Endocannabinoid system imbalance in the postmortem prefrontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 1132-1140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Muguruza ◽  
Benito Morentin ◽  
J Javier Meana ◽  
Stephen PH Alexander ◽  
Luis F Callado
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Postmortem Brain ◽  
Functional Coupling ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
The Status ◽  
And Function

Background: The endocannabinoid system – comprising cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoid ligands and their synthesis and inactivation enzymes – has been widely implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, little is known regarding the status of the different elements of the endocannabinoid system in the brain of schizophrenic patients. We have previously reported altered endocannabinoid levels in the postmortem brain of subjects with schizophrenia compared with matched controls. Aims: Our aim was to further examine the status of the main elements of the endocannabinoid system in the postmortem prefrontal cortex of the same cohort of subjects. Methods: Gene expression and function of the cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1) and the endocannabinoid degrading enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) have been assessed. Results: A significant decrease in CB1 mRNA levels in schizophrenia was found, without alteration of FAAH or MAGL mRNA expression. Moreover, positive correlations among mRNA expressions of the three genes studied were found in the prefrontal cortex of controls but not in schizophrenic subjects. No alteration was found in CB1 receptor mediated functional coupling to G-proteins, but a significant increase of FAAH activity was found in schizophrenic subjects compared with controls. 2-arachidonoylglycerol levels and MAGL activity were found to positively correlate in controls but not in schizophrenic subjects. Conclusions: The present findings reveal an imbalance in the expression and function of different elements of the endocannabinoid system in schizophrenia. This outcome highlights the relevance of the endocannabinoid system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and emphasises its elements as potential targets in the search for new therapeutic strategies.

scholarly journals Role of the endocannabinoid system in the mechanisms involved in the LPS-induced preterm labor

Reproduction ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 150 (6) ◽  
pp. 463-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Victoria Bariani ◽  
Ana Paula Domínguez Rubio ◽  
Maximiliano Cella ◽  
Juliana Burdet ◽  
Ana María Franchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Labor ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Preterm Births ◽  
Intrauterine Infection ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Uterine Contractions ◽  
Amide Hydrolase

Prematurity is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. There is a strong causal relationship between infection and preterm births. Intrauterine infection elicits an immune response involving the release of inflammatory mediators like cytokines and prostaglandins (PG) that trigger uterine contractions and parturition events. Anandamide (AEA) is an endogenous ligand for the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Similarly to PG, endocannabinoids are implicated in different aspects of reproduction, such as maintenance of pregnancy and parturition. Little is known about the involvement of endocannabinoids on the onset of labor in an infectious milieu. Here, using a mouse model of preterm labor induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we explored changes on the expression of components of endocannabinoid system (ECS). We have also determined whether AEA and CB antagonists alter PG production that induces labor. We observed an increase in uterineN-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D expression (NAPE-PLD, the enzyme that synthesizes AEA) upon LPS treatment. Activity of catabolic enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) did not change significantly. In addition, we also found that LPS modulated uterine cannabinoid receptors expression by downregulatingCb2mRNA levels and upregulating CB1 protein expression. Furthermore, LPS and AEA induced PGF2a augmentation, and this was reversed by antagonizing CB1 receptor. Collectively, our results suggest that ECS may be involved in the mechanism by which infection causes preterm birth.

scholarly journals The Endocannabinoid System as a Pharmacological Target for New Cancer Therapies

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 5701
Author(s):  
Robert Ramer ◽  
Felix Wittig ◽  
Burkhard Hinz
Keyword(s):  
Tumour Cell ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Preclinical Studies ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Despite the long history of cannabinoid use for medicinal and ritual purposes, an endogenous system of cannabinoid-controlled receptors, as well as their ligands and the enzymes that synthesise and degrade them, was only discovered in the 1990s. Since then, the endocannabinoid system has attracted widespread scientific interest regarding new pharmacological targets in cancer treatment among other reasons. Meanwhile, extensive preclinical studies have shown that cannabinoids have an inhibitory effect on tumour cell proliferation, tumour invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, chemoresistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and induce tumour cell apoptosis and autophagy as well as immune response. Appropriate cannabinoid compounds could moreover be useful for cancer patients as potential combination partners with other chemotherapeutic agents to increase their efficacy while reducing unwanted side effects. In addition to the direct activation of cannabinoid receptors through the exogenous application of corresponding agonists, another strategy is to activate these receptors by increasing the endocannabinoid levels at the corresponding pathological hotspots. Indeed, a number of studies accordingly showed an inhibitory effect of blockers of the endocannabinoid-degrading enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) on tumour development and spread. This review summarises the relevant preclinical studies with FAAH and MAGL inhibitors compared to studies with cannabinoids and provides an overview of the regulation of the endocannabinoid system in cancer.

Endocannabinoid System: Overview and Therapeutic Relevance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Mabou Tagne
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptor ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Receptor Subtypes ◽  
Monoacylglycerol Lipase ◽  
Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) modulates a variety of physiological processes, attracting considerable attention as a potential target for therapeutic intervention. This complex system is activated by the lipid-derived mediators anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol (2-AG), which mainly engage the cannabinoid receptor subtypes 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2). The biological actions of anandamide and 2-AG are terminated by internalization and intracellular enzymatic hydrolysis catalyzed primarily by the serine hydrolases fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL), respectively. Here, we provide an overview of ECS and discuss the implications for advancing pharmacological tools that interfere with such a system as next-generation therapeutics. This review contains 4 figures, 3 tables and 41 references Keywords: Endocannabinoid; anandamide; 2-Arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol; fatty acid amide hydrolase; monoacylglycerol lipase; cannabinoid receptors; N-acylethanolamine acid amidase; Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

scholarly journals Anandamide Activity and Degradation Are Regulated by Early Postnatal Aging and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Mouse Sertoli Cells

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Maccarrone ◽  
Sandra Cecconi ◽  
Gianna Rossi ◽  
Natalia Battista ◽  
Riccardo Pauselli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Hormonal Regulation ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptor ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Membrane Transporter ◽  
Immature Mouse ◽  
Amide Hydrolase

Abstract Anandamide (AEA), a prominent member of the endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors (endocannabinoids), is known to adversely affect female fertility. However, a potential role of AEA in male reproductive functions is unknown. Here we report evidence that immature mouse Sertoli cells have the biochemical tools to bind and inactivate AEA, i.e. a functional type-2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R), a selective AEA membrane transporter, and an AEA-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase. We show that, unlike CB2R, the activity of AEA membrane transporter and the activity and expression of FAAH decrease, whereas the apoptosis-inducing activity of AEA increases with age during the neonatal period. We also show that FSH reduces the apoptotic potential of AEA, but not that of its nonhydrolyzable analog methanandamide. Concomitantly, FSH enhances FAAH activity in a manner dependent on mRNA transcription and protein synthesis and apparently involving cAMP. These data demonstrate that Sertoli cells partake in the peripheral endocannabinoid system, and that FSH reduces the apoptotic potential of AEA by activating FAAH. Taken together, it can be suggested that the endocannabinoid network plays a role in the hormonal regulation of male fertility.

scholarly journals Characterisation and localisation of the endocannabinoid system components in the adult human testis

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Nielsen ◽  
Antoine D. Rolland ◽  
Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts ◽  
Christian Janfelt ◽  
Anne Jørgensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cells ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Human Testis ◽  
Tissue Samples

Abstract Heavy use of cannabis (marijuana) has been associated with decreased semen quality, which may reflect disruption of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the male reproductive tract by exogenous cannabinoids. Components of ECS have been previously described in human spermatozoa and in the rodent testis but there is little information on the ECS expression within the human testis. In this study we characterised the main components of the ECS by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on archived testis tissue samples from 15 patients, and by in silico analysis of existing transcriptome datasets from testicular cell populations. The presence of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the human testis was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization imaging analysis. Endocannabinoid-synthesising enzymes; diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) and N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD), were detected in germ cells and somatic cells, respectively. The cannabinoid receptors, CNR1 and CNR2 were detected at a low level in post-meiotic germ cells and Leydig- and peritubular cells. Different transcripts encoding distinct receptor isoforms (CB1, CB1A, CB1B and CB2A) were also differentially distributed, mainly in germ cells. The cannabinoid-metabolising enzymes were abundantly present; the α/β-hydrolase domain-containing protein 2 (ABHD2) in all germ cell types, except early spermatocytes, the monoacylglycerol lipase (MGLL) in Sertoli cells, and the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in late spermatocytes and post-meiotic germ cells. Our findings are consistent with a direct involvement of the ECS in regulation of human testicular physiology, including spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function. The study provides new evidence supporting observations that recreational cannabis can have possible deleterious effects on human testicular function.

Biochemical Changes in Endocannabinoid System are Expressed in Platelets of Female but not Male Migraineurs

Cephalalgia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
LM Cupini ◽  
M Bari ◽  
N Battista ◽  
G Argirò ◽  
A Finazzi-Agrò ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
International Headache Society ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Primary Headache ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Platelets ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Primary Headache Disorders

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.

scholarly journals Endocannabinoid System as a Promising Therapeutic Target in Inflammatory Bowel Disease – A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Szymon Hryhorowicz ◽  
Marta Kaczmarek-Ryś ◽  
Aleksandra Zielińska ◽  
Rodney J. Scott ◽  
Ryszard Słomski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Disease ◽  
Bowel Disease ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Unknown Etiology ◽  
Bioactive Lipids ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a general term used to describe a group of chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract of unknown etiology, including two primary forms: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in modulating many physiological processes including intestinal homeostasis, modulation of gastrointestinal motility, visceral sensation, or immunomodulation of inflammation in IBD. It consists of cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), transporters for cellular uptake of endocannabinoid ligands, endogenous bioactive lipids (Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol), and the enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation (fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase), the manipulation of which through agonists and antagonists of the system, shows a potential therapeutic role for ECS in inflammatory bowel disease. This review summarizes the role of ECS components on intestinal inflammation, suggesting the advantages of cannabinoid-based therapies in inflammatory bowel disease.

The endocannabinoid system in bull sperm and bovine oviductal epithelium: role of anandamide in sperm–oviduct interaction

Reproduction ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Gracia Gervasi ◽  
Maximiliano Rapanelli ◽  
María Laura Ribeiro ◽  
Mariana Farina ◽  
Silvia Billi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cannabinoid Receptors ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Sperm Binding ◽  
Bovine Sperm ◽  
Sperm Release ◽  
Oviductal Epithelium ◽  
Bull Sperm

Anandamide binds to cannabinoid receptors and plays several central and peripheral functions. The aim of this work was to study the possible role for this endocannabinoid in controlling sperm–oviduct interaction in mammals. We observed that bull sperm and bovine oviductal epithelial cells express cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, and fatty acid amide hydrolase, the enzyme that controls intracellular anandamide levels. A quantitative assay to determine whether anandamide was involved in bovine sperm–oviduct interaction was developed. R(+)-methanandamide, a non-hydrolysable anandamide analog, inhibited sperm binding to and induced sperm release from oviductal epithelia. Selective CB1 antagonists (SR141716A or AM251) completely blocked R(+)-methanandamide effects. However, SR144528, a selective CB2 antagonist, did not exert any effect, indicating that only CB1 was involved in R(+)-methanandamide effect. This effect was not caused by inhibition of the sperm progressive motility or by induction of the acrosome reaction. Overall, our findings indicate for the first time that the endocannabinoid system is present in bovine sperm and oviductal epithelium and that anandamide modulates the sperm–oviduct interaction, by inhibition of sperm binding and induction of sperm release from oviductal epithelial cells, probably by activating CB1 receptors.

Medial prefrontal cortex endocannabinoid system modulates baroreflex activity through CB1 receptors

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (7) ◽  
pp. R876-R885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilson C. Ferreira-Junior ◽  
Alessandra G. Fedoce ◽  
Fernando H. F. Alves ◽  
Fernando M. A. Corrêa ◽  
Leonardo B. M. Resstel
Keyword(s):  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Medial Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Glutamate Release ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Glutamatergic Neurotransmission ◽  
Glutamatergic Synapses ◽  
Amide Hydrolase

Neural reflex mechanisms, such as the baroreflex, are involved in the regulation of cardiovascular system activity. Previous results from our group (Resstel LB, Correa FM. Medial prefrontal cortex NMDA receptors and nitric oxide modulate the parasympathetic component of the baroreflex. Eur J Neurosci 23: 481–488, 2006) have shown that glutamatergic synapses in the ventral portion of the medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) modulate baroreflex activity. Moreover, glutamatergic neurotransmission in the vMPFC can be modulated by the endocannabinoids system (eCBs), particularly the endocannabinoid anandamide, through presynaptic CB1 receptor activation. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated eCBs receptors that are present in the vMPFC, and more specifically whether CB1 receptors modulate baroreflex activity. We found that bilateral microinjection of the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (100 or 300 pmol/200 nl) into the vMPFC increased baroreflex activity in unanesthetized rats. Moreover, bilateral microinjection of either the anandamide transporter inhibitor AM404 (100 pmol/200 nl) or the inhibitor of the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase that degrades anandamide, URB597 (100 pmol/200 nl), into the MPFC decreased baroreflex activity. Finally, pretreatment of the vMPFC with an ineffective dose of AM251 (10 pmol/200 nl) was able to block baroreflex effects of both AM404 and URB597. Taken together, our results support the view that the eCBs in the vMPFC is involved in the modulation of baroreflex activity through the activation of CB1 receptors, which modulate local glutamate release.

scholarly journals Elevated Brain Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Induces Depressive-Like Phenotypes in Rodent Models: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1047
Author(s):  
Dorsa Rafiei ◽  
Nathan J. Kolla
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Animal Models Of Depression ◽  
Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide

Altered activity of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme of the endocannabinoid system, has been implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). It is speculated that increased brain FAAH expression is correlated with increased depressive symptoms. The aim of this scoping review was to establish the role of FAAH expression in animal models of depression to determine the translational potential of targeting FAAH in clinical studies. A literature search employing multiple databases was performed; all original articles that assessed FAAH expression in animal models of depression were considered. Of the 216 articles that were screened for eligibility, 24 articles met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Three key findings emerged: (1) FAAH expression is significantly increased in depressive-like phenotypes; (2) genetic knockout or pharmacological inhibition of FAAH effectively reduces depressive-like behavior, with a dose-dependent effect; and (3) differences in FAAH expression in depressive-like phenotypes were largely localized to animal prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum. We conclude, based on the animal literature, that a positive relationship can be established between brain FAAH level and expression of depressive symptoms. In summary, we suggest that FAAH is a tractable target for developing novel pharmacotherapies for MDD.

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