Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Cannabinoids”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources

Cannabinoid receptor signaling.

The cannabinoid receptor family currently includes two types: CB1, characterized in neuronal cells and brain, and CB2, characterized in immune cells and tissues. CB1 and CB2 receptors are members of the superfamily of seven-transmembrane-spanning (7-TM) receptors, having a protein structure defined by an array of seven membrane-spanning helices with intervening intracellular loops and a C-terminal domain that can associate with G proteins. Cannabinoid receptors are associated with G proteins of the Gi/o family (Gi1, 2 and 3, and Go1 and 2). Signal transduction via Gi inhibits adenylyl cyclase in most tissues and cells, although signaling via Gs stimulates adenylyl cyclase in some experimental models. Evidence exists for cannabinoid receptor-mediated Ca2+ fluxes and stimulation of phospholipases A and C. Stimulation of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors leads to phosphorylation and activation of p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38 MAPK and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) as signaling pathways to regulate nuclear transcription factors. The CB1 receptor regulates K+ and Ca2+ ion channels, probably via Go. Ion channel regulation serves as an important component of neurotransmission modulation by endogenous cannabinoid compounds released in response to neuronal depolarization. Cannabinoid receptor signaling via G proteins results from interactions with the second, third and fourth intracellular loops of the receptor. Desensitization of signal transduction pathways that couple through the G proteins probably entails phosphorylation of critical amino acid residues on these intracellular surfaces.

Animals↗

Molecular biology of cannabinoid receptors.

To date, two cannabinoid receptors have been isolated by molecular cloning. The CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are members of the G protein-coupled receptor family. There is also evidence for additional cannabinoid receptor subtypes. The CB1 and CB2 receptors recognize endogenous and exogenous cannabinoid compounds, which fall into five structurally diverse classes. Mutagenesis and molecular modeling studies have identified several key amino acid residues involved in the selective recognition of these ligands. Numerous residues involved in receptor activation have been elucidated. Regions of the CB1 receptor mediating desensitization and internalization have also been discovered. The known genetic structures of the CB1 and CB2 receptors indicate polymorphisms and multiple exons that maybe involved in tissue and species-specific regulation of these genes. The cannabinoid receptors are regulated during chronic agonist exposure, and gene expression is altered in disease states. There is a complex molecular architecture of the cannabinoid receptors that allows a single receptor to recognize multiple classes of compounds and produce an array of distinct downstream effects.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cannabinoid CB1-mediated inhibition of stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats.

The effect of cannabinoid drugs (i.p.) on cold/restraint stress-induced gastric ulcers was studied in rats. The cannabinoid receptor agonist (WIN 55,212-2, 0.1-1 mg/kg), but not the less active isomer WIN 55,212-3 (1 mg/kg), reduced gastric ulceration. The protective effect of WIN 55,212-2 (1 mg/kg) was counteracted by the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A, but not by the cannabinoid CB2 receptor antagonist SR144528. These results indicate that the antiulcer effect of the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 is mediated by cannabinoid CB1 receptors.

Animals↗

Molecular mechanisms involved in the asymmetric interaction between cannabinoid and opioid systems.

The aim of this work was to study the mechanism of cross-modulation between cannabinoid and opioid systems for analgesia during acute and chronic exposure. Acute coadministration of ineffectual subanalgesic doses of the synthetic cannabinoid CP-55,940 (0.2 mg/kg i.p.) and morphine (2.5 mg/kg i.p.) resulted in significant antinociception. In chronic studies, a low dose of CP-55,940 (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) that per se did not induce analgesia in naive animals produced a significant degree of antinociception in rats made tolerant to morphine, whereas in rats made tolerant to CP-55,940, morphine challenge did not produce any analgesic response. To identify the mechanism of these asymmetric interactions during chronic treatment, we investigated the functional activity of cannabinoid and mu opioid receptors and their effects on the cyclic AMP (cAMP) cascade. Autoradiographic-binding studies indicated a slight but significant reduction in cannabinoid receptor levels in the hippocampus and cerebellum of morphine-tolerant rats, whereas CP-55,940-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding showed a significant decrease in receptor/G protein coupling in the limbic area. In CP-55,940 exposed rats, mu opioid receptor binding was significantly raised in the lateral thalamus and periaqueductal gray (PAG), with an increase in DAMGO-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding in the nucleus accumbens. Finally, we tested the cAMP system's responsiveness to the cannabinoid and opioid in the striatum and dorsal mesencephalon. In vivo chronic morphine did not affect CP-55,940's ability to inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP production in vitro and actually induced sensitization in striatal membranes. In contrast, in vivo chronic CP-55,940 desensitized DAMGO's efficacy in inhibiting forskolin-stimulated cAMP production in vitro. The alterations to the cAMP system seem to mirror the behavioral responses, indicating that the two systems may interact at the postreceptor level. This might open up new therapeutic opportunities for relief of chronic pain through cannabinoid-opioid coadministration.

Animals↗

Cannabinoid receptors and reward in the rat: a conditioned place preference study.

RATIONALE: We wished to investigate further the hypothesis of an endogenous cannabinoid 'aversive counter-rewarding system, as the rewarding properties of cannabinoids using standard procedures remain ambiguous. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to confirm the behavioural effects of a highly potent synthetic cannabinoid agonist (HU210) and the selective cannabinoid antagonist SR 141716A using conditioned place preference (CPP). METHODS: HU210 (20, 60 and 100 microg kg(-1), SR141716A (0.25, 0.5, 2 and 3 mg kg(-1)), cocaine (15 mg kg(-1) and delta9-THC (1.5 mg kg(-1)) were given to male Lister hooded rats using an unbiased CPP design. RESULTS: SR141716A and cocaine produced place preference at all doses tested, whereas HU210 and delta9-THC produced aversion as expressed by time spent in the drug-paired compartment of the CPP apparatus. CONCLUSIONS: The aversive effects of cannabinoid agonists and the rewarding effect of the cannabinoid antagonist are suggestive of a cannabinergic tone in the rat brain. Further research is needed to determine the precise relationship of that tone with the reward pathways of the brain.

Animals↗

Anandamide induces overeating: mediation by central cannabinoid (CB1) receptors.

RATIONALE: Central cannabinoid systems have been implicated in appetite regulation by the respective hyperphagic actions of exogenous cannabinoids, such as delta9-THC, and hypophagic effects of selective cannabinoid receptor antagonists. OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether an endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, could induce overeating, via a specific action at central (CB1) cannabinoid receptors. METHODS: Pre-satiated male rats (n=18), received subcutaneous injections of anandamide (0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg) before 3-h, nocturnal food intake tests. In a second series of intake tests (n=8), anandamide injection (1.0 mg/kg) was preceded by injection of the specific CB1 receptor antagonist, SR141716 (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg SC). RESULTS: All doses of anandamide induced significant overeating, with 1.0 mg/kg being most potent. Additionally, hyperphagia induced by 1.0 mg/kg anandamide was dose-dependently attenuated by SR141716 pretreatment. CONCLUSION: This first demonstration of anandamide-induced, CB -mediated, overeating provides important evidence for the involvement of a central cannabinoid system in the normal control of eating.

Animals↗

Changes in rat brain cannabinoid binding sites after acute or chronic exposure to their endogenous agonist, anandamide, or to delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol.

A brain constituent, the N-amide derivative of arachidonic acid, termed anandamide, has been recently proposed as a possible endogenous ligand for the cannabinoid receptor. The present study has been designed to examine whether the acute or chronic exposure to anandamide affected the binding of cannabinoid receptors in specific brain areas as occurred with the exogenous cannabinoid agonist, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). To this end, we measured the maximum binding capacity (Bmax) and the affinity (Kd) of cannabinoid receptors, by using [3H]CP-55,940 binding assays, in membranes obtained from several brain areas of male rats acutely or chronically treated with anandamide or THC. Results were as follows. The acute administration of either anandamide or THC increased the Bmax of cannabinoid receptors in the cerebellum and, particularly, in the hippocampus. This effect was also observed after 5 days of a daily exposure to either anandamide or THC. However, whereas the increase in the Bmax after the acute treatment seems to be caused by changes in the receptor affinity (high Kd), the increase after the chronic exposure may be attributed to an increase in the density of receptors. On the contrary, the [3H]CP-55,940 binding to cannabinoid receptors in the striatum, the limbic forebrain, the mesencephalon, and the medial basal hypothalamus was not altered after the acute exposure to anandamide or THC. However, the chronic exposure to THC significantly decreased the Bmax of these receptors in the striatum and nonsignificantly in the mesencephalon. This effect was not elicited after the chronic exposure to anandamide and was not accompanied by changes in the Kd.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analgesics↗

Cannabinoid receptors in developing rats: detection of mRNA and receptor binding.

Despite a large body of research directed at assessing the effects of perinatal cannabinoid exposure, little is known about the development of the cannabinoid receptor. Recent advances, including the cloning of the cannabinoid receptor, have afforded us the opportunity to plot the postnatal ontogeny of the cannabinoid receptor and its mRNA in whole brain using the methods of receptor binding and RNA blot hybridization, respectively. Our results indicate that cannabinoid receptor mRNA is present at adult levels as early as postnatal day 3. The Bmax, on the other hand, increases almost fifty percent with increasing postnatal age, while the affinity does not change. The Hill coefficients for all ages studied were approximately 1. These findings suggest the possibility of a developmental progression for cannabinoid receptor development with receptor mRNA appearing first, followed by a period of rapid proliferation of the receptors themselves.

Aging↗

Characterization of the pharmacology of imidazolidinedione derivatives at cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors.

The pharmacology of 3-(2-ethylmorpholino)-5,5'-di(p-bromophenyl)-imidazolidinedione (DML20), 3-(1-hydroxypropyl)-5,5'-di(p-bromophenyl)-imidazolidinedione (DML21) and 3-heptyl-5,5'-di(p-bromophenyl)-imidazolidinedione (DML23) was extended by studying affinity and GTP binding modulation on cannabinoid receptor subtypes (CB1 and CB2) from rat tissues and human cannabinoid receptors expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. Competitive binding studies indicated that DML20, DML21 and DML23 are selective ligands for cannabinoid CB1 receptors. In rat cerebellum homogenates, DML20, DML21 and DML23 were unable to influence [35S]GTPgammaS binding but competitively inhibit HU 210-induced [35S]GTPgammaS binding (pKB of 6.11 +/- 0.14, 6.25 +/- 0.06 and 5.74 +/- 0.09, respectively), indicating that they act as cannabinoid CB1 receptor neutral antagonists. However, in CHO cells homogenates expressing selectively either human cannabinoid CB1 or CB2 receptors, they behaved as inverse agonists decreasing the [35S]GTPgammaS binding, with similar efficacy. In conclusion, these derivatives exhibit different activities (neutral antagonism and inverse agonism) in the different models of cannabinoid receptors studied.

Animals↗

Distribution of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) on sensory nerve fibers and adnexal structures in human skin.

BACKGROUND: Cannabinoid receptors mediate the psychopharmacological action of marijuana and have been localized in the central and peripheral nervous system as well as on cells of the immune system. OBJECTIVE: Up to now, two cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) have been cloned and recent studies on animal tissue gave evidence for the presence of cannabinoid receptors in the skin. METHODS: In the present immunohistochemical investigation we determined the precise localization of CB1 and CB2 in sections of human skin and in one case of mastocytosis. RESULTS: CB1 and CB2 immunoreactivity was observed in cutaneous nerve fiber bundles, mast cells, macrophages, epidermal keratinocytes, and the epithelial cells of hair follicles, sebocytes and eccrine sweat glands. In epidermal keratinocytes, hair follicle and sebaceous glands, CB1 and CB2 were distributed in a complementary fashion. Double-immunostaining with an anti-CGRP antibody suggested the presence of cannabinoid receptors on small afferent peptidergic nerves. CONCLUSION: The abundant distribution of cannabinoid receptors on skin nerve fibers and mast cells provides implications for an anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive action of cannabinoid receptor agonists and suggests their putatively broad therapeutic potential.

Animals↗

Cannabinoids blocks tactile allodynia in diabetic mice without attenuation of its antinociceptive effect.

Diabetic neuropathic pain is one of the most commonly encountered neuropathic pain syndromes. However, the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain is challenging because of partial effectiveness of currently available pain relievers. It is well known that diabetic animals are less sensitive to the analgesic effect of morphine, and opioids are found to be ineffective in the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain. Cannabinoids are promising drugs and they share a similar pharmacological properties with opioids. It has been reported that cannabinoid analgesia remained intact and to be effective in some models of nerve injury. Thus, we investigated antinociceptive efficacy and the effects of cannabinoids on behavioral sign of diabetic neuropathic pain in diabetic mice by using WIN 55, 212-2, a cannabinoid receptor agonist. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) (200mg/kg) and animals were tested between 45 and 60 days after onset of diabetes. Antinociception was assessed using the radiant tail-flick test. Mechanical and thermal sensitivities were measured by Von Frey filaments and hot-plate test, respectively. Tactile allodynia, but not thermal hyperalgesia developed in diabetic mice. Systemic WIN 55, 212-2 (1, 5 and 10mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent antinociception both in diabetic and control mice. WIN 55, 212-2-induced antinociception were found to be similar in diabetic mice when compared to controls suggesting efficacy of cannabinoid antinociception was not diminished in diabetic mice. WIN 55, 212-2 also produced a dose-dependent antiallodynic effect in diabetic mice. This study suggests that cannabinoids have a potential beneficial effect on experimental diabetic neuropathic pain.

Animals↗

The cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN 55,212-2, inhibits cool-specific lamina I medullary dorsal horn neurons.

Cannabinoid receptor agonists have been demonstrated to inhibit medullary and spinal cord dorsal horn nociceptive neurons. The effect of cannabinoids on thermoreceptive specific neurons in the spinal or medullary dorsal horn remains unknown. In the present study, single-unit recordings from the rat medullary dorsal horn were performed to examine the effect of a cannabinoid receptor agonists on cold-specific lamina I spinothalamic tract neurons. The cannabinoid CB1/CB2 receptor agonist, WIN 55,212-2 (WIN-2), was locally applied to the medullary dorsal horn and the neuronal activity evoked by cooling the receptive field was recorded. WIN-2 (1 microg/microl and 2 microg/microl) significantly attenuated cold-evoked activity. Co-administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist SR 141716 with WIN-2 did not affect cold-evoked activity. These results demonstrate a potential mechanism by which cannabinoids produce hypothermia, and also suggest that cannabinoids may affect non-noxious thermal discrimination.

Action Potentials↗

Receptor-independent actions of cannabinoids on cell membranes: focus on endocannabinoids.

Cannabinoids are a structurally diverse group of mostly lipophilic molecules that bind to cannabinoid receptors. In fact, endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) are a class of signaling lipids consisting of amides and esters of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are synthesized from lipid precursors in plasma membranes via Ca(2+) or G-protein-dependent processes and exhibit cannabinoid-like actions by binding to cannabinoid receptors. However, endocannabinoids can produce effects that are not mediated by these receptors. In pharmacologically relevant concentrations, endocannabinoids modulate the functional properties of voltage-gated ion channels including Ca(2+) channels, Na(+) channels, various types of K(+) channels, and ligand-gated ion channels such as serotonin type 3, nicotinic acetylcholine, and glycine receptors. In addition, modulatory effects of endocannabinoids on other ion-transporting membrane proteins such as transient potential receptor-class channels, gap junctions and transporters for neurotransmitters have also been demonstrated. Furthermore, functional properties of G-protein-coupled receptors for different types of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides are altered by direct actions of endocannabinoids. Although the mechanisms of these effects are currently not clear, it is likely that these direct actions of endocannabinoids are due to their lipophilic structures. These findings indicate that additional molecular targets for endocannabinoids exist and that these targets may represent novel sites for cannabinoids to alter either the excitability of the neurons or the response of the neuronal systems. This review focuses on the results of recent studies indicating that beyond their receptor-mediated effects, endocannabinoids alter the functions of ion channels and other integral membrane proteins directly.

Animals↗

Inhibition of small intestinal secretion by cannabinoids is CB1 receptor-mediated in rats.

We tested the hypothesis that cannabinoids, acting via a neuronal mechanism of action decrease small intestinal secretion. In vitro electrical stimulation induced ileal secretion in rats, that was attenuated by a cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN 55212-2, (mesylate(R)-(+)-[2, 3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[4-morpholino)methyl]pyrrolo-[1,2,3-de]-1, 4-benzoxazin-6-yl](1-naphthyl)methanone) but not its optical isomer WIN 55212-3. The inhibition of secretion induced by WIN 55212-2 was reversed by SR141716A (N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride), a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist. An ileal secretory response stimulated by acetylcholine was unaffected by WIN 55212-2. These findings show that cannabinoids inhibit neurally mediated secretion via cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Thus, cannabinoids may have therapeutic potential for diarrhea unresponsive to available therapies.

Acetylcholine↗

Modulation of cytokine responses in Corynebacterium parvum-primed endotoxemic mice by centrally administered cannabinoid ligands.

The cannabinoid receptor agonists [(-)-11-hydoxy-Delta(8)tetrahydrocannabinol-dimethylheptyl] (HU-210) and [(R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(4-morpholinyl)methyl[pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl](1-naphthalenyl) methanone] (WIN 55212-2) were previously shown to downregulate inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-12) and to upregulate antiinflammatory interleukin-10 when administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to mice before an endotoxin challenge. Cytokine modulation coincided with the onset of behavioral changes that are associated with cannabinoid agonist activated central cannabinoid CB(1) receptors. Both effects were antagonized by [N-(piperdin-1-yl)-5-(4-chloropheny)-1-(2,4-dichloropheny)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride] (SR141716A) a selective cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist. In the present study, we have investigated further the apparent role of central CB(1) cannabinoid receptors in cytokine modulation by HU-210 and WIN 55212-2. When administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), the drugs modulated cytokine responses at doses that were threefold to fourfold lower than those found effective by the i.p. route. SR141716A blocked cytokine modulation when coadministered centrally with the agonists, while a selective cannabinoid CB(2) receptor antagonist, (N-[(1S)-endo-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl]5-(4-choro-3 methylphenyl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)pyrazole-3-carboxamide) (SR144528) had no effect. Surprisingly, SR144528 was found to modulate cytokines itself when injected i.c.v.

Animals↗

CB1 cannabinoid receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase-related non-kinase.

The effect of cannabinoid on the tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and focal adhesion kinase-related non-kinase (FRNK) was investigated in differentiated mouse neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells. HU-210, a potent cannabinoid agonist, elicited a time-dependent enhancement of tyrosine phosphorylation of FRNK, but not FAK. Pretreatment of cells with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide targeting CB1 cannabinoid receptor abolished HU-210-induced FRNK tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, pretreatment of cells with 8-Br-cAMP also blocked HU-210-induced FRNK tyrosine phosphorylation. These data demonstrated that HU-210 induces FRNK tyrosine phosphorylation by activating G(i)-coupled CB1 cannabinoid receptor in N1E-115 cells. This newly discovered, cannabinoid-induced FRNK tyrosine phosphorylation might be a novel mechanism for cannabinoid-induced functional changes.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

An endogenous cannabinoid tone attenuates cholera toxin-induced fluid accumulation in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Cholera toxin (CT) is the most recognizable enterotoxin causing secretory diarrhea, a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. In this study, we investigated the role of the endogenous cannabinoid system (i.e., the cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands) in CT-induced fluid accumulation in the mouse small intestine. METHODS: Fluid accumulation was evaluated by enteropooling; endocannabinoid levels were measured by isotope-dilution gas chromatography mass spectrometry; CB(1) receptors were localized by immunohistochemistry and their messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were quantified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Oral administration of CT to mice resulted in an increase in fluid accumulation in the small intestine and in increased levels of the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide, and increased expression of the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor mRNA. The cannabinoid receptor agonist CP55,940 and the selective cannabinoid CB(1) receptor agonist arachidonoyl-chloro-ethanolamide inhibited CT-induced fluid accumulation, and this effect was counteracted by the CB(1) receptor antagonist SR141716A, but not by the CB(2) receptor antagonist SR144528. SR141716A, per se, but not the vanilloid VR1 receptor antagonist capsazepine, enhanced fluid accumulation induced by CT, whereas the selective inhibitor of anandamide cellular uptake, VDM11, prevented CT-induced fluid accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that CT, along with enhanced intestinal secretion, causes overstimulation of endocannabinoid signaling with an antisecretory role in the small intestine.

Amides↗

Structure-activity relationships of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid ligand.

Identification of arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide) as an endogenous cannabinoid is one of the most important developments in cannabinoid research in recent years. In a relatively short period of time thereafter, pharmacological and biochemical studies have confirmed initial speculations that anandamide is a neuromodulator and significantly advanced our understanding of cannabinoid biochemistry. Moreover, the discovery of anandamide has led to the identification of two heretofore unknown proteins associated with cannabinoid physiology: 1) Anandamide Amidohydrolase (AAH), an enzyme responsible for the hydrolytic breakdown of anandamide and 2) the Anandamide Transporter (ANT), a carrier protein involved in the transport of anandamide across the cell membrane. Evidence obtained so far suggests that these two proteins, in combination, are responsible for the termination of the biological actions of anandamide. Also, the discovery of anandamide has revealed a novel class of more selective cannabimimetic agents possessing a somewhat different pharmacological profile of potential therapeutic value. A number of such analogs have now been reported many of which possess markedly improved cannabinoid receptor affinity and metabolic stability compared to those of the parent ligand. Generally, anandamide and all known analogs exhibit significant selectivity for the CB1 receptor and modest to very low affinity for CB2. For this reason, this group of compounds can be considered as CB1 ligands. The purpose of this review is to summarize the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of anandamide for the CB1 cannabinoid receptor and to define the structural requirements for the substrates and the inhibitors of anandamide amidohydrolase and the anandamide transporter.

Amidohydrolases↗