Identification of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in the human placenta.

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“Synthetic cannabinoids, the psychoactive components of the Cannabis sativa (marijuana) and their endogenous counterparts, act through two G protein-coupled receptors, CB1 and CB2.

The endocannabinoids are metabolized by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).

We have examined CB1 receptor and FAAH expression in human term placenta by immunohistochemistry.

CB1 receptor was found to be present in all layers of the membrane, with particularly strong expression in the amniotic epithelium and reticular cells and cells of the maternal decidua layer. Moderate expression was observed in the chorionic cytotrophoblasts. The expression of FAAH was the highest in amniotic epithelial cells, chorionic cytotrophoblast and maternal decidua layer.

Our results suggest that the human placenta is a likely target for cannabinoid action and metabolism. ”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12744923

A common variation in the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CNR1) gene is associated with pre-eclampsia in the Central European population.

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“Recently it has been proposed that tightly regulated levels of endogenous cannabinoids play a fundamental role in early placental development.

The aim of this study was to investigate associations of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CNR1) gene (rs1049353, rs12720071 and rs806368) and their inferred haplotypes with pre-eclampsia, a severe pregnancy-associated condition characterized by abnormal development and remodeling of spiral decidual arteries…

This is the first study focusing on the relationship between SNPs in the CNR1 gene and pre-eclampsia risk.

Although limited by a relatively small sample size, the study indicates that rs806368 in the CNR1 gene may act as a susceptibility marker for pre-eclampsia in humans.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21129839

Differential expression of endocannabinoid system in normal and preeclamptic placentas: effects on nitric oxide synthesis.

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“Anandamide (AEA) is a lipid mediator that participates in the regulation of several reproductive functions.

This study investigated the endocannabinoid system in normal (NP) and preeclamptic (PE) placentas, and analyzed the potential functional role of AEA in the regulation of nitric oxide synthesis…

These data suggest that AEA may be one of the factors involved in the regulation of NOS activity in normal and preeclamptic placental villous.

Interestingly, the differential expression of NAPE-PLD and FAAH suggests that AEA could play an important role in the pathophysiology of PE.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23122699

Decreased circulating anandamide levels in preeclampsia.

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“The endocannabinoid system has a key role in female reproduction, including implantation, decidualization and placentation. A growing number of studies indicate that placental and peripheral blood anandamide levels correlate closely with both spontaneous miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy.

Anandamide has also been implicated in blood pressure regulation.

In this study, we aimed to determine circulating anandamide levels in preeclampsia for the first time in the literature…

In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time in the literature that serum anandamide concentrations are decreased in women with preeclampsia.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25716652

Emerging targets and therapeutic approaches for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain.

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“Osteoarthritis is a complex and often painful disease that is inadequately controlled with current analgesics. This review discusses emerging targets and therapeutic approaches that may lead to the development of better analgesics…

Aberrant excitability in peripheral and central pain pathways drives osteoarthritis pain, reversing this via modulation of nerve growth factor, voltage-gated sodium channel, voltage-gated calcium channel and transient receptor potential vanilloid one activity, and increasing inhibitory mechanisms through modulation of cannabinoid and descending modulatory systems hold promise for osteoarthritis pain therapy.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25730180

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

 

Modulation of sweet taste sensitivities by endogenous leptin and endocannabinoids in mice.

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“Leptin is an anorexigenic mediator that reduces food intake by acting on hypothalamic receptor, Ob-Rb. In contrast, endocannabinoids are orexigenic mediators that act via cannabinoid CB1 receptors in hypothalamus, limbic forebrain, and brainstem.

In the peripheral taste system, leptin administration selectively inhibits behavioral, taste nerve and taste cell responses to sweet compounds. Opposing the action of leptin, endocannabinoids enhance sweet taste responses.

Taken together, our results suggest that circulating leptin, but not local endocannabinoids, may be a dominant modulator for sweet taste in lean mice; however, endocannabinoids may become more effective modulators of sweet taste under conditions of deficient leptin signaling, possibly due to increased production of endocannabinoids in taste tissue.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25728242

Hebrew U. Researchers Find Cannabis Can Strengthen Bones

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Arutz Sheva

“Researchers at Hebrew University have found that extracts from the cannabis plant can help strengthen human bones, preventing osteoporosis, according to an Israel21c report.”

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/96146#.VPH1lE33-ix

“Peripheral cannabinoid receptor, CB2, regulates bone mass… These results demonstrate that the endocannabinoid system is essential for the maintenance of normal bone mass by osteoblastic and osteoclastic CB2 signaling. Hence, CB2 offers a molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, the most prevalent degenerative disease in developed countries.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1334629/

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/osteoporosis-2/

Peripheral cannabinoid receptor, CB2, regulates bone mass.

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“Here we show that CB2-deficient mice have a markedly accelerated age-related trabecular bone loss and cortical expansion, although cortical thickness remains unaltered.

These changes are reminiscent of human osteoporosis and may result from differential regulation of trabecular and cortical bone remodeling…

These results demonstrate that the endocannabinoid system is essential for the maintenance of normal bone mass by osteoblastic and osteoclastic CB2 signaling.

Hence, CB2 offers a molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, the most prevalent degenerative disease in developed countries.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1334629/

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/osteoporosis-2/

 

Cannabinoid receptor type 1 protects against age-related osteoporosis by regulating osteoblast and adipocyte differentiation in marrow stromal cells.

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X-ray generic

“Age-related osteoporosis is characterized by reduced bone formation and accumulation of fat in the bone marrow compartment.

Here, we report that the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) regulates this process…

The CB1 receptor is therefore unique in that it regulates peak bone mass through an effect on osteoclast activity, but protects against age-related bone loss by regulating adipocyte and osteoblast differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells.”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19656492

“Cannabis may prevent osteoporosis”  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8199007.stm

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/osteoporosis-2/

Marijuana: A Time-Honored but Untested Treatment for Epilepsy.

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“The biology of the endocannabinoid system in the brain provides a possible basis for a beneficial pharmacological effect of marijuana on seizures.

However, evidence for efficacy of cannabis treatment of epilepsy is anecdotal because no acceptable randomized controlled trials have been done.

Proper dosage and means of administration remain unknown.

Cannabis is safer than other controlled substances, including tobacco or alcohol, and appears to be relatively safe compared with most pharmaceuticals used to treat epilepsy.”

 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25715711

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/epilepsy-2/