1
|
Girella A, Di Bartolomeo M, Dainese E, Buzzelli V, Trezza V, D'Addario C. Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase and Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 Genes Regulation is Modulated by Social Isolation in Rats. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:1278-1290. [PMID: 38368587 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04117-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Social isolation is a state of lack of social connections, involving the modulation of different molecular signalling cascades and associated with high risk of mental health issues. To investigate if and how gene expression is modulated by social experience at the central level, we analyzed the effects of 5 weeks of social isolation in rats focusing on endocannabinoid system genes transcription in key brain regions involved in emotional control. We observed selective reduction in mRNA levels for fatty acid amide hydrolase (Faah) and cannabinoid receptor type 1 (Cnr1) genes in the amygdala complex and of Cnr1 in the prefrontal cortex of socially isolated rats when compared to controls, and these changes appear to be partially driven by trimethylation of Lysine 27 and acetylation of Lysine 9 at Histone 3. The alterations of Cnr1 transcriptional regulation result also directly correlated with those of oxytocin receptor gene. We here suggest that to counteract the effects of SI, it is of relevance to restore the endocannabinoid system homeostasis via the use of environmental triggers able to revert those epigenetic mechanisms accounting for the alterations observed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Girella
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini, 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Martina Di Bartolomeo
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini, 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Enrico Dainese
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini, 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Viviana Trezza
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- Neuroendocrinology, Metabolism and Neuropharmacology Unit, IRCSS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio D'Addario
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via Renato Balzarini, 1, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Biener I, Mueller TT, Lin J, Bao H, Steffen J, Hoerl M, Biere K, Matzel S, Woehrle T, König S, Keiler AM, Thieme D, Keppler O, Klein M, Weinberger T, Osterman A, Adorjan K, Choukér A. Endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid-like compounds and cortisone in head hair of health care workers as markers of stress and resilience during the early COVID-19 pandemic. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:71. [PMID: 38296973 PMCID: PMC10831098 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02771-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 impacted health systems globally, creating increased workload and mental stress upon health care workers (HCW). During the first pandemic wave (March to May 2020) in southern Germany, we investigated the impact of stress and the resilience to stress in HCW by measuring changes in hair concentrations of endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid-like compounds and cortisone. HCW (n = 178) recruited from multiple occupation and worksites in the LMU-University-Hospital in Munich were interviewed at four interval visits to evaluate mental stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. A strand of hair of up to 6 cm in length was sampled once in May 2020, which enabled retrospective individual stress hormone quantifications during that aforementioned time period. Perceived anxiety and impact on mental health were demonstrated to be higher at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and decreased significantly thereafter. Resilience was stable over time, but noted to be lower in women than in men. The concentrations of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) and the structural congeners N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), N-oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and N-stearoylethanolamide (SEA) were noted to have decreased significantly over the course of the pandemic. In contrast, the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels increased significantly and were found to be higher in nurses, laboratory staff and hospital administration than in physicians. PEA was significantly higher in subjects with a higher resilience but lower in subjects with anxiety. SEA was also noted to be reduced in subjects with anxiety. Nurses had significantly higher cortisone levels than physicians, while female subjects had significant lower cortisone levels than males. Hair samples provided temporal and measurable objective psychophysiological-hormonal information. The hair endocannabinoids/endocannabinoid-like compounds and cortisone correlated to each other and to professions, age and sex quite differentially, relative to specific periods of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingeborg Biener
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Tonina T Mueller
- Department of Medicine I, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Jin Lin
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Ludwigstr. 33, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Han Bao
- Department of Statistics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Ludwigstr. 33, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Julius Steffen
- Department of Medicine I, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Marion Hoerl
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Biere
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra Matzel
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Woehrle
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Simon König
- Institute of Doping Analysis und Sports Biochemistry Dresden (IDAS), Dresdner Str. 12, 01731, Kreischa, Germany
| | - Annekathrin M Keiler
- Institute of Doping Analysis und Sports Biochemistry Dresden (IDAS), Dresdner Str. 12, 01731, Kreischa, Germany
| | - Detlef Thieme
- Institute of Doping Analysis und Sports Biochemistry Dresden (IDAS), Dresdner Str. 12, 01731, Kreischa, Germany
| | - Oliver Keppler
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Klein
- Emergency Department, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Weinberger
- Department of Medicine I, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Osterman
- Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Virology, National Reference Center for Retroviruses, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site, Munich, Germany
| | - Kristina Adorjan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Nußbaumstr. 7, 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Choukér
- Laboratory of Translational Research "Stress and Immunity", Department of Anesthesiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Janecki M, Graczyk M, Lewandowska AA, Pawlak Ł. Anti-Inflammatory and Antiviral Effects of Cannabinoids in Inhibiting and Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084170. [PMID: 35456990 PMCID: PMC9025270 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus made it necessary to search for new options for both causal treatment and mitigation of its symptoms. Scientists and researchers around the world are constantly looking for the best therapeutic options. These difficult circumstances have also spurred the re-examination of the potential of natural substances contained in Cannabis sativa L. Cannabinoids, apart from CB1 and CB2 receptors, may act multifacetedly through a number of other receptors, such as the GPR55, TRPV1, PPARs, 5-HT1A, adenosine and glycine receptors. The complex anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects of cannabinoids have been confirmed by interactions with various signaling pathways. Considering the fact that the SARS-CoV-2 virus causes excessive immune response and triggers an inflammatory cascade, and that cannabinoids have the ability to regulate these processes, it can be assumed that they have potential to be used in the treatment of COVID-19. During the pandemic, there were many publications on the subject of COVID-19, which indicate the potential impact of cannabinoids not only on the course of the disease, but also their role in prevention. It is worth noting that the anti-inflammatory and antiviral potential are shown not only by well-known cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), but also secondary cannabinoids, such as cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and terpenes, emphasizing the role of all of the plant’s compounds and the entourage effect. This article presents a narrative review of the current knowledge in this area available in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science medical databases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Janecki
- Department of Palliative Care and Palliative Medicine, Silesian Medical University in Katowice, 40-752 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Michał Graczyk
- Department of Palliative Care, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (A.A.L.)
| | - Agata Anna Lewandowska
- 10th Military Research Hospital and Polyclinic in Bydgoszcz, 85-681 Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (A.A.L.)
| | - Łukasz Pawlak
- Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland;
| |
Collapse
|