Search results for "endocannabinoid"

Tricks and Tracks in the Identification and Quantification of Endocannabinoids

2013

Abstract The endocannabinoid system serves pivotal roles in a diverse range of physiological and pathophysiological states, including behavior, pain, schizophrenia, obesity, Alzheimer disease, multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease. A number of endocannabinoids (eCBs) and their receptors have been characterised and identified in a plethora of biological matrices. The eCBs include N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (anandamide), 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, 2-arachidonoyl glyceryl ether (noladin ether), O-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (virodhamine) and N-arachidonoyl dopamine. Advanced targeted mass spectrometry methods, particularly the selected reaction monitoring, has facilitated sensitive quanti…

P4140Myeloid but not endothelial expression of the CB2 receptor promotes atherogenesis in the context of elevated levels of the endocannabinoid 2-ara…

2019

Abstract Background The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is an inflammatory mediator and ligand to the cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, which are expressed on myeloid and endothelial cells. 2-AG has recently been described to promote atherogenesis in ApoE-deficient mice. While the CB2 receptor has previously been considered to solely exert anti-inflammatory and atheroprotective effects, newer data have raised the notion, that CB2 might exert atherogenic effects in the context of elevated 2-AG plasma levels. In the present study, we investigated the atherogenic mechanisms of 2-AG and the role of the CB2 receptor on myeloid and endothelial cells in atherogenesis using cell-spec…

Acetaldehyde as a drug of abuse: Involvement of endocannabinoid- and dopamine neurotransmission

2014

Acetaldehyde (ACD), the first metabolite of ethanol, directly enhances dopamine neurotransmission (1) and has rewarding and motivational properties in paradigms tailored for studying addictive-like behaviours (2, 3). The endocannabinoid system affects distinct drug-related behaviours, since it may in turn fine-tune dopamine cell activity (4, 5). In light of this, the present study aimed at investigating the effects of a direct manipulation of the DAergic synapse, and the contribution of the endocannabinoid system on oral ACD self-administration in rats. ACD drinking-behaviour was evaluated in an operant paradigm consisting of acquisition and maintenance; extinction; deprivation and relapse;…

Role of endocannabinoids and TRPV1 channels in the bioelectric activity of hippocampal neurons

It has been reported that endocannabinoid system is an important player in the regulation of neuronal bioelectrical activity, relying on receptor-mediated mechanisms. Amongst these, Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1r) and Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) are both modulated by endocannabinoids, involved in the transduction of stimuli in the pre-synaptic neuron and prompt downstream pathways in the post-synaptic neuron. To investigate the role of CB1r/TRPV1 interplay, we applied whole-cell patch clamp technique to visualize the eventual variations in terms of membrane current and action potentials induced by pharmacological manipulation in rat hippocampal neurons. We modul…

The Epigenetics of the Endocannabinoid System

2020

The endocannabinoid system (ES) is a cell-signalling system widely distributed in biological tissues that includes endogenous ligands, receptors, and biosynthetic and hydrolysing machineries. The impairment of the ES has been associated to several pathological conditions like behavioural, neurological, or metabolic disorders and infertility, suggesting that the modulation of this system may be critical for the maintenance of health status and disease treatment. Lifestyle and environmental factors can exert long-term effects on gene expression without any change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA, affecting health maintenance and influencing both disease load and resistance. This potentially …

Modulation of the Endocannabinoids N-Arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) on Executive Functions in Human.

2013

Animal studies point to an implication of the endocannabinoid system on executive functions. In humans, several studies have suggested an association between acute or chronic use of exogenous cannabinoids (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and executive impairments. However, to date, no published reports establish the relationship between endocannabinoids, as biomarkers of the cannabinoid neurotransmission system, and executive functioning in humans. The aim of the present study was to explore the association between circulating levels of plasma endocannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and executive functions (decision making, response inhibition and cognit…

Age-related changes in the endocannabinoid system in the mouse hippocampus.

2015

Previous studies have demonstrated that the endocannabinoid system significantly influences the progression of brain ageing, and the hippocampus is one of the brain regions most vulnerable to ageing and neurodegeneration. We have further examined age-related changes in the hippocampal endocannabinoid system by measuring the levels of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in young and old mice from two different mouse strains. We found a decrease in 2-AG but not AEA levels in aged mice. In order to identify the cause for 2-AG level changes, we investigated the levels of several enzymes that contribute to synthesis and degradation of 2-AG in the hippocampus. We found a selective …

Hardwiring the Brain: Endocannabinoids Shape Neuronal Connectivity

2007

The roles of endocannabinoid signaling during central nervous system development are unknown. We report that CB 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB 1 Rs) are enriched in the axonal growth cones of γ-aminobutyric acid–containing (GABAergic) interneurons in the rodent cortex during late gestation. Endocannabinoids trigger CB 1 R internalization and elimination from filopodia and induce chemorepulsion and collapse of axonal growth cones of these GABAergic interneurons by activating RhoA. Similarly, endocannabinoids diminish the galvanotropism of Xenopus laevis spinal neurons. These findings, together with the impaired target selection of cortical GABAergic interneurons lacking CB 1 Rs, identify endoc…

CB1 Cannabinoid Receptors and Aggression

2016

Abstract The relation between the use of cannabis and violent behavior is controversial, partly owing to the complexity of the concept of aggression and variability among the studies performed. The primary psychoactive compound of cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, acts on G-protein-coupled receptors such as the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor, the most important of the endocannabinoid system. Although historically suspected of instigating aggressive behaviors, the findings of research about cannabis use in humans are mixed. While cannabis intoxication seems to reduce the likelihood of violence, mounting evidence associates withdrawal with an increase in aggression. Acute or chronic canna…

Exercise, the endocannabinoid system and metabolic health

2013

As obesity and associated metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, are becoming one of the most serious health problems worldwide, development of effective therapies is a high priority. In the search for treatments, the recently discovered endocannabinoid system (ECS) has begun to garner attention, and a wealth of research is now focusing on this unique neuromodulatory system named after the plant that led to its discovery. The ECS consists of G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), their endogenous lipid-derived ligands (endocannabinoids, N-arachidonoylethanolamine, named anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG)) and the enzymes for ligand syn…