1
|
Dragon J, Obuchowicz E. How depression and antidepressant drugs affect endocannabinoid system?-review of clinical and preclinical studies. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024; 397:4511-4536. [PMID: 38280009 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02938-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
As major depressive disorder is becoming a more and more common issue in modern society, it is crucial to discover new possible grip points for its diagnosis and antidepressive therapy. One of them is endocannabinoid system, which has been proposed as a manager of emotional homeostasis, and thus, endocannabinoid alterations have been found in animals undergoing various preclinical models of depression procedures as well as in humans suffering from depressive-like disorders. In this review article, studies regarding those alterations have been summed up and analyzed. Another important issue raised by the researchers is the impact of currently used antidepressive drugs on endocannabinoid system so that it would be possible to predict reversibility of endocannabinoid alterations following stress exposure and, in the future, to be able to design individually personalized therapies. Preclinical studies investigating this topic have been analyzed and described in this article. Unfortunately, too few clinical studies in this field exist, what indicates an urgent need for collecting such data, so that it would be possible to compare them with preclinical outcomes and draw reliable conclusions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonasz Dragon
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków Street 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Ewa Obuchowicz
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków Street 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gowatch LC, Evanski JM, Ely SL, Zundel CG, Bhogal A, Carpenter C, Shampine MM, O'Mara E, Mazurka R, Barcelona J, Mayo LM, Marusak HA. Endocannabinoids and Stress-Related Neurospsychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Basal Concentrations and Response to Acute Psychosocial Stress. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024. [PMID: 38683635 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Dysregulation of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system is implicated in various stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders (SRDs), including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, our objectives were to characterize circulating anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) concentrations at rest and in response to acute laboratory-based psychosocial stress in individuals with SRDs and without (controls). Our primary aims were to assess the effects of acute psychosocial stress on eCB concentrations in controls (Aim 1), compare baseline (prestress) eCB concentrations between individuals with SRDs and controls (Aim 2), and explore differential eCB responses to acute psychosocial stress in individuals with SRDs compared with controls (Aim 3). Methods: On June 8, 2023, a comprehensive review of the MEDLINE (PubMed) database was conducted to identify original articles meeting inclusion criteria. A total of 1072, 1341, and 400 articles were screened for inclusion in Aims 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Results: Aim 1, comprised of seven studies in controls, revealed that most studies reported stress-related increases in AEA (86%, with 43% reporting statistical significance) and 2-AG (83%, though none were statistically significant except for one study in saliva). However, meta-analyses did not support these patterns (p's>0.05). Aim 2, with 20 studies, revealed that most studies reported higher baseline concentrations of both AEA (63%, with 16% reporting statistical significance) and 2-AG (60%, with 10% reporting statistical significance) in individuals with SRDs compared with controls. Meta-analyses confirmed these findings (p's<0.05). Aim 3, which included three studies, had only one study that reported statistically different stress-related changes in 2-AG (but not AEA) between individuals with PTSD (decrease) and controls (increase), which was supported by the meta-analysis (p<0.001). Meta-analyses showed heterogeneity across studies and aims (I2=14-97%). Conclusion: Despite substantial heterogeneity in study characteristics, samples, and methodologies, consistent patterns emerged, including elevated baseline AEA and 2-AG in individuals with SRDs compared with controls, as well as smaller stress-related increases in 2-AG in individuals with SRDs compared with controls. To consider eCBs as reliable biomarkers and potential intervention targets for SRDs, standardized research approaches are needed to clarify the complex relationships between eCBs, SRDs, and psychosocial stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leah C Gowatch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Julia M Evanski
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Samantha L Ely
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Translational Neuroscience PhD Program, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Clara G Zundel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Amanpreet Bhogal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Carmen Carpenter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - MacKenna M Shampine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Emilie O'Mara
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Raegan Mazurka
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jeanne Barcelona
- Center for Health and Community Impact, College of Education, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Leah M Mayo
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hilary A Marusak
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Translational Neuroscience PhD Program, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Anajirih N, O'Sullivan SE, Alexander SP. Endocannabinoid hydrolases differentially distribute in platelets and red blood cells and are differentially released by thrombin. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2023; 164:106692. [PMID: 36372184 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2022.106692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasma levels of the major endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylgycerol (2AG) and anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA) have been identified to vary independently with particular pathological conditions. The levels of these endocannabinoids are tightly regulated by two hydrolytic enzymes, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), respectively. OBJECTIVES In this study, we have quantified these enzyme activities in the major blood fractions. PATIENTS/METHODS In blood fractions from human volunteers, radiometric assays were used to quantify monoacylglycerol lipase and fatty acid amide hydrolase. Tagging with fluorophosphonate-rhodamine allowed quantification of platelet serine hydrolase activities. RESULTS Fatty acid amide hydrolase activity was highest in platelets, while MAGL activity was most abundant in erythrocytes. Sampling the blood of donors on two further occasions 15 days apart showed no significant change in platelet FAAH or erythrocyte MAGL activities. Activities were not different when comparing female donors with males. Storage of these blood fractions at - 80 °C was associated with a rapid loss in enzyme activities, which could largely by avoided by storage in liquid nitrogen. Incubation of platelets and erythrocytes in the presence of thrombin lead to release of measurable FAAH, but not MAGL, activity. Tagging of serine hydrolase activities with fluorophosphonate-rhodamine allowed confirmation of MAGL activity in platelet preparations, as well as multiple other enzymes. CONCLUSIONS These investigations suggest a potential role for FAAH in regulation of coagulation, while the role of MAGL in blood requires further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuha Anajirih
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
| | - Saoirse E O'Sullivan
- Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, School of Medicine, Royal Derby Hospital, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Stephen Ph Alexander
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Levels in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, Caudate Putamen, Nucleus Accumbens, and Piriform Cortex Were Upregulated by Chronic Restraint Stress. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030393. [PMID: 36766735 PMCID: PMC9913316 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) has been implicated in habituation to stress, and its augmentation reduces stress-induced anxiety-like behavior. Chronic restraint stress (CRS) changes the 2-AG levels in some gross brain areas, such as the forebrain. However, the detailed spatial distribution of 2-AG and its changes by CRS in stress processing-related anatomical structures such as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), caudate putamen (CP), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and piriform cortex (PIR) are still unclear. In this study, mice were restrained for 30 min in a 50 mL-centrifuge tube for eight consecutive days, followed by imaging of the coronal brain sections of control and stressed mice using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI). The results showed that from the forebrain to the cerebellum, 2-AG levels were highest in the hypothalamus and lowest in the hippocampal region. 2-AG levels were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated and 2-AG precursors levels were significantly (p < 0.05) downregulated in the ACC, CP, NAc, and PIR of stressed mice compared with control mice. This study provided direct evidence of 2-AG expression and changes, suggesting that 2-AG levels are increased in the ACC CP, NAc, and PIR when individuals are under chronic stress.
Collapse
|
5
|
Ottria R, Casati S, Rota P, Ciuffreda P. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Synthesis: Facile and Handy Enzymatic Method That Allows to Avoid Isomerization. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27165190. [PMID: 36014430 PMCID: PMC9416359 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A simple and practical synthesis of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), an endogenous agonist for cannabinoid receptors, based on a two-step enzymatic process and a chemical coupling, was achieved with a good yield and negligible amount of the isomerization product 1-AG. Commercial preparation of immobilized lipase from Mucor miehei (MML) was selected as the most suitable enzyme to catalyze the efficient protection of glycerol using vinyl benzoate as an acyl transfer reagent in tetrahydrofuran. The same enzyme was used to remove the protective groups in positions 1 and 3. Owing to the mild neutral conditions and easy suitability of the method, 2-AG was obtained without any isomerization to the more stable 1-AG and air oxidation of acid chain. The synthetic method proposed here allows us to easily obtain 2-AG from the protected precursor in a one-step reaction without purification requirement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Ottria
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Silvana Casati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Paola Rota
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche e Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via della Commenda 10, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Pierangela Ciuffreda
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Cliniche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via G.B. Grassi 74, 20157 Milano, Italy
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Epps SA. Commonalities for comorbidity: Overlapping features of the endocannabinoid system in depression and epilepsy. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1041460. [PMID: 36339877 PMCID: PMC9626804 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1041460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A wealth of clinical and pre-clinical data supports a bidirectional comorbidity between depression and epilepsy. This suggests commonalities in underlying mechanisms that may serve as targets for more effective treatment strategies. Unfortunately, many patients with this comorbidity are highly refractory to current treatment strategies, while others experience a worsening of one arm of the comorbidity when treating the other arm. This highlights the need for novel pharmaceutical targets that may provide safe and effective relief for both depression and epilepsy symptoms. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) of the brain has become an area of intense interest for possible roles in depression and epilepsy. Several existing literature reviews have provided in-depth analysis of the involvement of various aspects of the ECS in depression or epilepsy separately, while others have addressed the effectiveness of different treatment strategies targeting the ECS in either condition individually. However, there is not currently a review that considers the ECS when both conditions are comorbid. This mini-review will address areas of common overlap between the ECS in depression and in epilepsy, such as commonalities in endocannabinoids themselves, their receptors, and degradative enzymes. These areas of overlap will be discussed alongside their implications for treatment of this challenging comorbidity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Alisha Epps
- Department of Psychology, Whitworth University, Spokane, WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|