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.

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.

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 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.

Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Inhibitors from Virtual Screening of the Endocannabinoid System

2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (15) ◽  
pp. 4650-4656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna M. Saario ◽  
Antti Poso ◽  
Risto O. Juvonen ◽  
Tomi Järvinen ◽  
Outi M. H. Salo-Ahen
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Virtual Screening ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide

scholarly journals Equipotent Inhibition of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Monoacylglycerol Lipase – Dual Targets of the Endocannabinoid System to Protect against Seizure Pathology

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 801-813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinogran Naidoo ◽  
David A. Karanian ◽  
Subramanian K. Vadivel ◽  
Johnathan R. Locklear ◽  
JodiAnne T. Wood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
Monoacylglycerol Lipase ◽  
Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide

scholarly journals UPLC-MS/MS Method for Analysis of Endocannabinoid and Related Lipid Metabolism in Mouse Mucosal Tissue

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark B. Wiley ◽  
Pedro A. Perez ◽  
Donovan A. Argueta ◽  
Bryant Avalos ◽  
Courtney P. Wood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase ◽  
Acid Amide ◽  
Endocannabinoid System ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mucosal Tissues ◽  
Degradative Enzymes ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Amide Hydrolase

The endocannabinoid system is expressed in cells throughout the body and controls a variety of physiological and pathophysiological functions. We describe robust and reproducible UPLC-MS/MS-based methods for analyzing metabolism of the endocannabinoids, 2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycerol and arachidonoyl ethanolamide, and related monoacylglycerols (MAGs) and fatty acid ethanolamides (FAEs), respectively, in mouse mucosal tissues (i.e., intestine and lung). These methods are optimized for analysis of activity of the MAG biosynthetic enzyme, diacylglycerol lipase (DGL), and MAG degradative enzymes, monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) and alpha/beta hydrolase domain containing-6 (ABHD6). Moreover, we describe a novel UPLC-MS/MS-based method for analyzing activity of the FAE degradative enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), that does not require use of radioactive substrates. In addition, we describe in vivo pharmacological methods to inhibit MAG biosynthesis selectively in the mouse small-intestinal epithelium. These methods will be useful for profiling endocannabinoid metabolism in rodent mucosal tissues in health and disease.

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.

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