Category Archives: Endocannabinoid System

Microinjection of orexin-A into the rat locus coeruleus nucleus induces analgesia via cannabinoid type-1 receptors.

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“Locus coeruleus (LC) nucleus is involved in noradrenergic descending pain modulation.

LC receives dense orexinergic projections from the lateral hypothalamus. Orexin-A and -B are hypothalamic peptides which modulate a variety of brain functions via orexin type-1 (OX1) and orexin type-2 (OX2) receptors.

Previous studies have shown that activation of OX1 receptors induces endocannabinoid synthesis and alters synaptic neurotransmission by retrograde signaling via affecting cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptors.

In the present study the interaction of orexin-A and endocannabinoids was examined at the LC level in a rat model of inflammatory pain…

This data show that, activation of OX1 receptors in the LC can induce analgesia and also the blockade of OX1 or CB1 receptors is associated with hyperalgesia during formalin test.

Our findings also suggest that CB1 receptors may modulate the analgesic effect of orexin-A.

These results outline a new mechanism by which orexin-A modulates the nociceptive processing in the LC nucleus.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26254729

The role of the peripheral cannabinoid system in the pathogenesis of detrusor overactivity evoked by increased intravesical osmolarity in rats.

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“The cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 are localized in the urinary bladder and play a role in the regulation of its function. We investigated the pathomechanisms through which hyperosmolarity induces detrusor overactivity (DO)…

These results demonstrate that hyperosmolar-induced DO is mediated by CB1 and CB2 receptors. Therefore, the cannabinoid pathway could potentially be a target for the treatment of urinary bladder dysfunction.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26243021

Cannabis, Cannabinoids, and Cerebral Metabolism: Potential Applications in Stroke and Disorders of the Central Nervous System.

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“No compound has generated more attention in both the scientific and recently in the political arena as much as cannabinoids.

These diverse groups of compounds referred collectively as cannabinoids have both been vilified due to its dramatic and potentially harmful psychotropic effects and glorified due to its equally dramatic and potential application in a number of acute and chronic neurological conditions.

Previously illegal to possess, cannabis, the plant where natural form of cannabinoids are derived, is now accepted in a growing number of states for medicinal purpose, and some even for recreational use, increasing opportunities for more scientific experimentation.

The purpose of this review is to summarize the growing body of literature on cannabinoids and to present an overview of our current state of knowledge of the human endocannabinoid system in the hope of defining the future of cannabinoids and its potential applications in disorders of the central nervous system, focusing on stroke.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26238742

Cannabinoids: is there a potential treatment role in epilepsy?

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“Cannabinoids have been used medicinally for centuries, and in the last decade, attention has focused on their broad therapeutic potential particularly in seizure management.

While some cannabinoids have demonstrated anticonvulsant activity in experimental studies, their efficacy for managing clinical seizures has not been fully established.

This commentary will touch on our understanding of the brain endocannabinoid system’s regulation of synaptic transmission in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions, and review the findings from both experimental and clinical studies on the effectiveness of cannabinoids to suppress epileptic seizures.

At present, there is preliminary evidence that non-psychoactive cannabinoids may be useful as anticonvulsants, but additional clinical trials are needed to fully evaluate the efficacy and safety of these compounds for the treatment of epilepsy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26234319

Novel Triazolopyrimidine-Derived Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Agonists As Potential Treatment for Inflammatory Kidney Diseases.

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“The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) system is described to modulate various pathological conditions, including inflammation and fibrosis.

A series of new heterocyclic small-molecule CB2 receptor agonists were identified from a high-throughput screen…

A significant depletion of the three measured kidney markers indicated a protective role of CB2 receptor activation toward inflammatory kidney damage. Compound 39 was also protective in a model of renal fibrosis.

Oral treatment with 39 at 3 mg kg-1 per day significantly decreased the amount of fibrosis by ∼40 % which was induced by unilateral ureter obstruction.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26228928

ACEA (a highly selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist) stimulates hippocampal neurogenesis in mice treated with antiepileptic drugs.

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“Hippocampal neurogenesis plays a very important role in learning and memory functions.

In a search for best neurological drugs that protect neuronal cells and stimulate neurogenesis with no side effects, cannabinoids proved to be a strong group of substances having many beneficial properties.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ACEA (arachidonyl-2′-chloroethylamide – a highly selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist) combined with a classical antiepileptic drug sodium valproate (VPA) on neural precursor cells’ proliferation and differentiation in the mouse brain.

VPA administered alone decreased the number of newly born neurons with no significant impact on neurogenesis.

These data provide substantial evidence that VPA administered chronically slightly decreases the proliferation and differentiation of newly born cells while combination of VPA+ACEA significantly increases the level of newborn neurons in the dentate subgranular zone.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26225920

The levels of the endocannabinoid receptor CB2 and its ligand 2-arachidonoylglycerol are elevated in endometrial carcinoma.

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“The endocannabinoid system plays protective roles against the growth and the spreading of several types of carcinomas.

Because estrogens regulate this system both in physiological states and cancer, in this paper we evaluated its involvement in endometrial carcinoma, a well-known estrogen-dependent tumor.

In conclusion, the endocannabinoid system seems to play an important role in human endometrial carcinoma, and modulation of CB(2) activity/expression may account for a tumor-suppressive effect.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20133454

https://academic.oup.com/endo/article/151/3/921/2456492

Endocannabinoid Signaling in Autism.

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“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.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26216231#

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/autism/

COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF PARATHION AND CHLORPYRIFOS ON ENDOCANNABINOID AND ENDOCANNABINOID-LIKE LIPID METABOLITES IN RAT STRIATUM.

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“Parathion and chlorpyrifos are organophosphorus insecticides (OPs) that elicit acute toxicity by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE).

The endocannabinoids (eCBs, N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA; 2-arachidonoylglycerol, 2AG) are endogenous neuromodulators that regulate presynaptic neurotransmitter release in neurons throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Differential changes in extracellular and/or tissue levels of eCBs and eCBLs could potentially influence a number of signaling pathways and contribute to selective neurological changes following acute OP intoxications.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26215119

Cannabidiol is a negative allosteric modulator of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor.

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“Cannabidiol has been reported to act as an antagonist of cannabinoid agonists at type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1 ).

We hypothesized that cannabidiol can inhibit cannabinoid agonist activity through negative allosteric modulation of CB1…

Cannabidiol behaved as a non-competitive negative allosteric modulator of CB1 .

Allosteric modulation, in conjunction with non-CB1 effects, may explain the in vivo effects of cannabidiol.

Allosteric modulators of CB1 have the potential to treat central nervous system and peripheral disorders while avoiding the adverse effects associated with orthosteric agonism or antagonism of CB1.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26218440