endocannabinoid – Society of Cannabis Clinicians https://www.cannabisclinicians.org Educating Healthcare Professionals about the Medical Use of Cannabis Mon, 02 Oct 2023 21:10:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.3 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-scc-flavicon-32x32.png endocannabinoid – Society of Cannabis Clinicians https://www.cannabisclinicians.org 32 32 Labour and premature delivery differentially affect the expression of the endocannabinoid system in the human placenta https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/10/02/labour-and-premature-delivery-differentially-affect-the-expression-of-the-endocannabinoid-system-in-the-human-placenta/ Mon, 02 Oct 2023 21:10:10 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=29333 Plasma concentrations of N-arachidonyletholamine (AEA), N-oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) increase at term and can predict when a woman is likely to go into labour. We hypothesised that increased plasma AEA concentrations in women in preterm and term labour might also be increased and have a function in the placenta at the end of pregnancy. Here we examined the expression of the N-acylethanolamine-modulating enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and N-acyl-phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase-D (NAPE-PLD) and of the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) in the placenta and their activation in an in vitro model of the third-trimester placenta to determine if those expressions change with labour and have functional significance. Expression of CB1, CB2, FAAH and NAPE-PLD was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RT-qPCR in placental samples obtained from four patient groups: preterm not in labour (PTNL), term not in labour (TNL), preterm in labour (PTL) and term in labour (TL). Additionally, the effects of AEA on a third-trimester human cell line (TCL-1) were evaluated. All ECS components were present in the third-trimester placenta, with NAPE-PLD and CB2 being the key modulated proteins in terms of expression. Functionally, AEA reduced TCL-1 cell numbers through the actions of the CB2 receptor whilst CB1 maintained placental integrity through the expression of the transcription regulators histone deacetylase 3, thyroid hormone receptor β 1 and the modulation of 5α reductase type 1. The placenta in the third trimester and at term is different from the placenta in the first trimester with respect to the expression of CB1, CB2, FAAH and NAPE-PLD, and the expression of these proteins is affected by labour. These data suggest that early perturbation of some ECS components in the placenta may cause AEA-induced PTL and thus PTB.

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]]> Pharmacological blockade of 2-AG degradation ameliorates clinical, neuroinflammatory and synaptic alterations in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/09/23/pharmacological-blockade-of-2-ag-degradation-ameliorates-clinical-neuroin0ammatory-and-synaptic-alterations-in-experimental-autoimmune-encephalomyelitis/ Sat, 23 Sep 2023 14:24:38 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=29271 The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is critically involved in the pathophysiology of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Over the past decade, the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of the ECS have been studied, and inhibiting the degradation of the endocannabinoid 2-arachydonoylglycerol (2-AG) is emerging as a promising strategy to counteract brain damage in MS. In this study, a systemic and preventive in vivo treatment with MAGLi 432, the reversible inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGLi), was performed in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice. Clinical, biochemical, electrophysiological and immunofluorescence analyses were carried out to evaluate the impact of the drug on motor disability, neuroinflammation and synaptic damage. MAGLi 432 induced a less severe EAE disease, accompanied by an increase of 2-AG and a reduction of acid arachidonic (AA) and prostaglandins (PGs) brain levels.

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]]> Modulation of pulmonary immune function by inhaled cannabis products and consequences for lung disease https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2023/04/02/modulation-of-pulmonary-immune-function-by-inhaled-cannabis-products-and-consequences-for-lung-disease/ Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:07:26 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=28282 The lungs, in addition to participating in gas exchange, represent the first line of defense against inhaled pathogens and respiratory toxicants. Cells lining the airways and alveoli include epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages, the latter being resident innate immune cells important in surfactant recycling, protection against bacterial invasion and modulation of lung immune homeostasis. Environmental exposure to toxicants found in cigarette smoke, air pollution and cannabis can alter the number and function of immune cells in the lungs. Cannabis (marijuana) is a plant-derived product that is typically inhaled in the form of smoke from a joint. However, alternative delivery methods such as vaping, which heats the plant without combustion, are becoming more common. Cannabis use has increased in recent years, coinciding with more countries legalizing cannabis for both recreational and medicinal purposes. Cannabis may have numerous health benefits owing to the presence of cannabinoids that dampen immune function and therefore tame inflammation that is associated with chronic diseases such as arthritis.

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]]> Endocannabinoid Metabolism and Traumatic Brain Injury https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2021/11/29/endocannabinoid-metabolism-and-traumatic-brain-injury/ Mon, 29 Nov 2021 23:25:28 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=25299 Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major cause of morbidity and disability and is a risk factor for developing neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, no effective therapies are currently available for TBI-induced AD-like disease. Endocannabinoids are endogenous lipid mediators involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. The compound 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is the most abundant endocannabinoid with profound anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.

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]]> cAMP Signaling–Mediated Phosphorylation of Diacylglycerol Lipase α Regulates Interaction With Ankyrin-G and Dendritic Spine Morphology https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2021/07/08/camp-signaling-mediated-phosphorylation-of-diacylglycerol-lipase-%ce%b1-regulates-interaction-with-ankyrin-g-and-dendritic-spine-morphology/ Thu, 08 Jul 2021 20:24:59 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=23652 Diacylglycerol lipase α (DAGLα), a major biosynthetic enzyme for endogenous cannabinoid signaling, has emerged as a risk gene in multiple psychiatric disorders. However, its role in the regulation of dendritic spine plasticity is unclear.

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]]> The endocannabinoidome as a substrate for noneuphoric phytocannabinoid action and gut microbiome dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/2020/10/06/the-endocannabinoidome-as-a-substrate-for-noneuphoric-phytocannabinoid-action-and-gut-microbiome-dysfunction-in-neuropsychiatric-disorders/ Tue, 06 Oct 2020 07:40:03 +0000 https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/?p=19870 Authors: Vincenzo Di Marzo, PhD Published in DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020 Abstract The endocannabinoid (eCB) system encompasses the eCBs anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, their anabolic/catabolic enzymes, and the cannabinoid CB1...

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