The THC-induced suppression of Th1 polarization in response to Legionella pneumophila infection is not mediated by increases in corticosterone and PGE2.
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T helper cell type 1 (Th1)-polarizing cytokines are induced by Legionella pneumophila infection and are suppressed by pretreatment with marijuana cannabinoids (CB). Glucocorticoids and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) are also reported to suppress Th1 polarization and are induced by Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), so their role in the suppression of polarizing cytokines was examined. Injection of L. pneumophila or THC alone into BALB/c mice induced a rapid and transient rise in serum corticosterone (CS), and the injection of both agents significantly augmented the CS response, demonstrating that THC increased CS in Legionella-infected mice. Pretreatment with the CB receptor 1 (CB1) antagonist SR141716A had no effect on the THC-induced CS response, but CB2 antagonist (SR144528) treatment increased the CS response. To see if increased CS contributed to the down-regulation of Th1 cytokines, mice were pretreated with the steroid antagonist RU486 before THC injection and Legionella infection. The results showed that RU486 did not attenuate the THC-induced suppression of serum interleukin (IL)-12 or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In addition to CS, THC injection increased urinary PGE2 metabolites, and the CB1 antagonist attenuated this increase. Although L. pneumophila infection increased urinary PGE2, THC pretreatment did not enhance this response; in addition, treatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, did not block the THC-induced suppression of IL-12 and IFN-gamma. These results suggest that the elevation of CS and PGE2 does not account for the THC-induced attenuation of the Th1 cytokine response, and it is concluded that other suppressive mediators are induced by THC or that the drug acts directly on immune cells to suppress cytokine production. (+info)
Role of different brain structures in the behavioural expression of WIN 55,212-2 withdrawal in mice.
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We have evaluated several responses induced by the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 related to its addictive properties, including rewarding effects and the development of physical dependence in mice. Moreover, we have studied the specific involvement of several brain regions with high density of CB1 cannabinoid receptors, such as striatum, hippocampus, amygdala and cerebellum, in the behavioural expression of SR 141716A-precipitated WIN 55,212-2 withdrawal. The systemic administration of the CB1 receptor antagonist SR 141716A (10 mg kg(-1), s.c.) precipitated behavioural signs of withdrawal in mice chronically treated with WIN 55,212-2 (1 and 2 mg kg(-1), intraperitoneal (i.p.)), revealing the development of physical dependence. The microinjection of SR 141716A (1.5 and 3 micrograms) into the cerebellum induced severe manifestations of abstinence in mice dependent on WIN 55,212-2 (1 mg kg(-1), i.p.). Out of 10 signs evaluated, seven were statistically significant: wet dog shakes, body tremor, paw tremor, piloerection, mastication, genital licks and sniffing. When the cannabinoid antagonist was administered into the hippocampus and the amygdala, a moderate but significant withdrawal syndrome was also observed. However, no signs of abstinence were induced when SR 141716A was microinjected into the striatum. WIN 55,212-2 produced rewarding effects in the place-conditioning paradigm in mice pre-exposed to a priming injection of the drug. These results show a reliable behavioural model to reveal rewarding effects and physical dependence induced by the repeated administration of WIN 55,212-2 in mice. The cerebellum and to a lesser extent the hippocampus and the amygdala participate in the behavioural expression of cannabinoid withdrawal. (+info)
Defective adult neurogenesis in CB1 cannabinoid receptor knockout mice.
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Pharmacological studies suggest a role for CB1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1R) in regulating neurogenesis in the adult brain. To investigate this possibility, we measured neurogenesis by intraperitoneal injection of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), which labels newborn neurons, in wild-type and CB1R-knockout (CB1R-KO) mice. CB1R-KO mice showed reductions in the number of BrdU-labeled cells to approximately 50% of wild-type (WT) levels in dentate gyrus and subventricular zone (SVZ), suggesting that CB1R activation promotes neurogenesis. To test this further, WT mice were given the CB1R antagonist N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole -3-carboximide hydrochloride (SR141716A) before measuring neurogenesis with BrdU. SR141716A paradoxically increased the number of BrdU-labeled cells by approximately 50% in SVZ; another CB1R antagonist, 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-4-methyl-N-1-piperidinyl-1H-pyrazole-3-ca rboxamide (AM251), had a similar effect. To investigate this discrepancy, SR141716A was given to CB1R-KO mice, in which it still stimulated neurogenesis, indicating involvement of a non-CB1 receptor. Action at one such non-CB1, SR141716A-sensitive site, the VR1 vanilloid receptor, was tested by administering SR141716A to VR1-KO mice, in which the ability of SR141716A to enhance neurogenesis was abolished. Thus, CB1 and VR1 receptors both seem to have roles in regulating adult neurogenesis. (+info)
Cannabinoids suppress synaptic input to neurones of the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve.
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Cannabinoids bind central type 1 receptors (CB1R) and modify autonomic functions, including feeding and anti-emetic behaviours, when administered peripherally or into the dorsal vagal complex. Western blots and immunohistochemistry indicated the expression of CB1R in the rat dorsal vagal complex, and tissue polymerase chain reaction confirmed that CB1R message was made within the region. To identify a cellular substrate for the central autonomic effects of cannabinoids, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made in brainstem slices to determine the effects of CB1R activation on synaptic transmission to neurones of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV). A subset of these neurones was identified as gastric related after being labelled retrogradely from the stomach. The CB1R agonists WIN55,212-2 and anandamide decreased the frequency of spontaneous excitatory or inhibitory postsynaptic currents in a concentration-related fashion, an effect that persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin. Paired pulse ratios of electrically evoked postsynaptic currents were also increased by WIN55,212-2. The effects of WIN55,212-2 were sensitive to the selective CB1R antagonist AM251. Cannabinoid agonist effects on synaptic input originating from neurones in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) were determined by evoking activity in the NTS with local glutamate application. Excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs arising from the NTS were attenuated by WIN55,212-2. Our results indicate that cannabinoids inhibit transfer of synaptic information to the DMV, including that arising from the NTS, in part by acting at receptors located on presynaptic terminals contacting DMV neurones. Inhibition of synaptic input to DMV neurones is likely to contribute to the suppression of visceral motor responses by cannabinoids. (+info)
The inhibitory effect of anandamide on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone secretion is reversed by estrogen.
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Because Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhibited luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) in male rats, we hypothesized that the endocannabinoid, anandamide (AEA), would act similarly. AEA microinjected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) decreased plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) at 30 min in comparison to values in controls (P < 0.001). The cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1-r)-specific antagonist, [N-(piperidin-1-yl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazol e-3-carboxamide] (AM251), produced a significant elevation in plasma LH (P < 0.01). AEA (10(-9) M) decreased LHRH release from medial basal hypothalami incubated in vitro. These results support the concept that endogenous AEA inhibits LHRH followed by decreased LH release in male rats. In ovariectomized (OVX) female rats, AEA i.c.v. also inhibited LH release, but in this case AM251 had an even greater inhibitory effect than AEA. In vitro, AEA had no effect on LHRH in OVX rats. It seems that endogenous AEA inhibits LHRH followed by decreased LH release in OVX rats but that AM251 has an inhibitory action in this case. In striking contrast, in OVX, estrogen-primed (OVX-E) rats, AEA i.c.v. instead of decreasing LH, increased its release. This effect was completely blocked by previous injection of AM251. When medial basal hypothalami of OVX-E rats were incubated, AEA increased LHRH release. The synthesized AEA was higher in OVX-E rats than in OVX and males, indicating that estrogen modifies endocannabinoid levels and effects. The results are interpreted to mean that sex steroids have profound effects to modify the response to AEA. It inhibits LHRH and consequently diminishes LH release in males and OVX females, but stimulates LHRH followed by increased LH release in OVX-E-primed rats. (+info)
A cyclooxygenase metabolite of anandamide causes inhibition of interleukin-2 secretion in murine splenocytes.
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Arachidonyl ethanolamine, which is commonly known as anandamide, was the first endogenous compound to be identified that binds to the cannabinoid receptors. Anandamide mimics many of the physiological effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC), including hypothermia, antinociception, immobility, catalepsy, and immune modulation. In the present studies, we show that anandamide caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of interleukin-2 in primary splenocytes. The CB1 and CB2 antagonists, SR141716A [N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorphenyl)-4-methyl-H-pyrazole- 3 carboxyamidehydrochloride] and SR144528 [N-[(1S)-endo-1,3,3,-trimethylbicyclo[2,2,1]heptan-2-yl]-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphen yl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxamide], when used in combination, did not antagonize the inhibition of interleukin-2 by anandamide. Additionally, neither UCM707 [N-(3-furanylmethyl)-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenamide], the inhibitor of the putative anandamide membrane transporter (AMT), nor methyl arachidonoyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP), the inhibitor of fatty acid amidohydrolase (FAAH), were able to affect the inhibitory activity of anandamide upon interleukin-2. Interestingly, arachidonic acid caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of interleukin-2 secretion (IC(50) = 10.3 microM), which was similar to that of structurally related anandamide (IC(50) = 11.4 microM). The inhibition of interleukin-2 by anandamide and arachidonic acid was partially reversed by pretreatment with the nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibitors, flurbiprofen and piroxicam. Moreover, NS398 [N-[2-(cyclohexyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl]-methanesulfonamide], a cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor, also attenuated the inhibitory effects of anandamide and arachidonic acid upon interleukin-2 secretion. Finally, pretreatment with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma)-specific antagonist, T0070907 [2-chloro-5-nitro-N-4-pyridinyl-benzamide], partially antagonized anandamide-mediated suppression of IL-2 secretion. Collectively, the aforementioned studies suggest that inhibition of interleukin-2 secretion by anandamide is independent of CB1/CB2 and the AMT/FAAH system. Additionally, these studies also suggest that inhibition of interleukin-2 is mediated by a PPARgamma, which is activated by a cyclooxygenase-2 metabolite of anandamide. (+info)
Long-term administration of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol desensitizes CB1-, adenosine A1-, and GABAB-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in mouse cerebellum.
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Cannabinoid CB(1) receptors in the cerebellum mediate the inhibitory effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on motor coordination. Intracellular effects of CB(1) receptors include inhibition of adenylyl cyclase via activation of G(i/o) proteins. There is evidence for the convergence of other neuronal receptors, such as adenosine A(1) and GABA(B), with the cannabinoid system on this signaling pathway to influence motor function. Previous studies have shown that brain CB(1) receptors are desensitized and down-regulated by long-term THC treatment, but few studies have examined the effects of long-term THC treatment on downstream effector activity in brain. Therefore, these studies examined the relationship between CB(1), adenosine A(1), and GABA(B) receptors in cerebella of mice undergoing prolonged treatment with vehicle or THC at the level of G protein activation and adenylyl cyclase inhibition. In control cerebella, CB(1) receptors produced less than additive inhibition of adenylyl cyclase with GABA(B) and A(1) receptors, indicating that these receptors are localized on overlapping populations of cells. Long-term THC treatment produced CB(1) receptor down-regulation and desensitization of both cannabinoid agonist-stimulated G protein activation and inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase. However, G protein activation by GABA(B) or A(1) receptors was unaffected. It is noteworthy that heterologous attenuation of GABA(B) and A(1) receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase was observed, even though absolute levels of basal and forskolin- or G(s)-stimulated activity were unchanged. These results indicate that long-term THC administration produces a disruption of inhibitory receptor control of cerebellar adenylyl cyclase and suggest a potential mechanism of cross-tolerance to the motor incoordinating effects of cannabinoid, GABA(B), and A(1) agonists. (+info)
A new strategy to block tumor growth by inhibiting endocannabinoid inactivation.
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Endocannabinoid signaling has been shown to be enhanced in several cancer tissues and malignant cells, and studies in cell lines have shown that this up-regulation might serve the purpose of providing transformed cells with a further means to inhibit their proliferation. Here we investigated the effect of inhibitors of endocannabinoid degradation on the growth of rat thyroid tumor xenografts induced in athymic mice. VDM-11, a selective inhibitor of endocannabinoid cellular re-uptake, and arachidonoyl-serotonin (AA-5-HT), a selective blocker of endocannabinoid enzymatic hydrolysis, both inhibited the growth in vivo of tumor xenografts induced by the subcutaneous injection of rat thyroid transformed (KiMol) cells. This effect was accompanied by significantly enhanced endocannabinoid concentrations in the tumors excised at the end of the in vivo experiments. Endocannabinoids, as well as VDM-11 and AA-5-HT, inhibited the growth in vitro of the transformed rat thyroid cells used to induce the tumors in vivo, and their effect was reversed at least in part by the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A. This compound, however, when administered alone, did not enhance, but instead slightly inhibited, the growth of rat thyroid transformed cells both in vitro and in tumor xenografts induced in vivo. These findings indicate that endocannabinoids tonically control tumor growth in vivo by both CB1-mediated and non-CB1-mediated mechanisms and that, irrespective of the molecular mechanism of their anti-proliferative action, inhibitors of their inactivation might be used for the development of novel anti-cancer drugs. (+info)