accumulated on the main components of the "endocannabinoid (eCB) system", a rather complex ensemble of lipid signals ("endocannabinoids"), their target receptors, purported transporters, and metabolic enzymes. It has been clearly documented that eCB signaling plays a key role in many human health and disease conditions of the central nervous system, thus opening the avenue to the therapeutic exploitation of eCB-oriented drugs for the treatment of psychiatric, neurodegenerative, and neuroinflammatory disorders. Here we present a modern view of the eCB system, and alterations of its main components in human patients and animal models relevant to ASD. This review will thus provide a critical perspective necessary to explore the potential exploitation of distinct elements of eCB system as targets of innovative therapeutics against ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhismadev Chakrabarti
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | - Antonio Persico
- Center of Integrated Research and School of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy
- Mafalda Luce Center for Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Milan, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Center of Integrated Research and School of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy.
- European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
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Gabrielli M, Battista N, Riganti L, Prada I, Antonucci F, Cantone L, Lombardi M, Matteoli M, Maccarrone M, Verderio C. Active endocannabinoids are secreted on the surface of microglial microvesicles. Springerplus 2015; 4:L29. [PMID: 27386192 PMCID: PMC4797144 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-4-s1-l29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martina Gabrielli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy ; European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Riganti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Prada
- CNR-IN Neuroscience Institute, Department of Medicine, Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Antonucci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Cantone
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Marta Lombardi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Matteoli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Claudia Verderio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
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Pacioni G, Rapino C, Zarivi O, Falconi A, Leonardi M, Battista N, Colafarina S, Sergi M, Bonfigli A, Miranda M, Barsacchi D, Maccarrone M. Truffles contain endocannabinoid metabolic enzymes and anandamide. Phytochemistry 2015; 110:104-110. [PMID: 25433633 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Truffles are the fruiting body of fungi, members of the Ascomycota phylum endowed with major gastronomic and commercial value. The development and maturation of their reproductive structure are dependent on melanin synthesis. Since anandamide, a prominent member of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), is responsible for melanin synthesis in normal human epidermal melanocytes, we thought that ECS might be present also in truffles. Here, we show the expression, at the transcriptional and translational levels, of most ECS components in the black truffle Tuber melanosporum Vittad. at maturation stage VI. Indeed, by means of molecular biology and immunochemical techniques, we found that truffles contain the major metabolic enzymes of the ECS, while they do not express the most relevant endocannabinoid-binding receptors. In addition, we measured anandamide content in truffles, at different maturation stages (from III to VI), through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis, whereas the other relevant endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol was below the detection limit. Overall, our unprecedented results suggest that anandamide and ECS metabolic enzymes have evolved earlier than endocannabinoid-binding receptors, and that anandamide might be an ancient attractant to truffle eaters, that are well-equipped with endocannabinoid-binding receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Pacioni
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Cinzia Rapino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy; StemTeCh Group, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Osvaldo Zarivi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Marco Leonardi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy; European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabrina Colafarina
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Manuel Sergi
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Antonella Bonfigli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Michele Miranda
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Daniela Barsacchi
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Gabrielli M, Battista N, Riganti L, Prada I, Antonucci F, Cantone L, Matteoli M, Maccarrone M, Verderio C. Active endocannabinoids are secreted on extracellular membrane vesicles. EMBO Rep 2015; 16:213-20. [PMID: 25568329 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201439668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoids primarily influence neuronal synaptic communication within the nervous system. To exert their function, endocannabinoids need to travel across the intercellular space. However, how hydrophobic endocannabinoids cross cell membranes and move extracellularly remains an unresolved problem. Here, we show that endocannabinoids are secreted through extracellular membrane vesicles produced by microglial cells. We demonstrate that microglial extracellular vesicles carry on their surface N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), which is able to stimulate type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1), and inhibit presynaptic transmission, in target GABAergic neurons. This is the first demonstration of a functional role of extracellular vesicular transport of endocannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Gabrielli
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Loredana Riganti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Flavia Antonucci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Laura Cantone
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Michela Matteoli
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Milano, Italy IRCCS Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Verderio
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Milano, Italy IRCCS Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy
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Abstract
The lasting research on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) has now provided solid and convincing evidence that proves the detrimental effects of recreational drug abuse (a growing habit among teenagers) on fertility. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) affect reproductive events from gametogenesis to fertilization, from embryo implantation to the final outcome of pregnancy and, thus, they have been proposed as suitable biomarkers to predict the reproductive potential of male and female gametes in clinical practice. Novel tools for reproductive medicine are highly sought after, and here we report the latest findings on the impact of the ECS on fertility, demonstrating how basic research can be translated into new medical strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Monica Bari
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
- School of Medicine and Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy.
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Fonseca B, Battista N, Correia-da-Silva G, Rapino C, Maccarrone M, Teixeira N. Activity of anandamide (AEA) metabolic enzymes in rat placental bed. Reprod Toxicol 2014; 49:74-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2014.07.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Gasperi V, Ceci R, Tantimonaco M, Talamonti E, Battista N, Parisi A, Florio R, Sabatini S, Rossi A, Maccarrone M. The fatty acid amide hydrolase in lymphocytes from sedentary and active subjects. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2014; 46:24-32. [PMID: 23793235 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0b013e3182a10ce6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Endocannabinoids (eCB) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels change during physical activity, thus suggesting their involvement in the modulation of exercise-related processes like inflammation and energy homeostasis. To investigate whether lifestyle might affect the activity of the eCB-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), active and sedentary subjects were enrolled. METHODS Plasma IL-6 levels and lymphocyte FAAH activity of eight physically active male subjects (mean ± SEM; age = 39.3 ± 2.9 yr, body mass index = 21.1 ± 0.4 kg·m), usually practicing aerobic exercise (8.1 ± 1.2 h·wk), and eight sedentary subjects (38.8 ± 3.7 yr, body mass index = 23.1 ± 0.8 kg·m) were measured. Also, in vitro effect of IL-6 was tested on FAAH expression and activity and on FAAH promoter activity in lymphocytes from sedentary subjects. RESULTS Under resting conditions (at least 12 h from the last exercise), the active group showed plasma IL-6 levels (2.74 ± 0.73 pg·mL) and lymphocyte FAAH activity (215.7 ± 38.5 pmol·min·mg protein) significantly higher than those measured in the sedentary group (0.20 ± 0.02 pg·mL, and 42.0 ± 4.2 pmol·min·mg protein). Increased IL-6 levels paralleled increased FAAH activity, and consistently, the in vitro treatment of lymphocytes from sedentary individuals with 10 ng·mL IL-6 for 48 h significantly increased FAAH expression and activity. Transient transfection experiments showed that IL-6 induced the expression of a reporter gene under the control of a cAMP response element-like region in the human FAAH promoter. A mutation in the same element abolished IL-6 up-regulation, demonstrating that this cytokine regulates FAAH activity at the transcriptional level. CONCLUSION IL-6 leads to activation of the FAAH promoter, thus enhancing FAAH activity that modulates the eCB tone in physically active people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Gasperi
- 1Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, ITALY; 2Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Foro Italico University of Rome, Rome, ITALY; 3Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, ITALY; 4Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, ITALY; and 5European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, ITALY
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Barbonetti A, Vassallo MRC, Costanzo M, Battista N, Maccarrone M, Francavilla S, Francavilla F. Involvement of cannabinoid receptor-1 activation in mitochondrial depolarizing effect of lipopolysaccharide in human spermatozoa. Andrology 2014; 2:502-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00210.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Revised: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Barbonetti
- Andrology Unit; Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences; University of L'Aquila; L'Aquila Italy
- San Raffaele Sulmona Institute; Sulmona Italy
| | - M. R. C. Vassallo
- Andrology Unit; Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences; University of L'Aquila; L'Aquila Italy
| | - M. Costanzo
- Andrology Unit; Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences; University of L'Aquila; L'Aquila Italy
| | - N. Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; Teramo Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation; Rome Italy
| | - M. Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation; Rome Italy
- Center of Integrated Research; Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome; Rome Italy
| | - S. Francavilla
- Andrology Unit; Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences; University of L'Aquila; L'Aquila Italy
| | - F. Francavilla
- Andrology Unit; Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences; University of L'Aquila; L'Aquila Italy
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a condition of the reproductive system that affects ∼10-15% of couples attempting to conceive a baby. More than half of all cases of infertility are a result of female conditions, while the remaining cases can be attributed to male factors, or to a combination of both. The search for suitable biomarkers of pregnancy outcome is a challenging issue in human reproduction, aimed at identifying molecules with predictive significance of the reproductive potential of male and female gametes. Among the various candidates, endocannabinoids (eCBs), and in particular anandamide (AEA), represent potential biomarkers of human fertility disturbances. Any perturbation of the balance between synthesis and degradation of eCBs will result in local changes of their tone in human female and male reproductive tracts, which in turn regulates various pathophysiological processes, oocyte and sperm maturation included. METHODS PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for papers using relevant keywords like 'biomarker', 'endocannabinoid', 'infertility', 'pregnancy' and 'reproduction'. RESULTS In this review, we discuss different studies on the measurements of AEA and related eCBs in human reproductive cells, tissues and fluids, where the local contribution of these bioactive lipids could be critical in ensuring normal sperm fertilizing ability and pregnancy. CONCLUSION Based on the available data, we suggest that the AEA tone has the potential to be exploited as a novel diagnostic biomarker of infertility, to be used in association with assays of conventional hormones (e.g. progesterone, β-chorionic gonadotrophin) and semen analysis. However further quantitative research of its predictive capacity is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Rapino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy StemTeCh Group, Chieti, Italy
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Bari
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Meccariello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università di Napoli Parthenope, 80133 Naples, Italy
- *Rosaria Meccariello:
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Heather B. Bradshaw
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Haibin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Meccariello R, Battista N, Bradshaw HB, Wang H. Updates in reproduction coming from the endocannabinoid system. Int J Endocrinol 2014; 2014:412354. [PMID: 24550985 PMCID: PMC3914453 DOI: 10.1155/2014/412354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an evolutionarily conserved master system deeply involved in the central and local control of reproductive functions in both sexes. The tone of these lipid mediators-deeply modulated by the activity of biosynthetic and hydrolyzing machineries-regulates reproductive functions from gonadotropin discharge and steroid biosynthesis to the formation of high quality gametes and successful pregnancy. This review provides an overview on ECS and reproduction and focuses on the insights in the regulation of endocannabinoid production by steroids, in the regulation of male reproductive activity, and in placentation and parturition. Taken all together, evidences emerge that the activity of the ECS is crucial for procreation and may represent a target for the therapeutic exploitation of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Meccariello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Motorie e del Benessere, Università di Napoli Parthenope, via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy
- *Rosaria Meccariello:
| | - Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
- European Center for Brain Research (CERC), Santa Lucia Foundation, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Heather B. Bradshaw
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Haibin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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Battista N, Sergi M, Montesano C, Napoletano S, Compagnone D, Maccarrone M. Analytical approaches for the determination of phytocannabinoids and endocannabinoids in human matrices. Drug Test Anal 2013; 6:7-16. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; Teramo Italy
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation; Rome Italy
| | - Manuel Sergi
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; Teramo Italy
| | | | - Sabino Napoletano
- Department of Chemistry; Sapienza University of Rome; Rome Italy
- Department of Public Safety, Ministry of Interior; Forensic Service/GIPS; Ancona Italy
| | - Dario Compagnone
- Faculty of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment; University of Teramo; Teramo Italy
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research/Santa Lucia Foundation; Rome Italy
- Center of Integrated Research; Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome; Rome Italy
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33
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Bari M, Battista N, Valenza M, Mastrangelo N, Malaponti M, Catanzaro G, Centonze D, Finazzi-Agrò A, Cattaneo E, Maccarrone M. In vitro and in vivo models of Huntington's disease show alterations in the endocannabinoid system. FEBS J 2013; 280:3376-88. [PMID: 23659592 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we analyzed the components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in R6/2 mice, a widely used model of Huntington's disease (HD). We measured the endogenous content of N-arachidonoylethanolamine and 2-arachidonoylglycerol and the activity of their biosynthetic enzymes (N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D and diacylglycerol lipase, respectively) and hydrolytic enzymes [fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase, respectively] and of their target receptors (type 1 cannabinoid receptor, type 2 cannabinoid receptor, and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1) in the brains of wild-type and R6/2 mice of different ages, as well as in the striatum and cortex of 12-week-old animals. In addition, we measured FAAH activity in lymphocytes of R6/2 mice. In the whole brains of 12-week-old R6/2 mice, we found reductions in N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activity, diacylglycerol lipase activity and cannabinoid receptor binding, mostly associated with changes in the striatum but not in the cortex, as well as an increase in 2-arachidonoylglycerol content as compared with wild-type littermates, without any other change in ECS elements. Then, our analysis was extended to HD43 cells, an inducible cellular model of HD derived from rat ST14A cells. In both induced and noninduced conditions, we demonstrated a fully functional ECS. Overall, our data suggest that the ECS is differently affected in mouse and human HD, and that HD43 cells are suitable for high-throughput screening of FAAH-oriented drugs affecting HD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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34
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Battista N, Di Sabatino A, Di Tommaso M, Biancheri P, Rapino C, Giuffrida P, Papadia C, Montana C, Pasini A, Vanoli A, Lanzarotto F, Villanacci V, Corazza GR, Maccarrone M. Altered expression of type-1 and type-2 cannabinoid receptors in celiac disease. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62078. [PMID: 23620805 PMCID: PMC3631143 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Anandamide (AEA) is the prominent member of the endocannabinoid family and its biological action is mediated through the binding to both type-1 (CB1) and type-2 (CB2) cannabinoid receptors (CBR). The presence of AEA and CBR in the gastrointestinal tract highlighted their pathophysiological role in several gut diseases, including celiac disease. Here, we aimed to investigate the expression of CBR at transcriptional and translational levels in the duodenal mucosa of untreated celiac patients, celiac patients on a gluten-free diet for at least 12 months and control subjects. Also biopsies from treated celiac patients cultured ex vivo with peptic-tryptic digest of gliadin were investigated. Our data show higher levels of both CB1 and CB2 receptors during active disease and normal CBR levels in treated celiac patients. In conclusion, we demonstrate an up-regulation of CB1 and CB2 mRNA and protein expression, that points to the therapeutic potential of targeting CBR in patients with celiac disease.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Celiac Disease/drug therapy
- Celiac Disease/genetics
- Celiac Disease/metabolism
- Celiac Disease/pathology
- Female
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Gliadin/pharmacology
- Humans
- Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects
- Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism
- Intestinal Mucosa/pathology
- Male
- Microscopy, Confocal
- Protein Binding/drug effects
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
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35
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Lewis SEM, Rapino C, Di Tommaso M, Pucci M, Battista N, Paro R, Simon L, Lutton D, Maccarrone M. Differences in the endocannabinoid system of sperm from fertile and infertile men. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47704. [PMID: 23082196 PMCID: PMC3474715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a major cause of problems for many couples in conceiving a child. Recently, lifestyle pastimes such as alcohol, tobacco and marijuana have been shown to have further negative effects on male reproduction. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), mainly through the action of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) at cannabinoid (CB1, CB2) and vanilloid (TRPV1) receptors, plays a crucial role in controlling functionality of sperm, with a clear impact on male reproductive potential. Here, sperm from fertile and infertile men were used to investigate content (through LC-ESI-MS), mRNA (through quantitative RT-PCR), protein (through Western Blotting and ELISA) expression, and functionality (through activity and binding assays) of the main metabolic enzymes of AEA and 2-AG (NAPE-PLD and FAAH, for AEA; DAGL and MAGL for 2-AG), as well as of their binding receptors CB1, CB2 and TRPV1. Our findings show a marked reduction of AEA and 2-AG content in infertile seminal plasma, paralleled by increased degradation: biosynthesis ratios of both substances in sperm from infertile versus fertile men. In addition, TRPV1 binding was detected in fertile sperm but was undetectable in infertile sperm, whereas that of CB1 and CB2 receptors was not statistically different in the two groups. In conclusion, this study identified unprecedented alterations of the ECS in infertile sperm, that might impact on capacitation and acrosome reaction, and hence fertilization outcomes. These alterations might also point to new biomarkers to determine male reproductive defects, and identify distinct ECS elements as novel targets for therapeutic exploitation of ECS-oriented drugs to treat male fertility problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena E M Lewis
- School of Medicine, Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Institute of Clinical Science, Belfast, United Kingdom
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Battista N, Di Sabatino A, Di Tommaso M, Biancheri P, Rapino C, Vidali F, Papadia C, Montana C, Pasini A, Lanzini A, Villanacci V, Corazza GR, Maccarrone M. Abnormal anandamide metabolism in celiac disease. J Nutr Biochem 2012; 23:1245-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2011.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2011] [Revised: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Bátkai S, Mukhopadhyay P, Horváth B, Rajesh M, Gao RY, Mahadevan A, Amere M, Battista N, Lichtman AH, Gauson LA, Maccarrone M, Pertwee RG, Pacher P. Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabivarin prevents hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion injury by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses through cannabinoid CB2 receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 165:2450-61. [PMID: 21470208 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01410.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Activation of cannabinoid CB(2) receptors protects against various forms of ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Δ(8) -Tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ(8) -THCV) is a synthetic analogue of the plant cannabinoid Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabivarin, which exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in rodents involving activation of CB(2) receptors. Here, we assessed effects of Δ(8) -THCV and its metabolite 11-OH-Δ(8) -THCV on CB(2) receptors and against hepatic I/R injury. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Effects in vitro were measured with human CB(2) receptors expressed in CHO cells. Hepatic I/R injury was assessed in mice with 1h ischaemia and 2, 6 or 24h reperfusion in vivo. KEY RESULTS Displacement of [(3) H]CP55940 by Δ(8) -THCV or 11-OH-Δ(8) -THCV from specific binding sites in CHO cell membranes transfected with human CB(2) receptors (hCB(2) ) yielded K(i) values of 68.4 and 59.95 nM respectively. Δ(8) -THCV or 11-OH-Δ(8) -THCV inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP production by hCB(2) CHO cells (EC(50) = 12.95 and 14.3 nM respectively). Δ(8) -THCV, given before induction of I/R, attenuated hepatic injury (measured by serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels), decreased tissue protein carbonyl adducts, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, the chemokines CCL3 and CXCL2,TNF-α, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (CD54) mRNA levels, tissue neutrophil infiltration, caspase 3/7 activity and DNA fragmentation. Protective effects of Δ(8) -THCV against liver damage were still present when the compound was given at the beginning of reperfusion. Pretreatment with a CB(2) receptor antagonist attenuated the protective effects of Δ(8) -THCV, while a CB(1) antagonist tended to enhance it. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Δ(8) -THCV activated CB(2) receptors in vitro, and decreased tissue injury and inflammation in vivo, associated with I/R partly via CB(2) receptor activation. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.165.issue-8. To view Part I of Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2011.163.issue-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Bátkai
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Battista N, Meccariello R, Cobellis G, Fasano S, Di Tommaso M, Pirazzi V, Konje JC, Pierantoni R, Maccarrone M. The role of endocannabinoids in gonadal function and fertility along the evolutionary axis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 355:1-14. [PMID: 22305972 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Revised: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are natural lipids able to bind to cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors. Their biological actions at the central and peripheral level are under the tight control of the proteins responsible for their synthesis, transport and degradation. In the last few years, several reports have pointed out these lipid mediators as critical signals, together with sex hormones and cytokines, in various aspects of animal and human reproduction. The identification of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in reproductive cells and tissues of invertebrates, vertebrates and mammals highlights the key role played by these endogenous compounds along the evolutionary axis. Here, we review the main actions of endocannabinoids on female and male reproductive events, and discuss the interplay between them, steroid hormones and cytokines in regulating fertility. In addition, we discuss the involvement of endocannabinoid signalling in ensuring a correct chromatin remodeling, and hence a good DNA quality, in sperm cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Comparate, Università di Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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Caprioli A, Coccurello R, Rapino C, Di Serio S, Di Tommaso M, Vertechy M, Vacca V, Battista N, Pavone F, Maccarrone M, Borsini F. The novel reversible fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor ST4070 increases endocannabinoid brain levels and counteracts neuropathic pain in different animal models. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2012; 342:188-95. [PMID: 22514334 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.111.191403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of the enol carbamate 1-biphenyl-4-ylethenyl piperidine-1-carboxylate (ST4070), a novel reversible inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), was investigated for acute pain sensitivity and neuropathic pain in rats and mice. Brain enzymatic activity of FAAH and the endogenous levels of its substrates, anandamide (AEA; N-arachidonoylethanolamine), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and N-palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), were measured in control and ST4070-treated mice. ST4070 (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg) was orally administered to assess mechanical nociceptive thresholds and allodynia by using the Randall-Selitto and von Frey tests, respectively. Neuropathy was induced in rats by either the chemotherapeutic agent vincristine or streptozotocin-induced diabetes, whereas the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model was chosen to evaluate neuropathy in mice. ST4070 produced a significant increase of nociceptive threshold in rats and counteracted the decrease of nociceptive threshold in the three distinct models of neuropathic pain. In diabetic mice, ST4070 inhibited FAAH activity and increased the brain levels of AEA and PEA, without affecting that of 2-AG. The administration of ST4070 generated long-lasting pain relief compared with pregabalin and the FAAH inhibitors 1-oxo-1[5-(2-pyridyl)-2-yl]-7-phenylheptane (OL135) and cyclohexylcarbamic acid 3'-carbamoylbiphenyl-3-ylester (URB597) in CCI neuropathic mice. The antiallodynic effects of ST4070 were prevented by pretreatment with cannabinoid type 1 and cannabinoid type 2 receptor antagonists and by the selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α antagonist [(2S)-2-[[(1Z)-1-methyl-3-oxo-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1-propenyl]amino]-3-[4-[2-(5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-oxazolyl)ethoxy]phenyl]propyl]-carbamic acid ethyl ester (GW6471). The administration of ST4070 generated long-lasting neuropathic pain relief compared with pregabalin and the FAAH inhibitors OL135 and URB597. Taken together, the reversible FAAH inhibitor ST4070 seems to be a promising novel therapeutic agent for the management of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Caprioli
- Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.p.A., Via Pontina km. 30,400, 00040 Pomezia, Italy.
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M Lewis SE, Paro R, Borriello L, Simon L, Robinson L, Dincer Z, Riedel G, Battista N, Maccarrone M. Long-term use of HU210 adversely affects spermatogenesis in rats by modulating the endocannabinoid system. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 35:731-40. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2012.01259.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Pucci M, Pasquariello N, Battista N, Di Tommaso M, Rapino C, Fezza F, Zuccolo M, Jourdain R, Finazzi Agrò A, Breton L, Maccarrone M. Endocannabinoids stimulate human melanogenesis via type-1 cannabinoid receptor. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:15466-78. [PMID: 22431736 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.314880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We show that a fully functional endocannabinoid system is present in primary human melanocytes (normal human epidermal melanocyte cells), including anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol, the respective target receptors (CB(1), CB(2), and TRPV1), and their metabolic enzymes. We also show that at higher concentrations AEA induces normal human epidermal melanocyte apoptosis (∼3-fold over controls at 5 μM) through a TRPV1-mediated pathway that increases DNA fragmentation and p53 expression. However, at lower concentrations, AEA and other CB(1)-binding endocannabinoids dose-dependently stimulate melanin synthesis and enhance tyrosinase gene expression and activity (∼3- and ∼2-fold over controls at 1 μM). This CB(1)-dependent activity was fully abolished by the selective CB(1) antagonist SR141716 or by RNA interference of the receptor. CB(1) signaling engaged p38 and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinases, which in turn activated the cyclic AMP response element-binding protein and the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor. Silencing of tyrosinase or microphthalmia-associated transcription factor further demonstrated the involvement of these proteins in AEA-induced melanogenesis. In addition, CB(1) activation did not engage the key regulator of skin pigmentation, cyclic AMP, showing a major difference compared with the regulation of melanogenesis by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone through melanocortin 1 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Pucci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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Abstract
Upon the identification of anandamide (AEA) in the porcine brain, numerous studies contributed to the current state of knowledge regarding all elements that form the “endocannabinoid system (ECS).”How this complex system of receptors, ligands, and enzymes is integrated in helping to regulate fundamental processes at level of central nervous and peripheral systems and how its regulation and dysregulation might counteract disturbances of such functions, is nowadays still under investigation. However, the most recent advances on the physiological distribution and functional role of ECS allowed the progress of various research tools aimed at the therapeutic exploitation of endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling, as well as the development of novel drugs with pharmacological advantages. Here, we shall briefly overview the metabolic and signal transduction pathways of the main eCBs representatives, AEA, and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and we will discuss the therapeutic potential of new ECS-oriented drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo Teramo, Italy
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43
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Battista N, Meloni MA, Bari M, Mastrangelo N, Galleri G, Rapino C, Dainese E, Agrò AF, Pippia P, Maccarrone M. 5-Lipoxygenase-dependent apoptosis of human lymphocytes in the International Space Station: data from the ROALD experiment. FASEB J 2012; 26:1791-8. [PMID: 22253478 DOI: 10.1096/fj.11-199406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The functional adaptation of the immune system to the surrounding environment is also a fundamental issue in space. It has been suggested that a decreased number of lymphocytes might be a cause of immunosuppression, possibly due to the induction of apoptosis. Early activation of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) might play a central role in the initiation of the apoptotic program. The goal of the role of apoptosis in lymphocyte depression (ROALD) experiment, flown on the International Space Station as part of the BIO-4 mission of the European Space Agency, was to ascertain the induction of apoptosis in human lymphocytes under authentic microgravity, and to elucidate the possible involvement of 5-LOX. Our results demonstrate that exposure of human lymphocytes to microgravity for 48 h onboard the ISS remarkably increased apoptotic hallmarks such as DNA fragmentation (∼3-fold compared to ground-based controls) and cleaved-poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein expression (∼3-fold), as well as mRNA levels of apoptosis-related markers such as p53 (∼3-fold) and calpain (∼4-fold); these changes were paralleled by an early increase of 5-LOX activity (∼2-fold). Our findings provide a molecular background for the immune dysfunction observed in astronauts during space missions, and reveal potential new markers to monitor health status of ISS crew members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Battista
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Piazza A. Moro 45, I-64100 Teramo, Italy
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Catanzaro G, Battista N, Rossi G, Di Tommaso M, Pucci M, Pirazzi V, Cecconi S, Maccarrone M. Effect of capacitation on the endocannabinoid system of mouse sperm. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2011; 343:88-92. [PMID: 21723369 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2010] [Revised: 01/28/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The presence of the elements of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in sperm isolated from several species (from invertebrates to mammals, humans included) has supported the "evolutionary theory" that proposes endocannabinoids as check points in reproductive events like capacitation. In this study, we characterized the ECS elements at the mRNA, protein and functional levels in mouse sperm before and after capacitation. We found that the latter process increases the endogenous levels of the two major endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol), through a decreased degradation and increased biosynthesis, respectively. Additionally, we found that the binding activity of cannabinoid receptors was not affected by sperm capacitation, whereas that of vanilloid receptor was reduced. Overall, our data demonstrate that mouse sperm have a fully functional ECS, and that capacitation alters the endogenous tone of the major endocannabinoids through distinct mechanisms.
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Barboni B, Bernabò N, Palestini P, Botto L, Pistilli MG, Charini M, Tettamanti E, Battista N, Maccarrone M, Mattioli M. Type-1 cannabinoid receptors reduce membrane fluidity of capacitated boar sperm by impairing their activation by bicarbonate. PLoS One 2011; 6:e23038. [PMID: 21829686 PMCID: PMC3150387 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2011] [Accepted: 07/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mammalian spermatozoa acquire their full fertilizing ability (so called capacitation) within the female genital tract, where they are progressively exposed to inverse gradients of inhibiting and stimulating molecules. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the present research, the effect on this process of anandamide, an endocannabinoid that can either activate or inhibit cannabinoid receptors depending on its concentration, and bicarbonate, an oviductal activatory molecule, was assessed, in order to study the role exerted by the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) in the process of lipid membrane remodeling crucial to complete capacitation. To this aim, boar sperm were incubated in vitro under capacitating conditions (stimulated by bicarbonate) in the presence or in the absence of methanandamide (Met-AEA), a non-hydrolysable analogue of anandamide. The CB1R involvement was studied by using the specific inhibitor (SR141716) or mimicking its activation by adding a permeable cAMP analogue (8Br-cAMP). By an immunocytochemistry approach it was shown that the Met-AEA inhibits the bicarbonate-dependent translocation of CB1R from the post-equatorial to equatorial region of sperm head. In addition it was found that Met-AEA is able to prevent the bicarbonate-induced increase in membrane disorder and the cholesterol extraction, both preliminary to capacitation, acting through a CB1R-cAMP mediated pathway, as indicated by MC540 and filipin staining, EPR spectroscopy and biochemical analysis on whole membranes (CB1R activity) and on membrane enriched fraction (C/P content and anisotropy). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Altogether, these data demonstrate that the endocannabinoid system strongly inhibits the process of sperm capacitation, acting as membrane stabilizing agent, thus increasing the basic knowledge on capacitation-related signaling and potentially opening new perspectives in diagnostics and therapeutics of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Barboni
- Department of Biomedical Comparative Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy.
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Di Sabatino A, Battista N, Biancheri P, Rapino C, Rovedatti L, Astarita G, Vanoli A, Dainese E, Guerci M, Piomelli D, Pender SLF, MacDonald TT, Maccarrone M, Corazza GR. Erratum: Corrigendum: The endogenous cannabinoid system in the gut of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Mucosal Immunol 2011. [DOI: 10.1038/mi.2011.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Bari M, Battista N, Pirazzi V, Maccarrone M. The manifold actions of endocannabinoids on female and male reproductive events. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed) 2011; 16:498-516. [PMID: 21196184 DOI: 10.2741/3701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have highlighted the ever growing use of illegal drugs among teenagers. The negative effects of marijuana (a Cannabis sativa extract) on reproductive health are poorly known among young people, although chronic exposure to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive constituent of marijuana, impairs human reproductive potential by disrupting menstrual cycle, suppressing oogenesis and impairing embryo implantation and development, in women, and by increasing ejaculation problems, reducing sperm count and motility, and generating loss of libido and impotence, in men. Endocannabinoids, their metabolic enzymes and target receptors form the so called "endocannabinoid system" and they have been demonstrated to respond to fertility signals. In addition, they interfere with hormones, cytokines and other signalling molecules in both female and male reproductive events. In this review, we shall summarize the current knowledge on the endocannabinoid system, and on the multifaceted roles played by endocannabinoids in reproduction along the evolutionary axis from invertebrates to mammals. Furthermore, we shall discuss the potential use of distinct elements of the endocannabinoid system for the diagnosis and/or treatment of human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Bari M, Tedesco M, Battista N, Pasquariello N, Pucci M, Gasperi V, Scaldaferri ML, Farini D, De Felici M, Maccarrone M. Characterization of the endocannabinoid system in mouse embryonic stem cells. Stem Cells Dev 2010; 20:139-47. [PMID: 20446814 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2009.0515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we have ascertained the presence and functionality in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) of members of the endocannabinoid system that have been proposed as possible modulators of the survival and differentiation of various type of stem cells. We show that mouse ESCs, in addition to classical CB(1) and CB(2) cannabinoid receptors, express the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor, at mRNA, protein, and binding levels. Remarkably, we demonstrate that ESCs have the mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity to synthesize and degrade the prominent endocannabinoids anandamide (through N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D and fatty acid amide hydrolase) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (through diacylglycerol lipase and monoacylglycerol lipase). In addition, both endocannabinoids were detected in ESCs that were also shown to constitutively release a fatty acid amide hydrolase-activating compound. Finally, we document that the stimulation of ESCs by methanandamide, a nonhydrolysable analog of anandamide, does not lead to overt alteration of the expression of Oct3/4, Nanog, and Cdx2, genes that are involved in early cell fate in the preimplantation embryo and stemness, or of the expression patterns of Brachyury and Hnf4, genes that are used as late markers of lineage differentiation capability of ESC-derived embryoid bodies. Similarly ineffective on the expression of the tested stemness genes was 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Taken together, these results confirm and extend the notion that ESCs express several functional members of the endocannabinoid system, but they leave open the question about their role in stem cells as modulators of stemness and differentiation potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Bari
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Bari M, Bonifacino T, Milanese M, Spagnuolo P, Zappettini S, Battista N, Giribaldi F, Usai C, Bonanno G, Maccarrone M. The endocannabinoid system in rat gliosomes and its role in the modulation of glutamate release. Cell Mol Life Sci 2010; 68:833-45. [DOI: 10.1007/s00018-010-0494-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Francavilla F, Battista N, Barbonetti A, Vassallo MRC, Rapino C, Antonangelo C, Pasquariello N, Catanzaro G, Barboni B, Maccarrone M. Characterization of the endocannabinoid system in human spermatozoa and involvement of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 receptor in their fertilizing ability. Endocrinology 2009; 150:4692-700. [PMID: 19608651 DOI: 10.1210/en.2009-0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Human spermatozoa express type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1), whose activation by anandamide (AEA) affects motility and acrosome reaction (AR). In this study, we extended the characterization of the AEA-related endocannabinoid system in human spermatozoa, and we focused on the involvement of the AEA-binding vanilloid receptor (TRPV1) in their fertilizing ability. Protein expression was revealed for CB1 ( approximately 56 kDa), TRPV1 ( approximately 95 kDa), AEA-synthesizing phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) ( approximately 46 kDa), and AEA-hydrolyzing enzyme [fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), approximately 66 kDa]. Both AEA-binding receptors (CB1 and TRPV1) exhibited a functional binding activity; enzymatic activity was demonstrated for NAPE-PLD, FAAH, and the purported endocannabinoid membrane transporter (EMT). Immunoreactivity for CB1, NAPE-PLD, and FAAH was localized in the postacrosomal region and in the midpiece, whereas for TRPV1, it was restricted to the postacrosomal region. Capsazepine (CPZ), a selective antagonist of TRPV1, inhibited progesterone (P)-enhanced sperm/oocyte fusion, as evaluated by the hamster egg penetration test. This inhibition was due to a reduction of the P-induced AR rate above the spontaneous AR rate, which was instead increased. The sperm exposure to OMDM-1, a specific inhibitor of EMT, prevented the promoting effect of CPZ on spontaneous AR rate and restored the sperm responsiveness to P. No significant effects could be observed on sperm motility. In conclusion, this study provides unprecedented evidence that human spermatozoa exhibit a completely functional endocannabinoid system related to AEA and that the AEA-binding TRPV1 receptor could be involved in the sperm fertilizing ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Francavilla
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of L'Aquila, I-67100 Coppito, l'Aquila, Italy.
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