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Karin KN, Mustafa MA, Poklis JL, Buzzi B, Schlosburg JE, Parker L, Damaj MI, Lichtman AH. N-oleoyl alanine attenuates nicotine reward and spontaneous nicotine withdrawal in mice. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 259:111276. [PMID: 38676968 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As nicotine dependence represents a longstanding major public health issue, new nicotine cessation pharmacotherapies are needed. Administration of N-oleoyl glycine (OlGly), an endogenous lipid signaling molecule, prevents nicotine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) through a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) dependent mechanism, and also ameliorated withdrawal signs in nicotine-dependent mice. Pharmacological evidence suggests that the methylated analog of OlGly, N-oleoyl alanine (OlAla), has an increased duration of action and may offer translational benefit. Accordingly, OlAla was assessed in nicotine CPP and dependence assays as well as its pharmacokinetics compared to OlGly. METHODS ICR female and male mice were tested in nicotine-induced CPP with and without the PPARα antagonist GW6471. OlAla was also assessed in nicotine-dependent mice following removal of nicotine minipumps: somatic withdrawal signs, thermal hyper-nociception and altered affective behavior (i.e., light/dark box). Finally, plasma and brain were collected after administration of OlGly or OlAla and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS OlAla prevented nicotine-induced CPP, but this effect was not blocked by GW6471. OlAla attenuated somatic and affective nicotine withdrawal signs, but not thermal hyper-nociception in nicotine-dependent mice undergoing withdrawal. OlAla and OlGly showed similar time-courses in plasma and brain. CONCLUSIONS The observation that both molecules showed similar pharmacokinetics argues against the notion that OlAla offers increased metabolic stability. Moreover, while these structurally similar lipids show efficacy in mouse models of reward and dependence, they reduce nicotine reward through distinct mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly N Karin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Mohammed A Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Belle Buzzi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Joel E Schlosburg
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Linda Parker
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
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Fraguas-Sánchez AI, Hernán D, Montejo C, Poklis JL, Lichtman AH, Torres-Suárez AI. Polycaprolactone microparticles for the subcutaneous administration of cannabidiol: in vitro and in vivo release. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:959-969. [PMID: 37824041 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01444-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) has become a highly attractive entity in therapeutics. However, its low aqueous solubility, instability and handling problems limit the development of effective CBD formulations. Subcutaneously administered CBD-loaded polycaprolactone microparticles (MP) represent an interesting strategy to overcome these challenges. This work focuses on evaluating the pharmacokinetics of CBD formulated in polymer microparticles for subcutaneous administration and characterising its release. The mean release time (MRLT) parameter is used to compare the release of CBD from two microparticle formulations in vitro and in a mouse model. After the administration of CBD in solution, a bicompartmental distribution is observed due to the extensive diffusion to the brain, being the brain/blood AUC ratio 1.29. The blood and brain mean residence time (MRT) are 0.507 ± 0.04 and 0.257 ± 0.0004 days, respectively. MP prepared with two drug/polymer ratios (15/150-MP and 30/150-MP) are designed, showing similar in vitro dissolution profiles (similarity factor (f2) is 63.21), without statistically significant differences between MRLTin vitro values (4.68 ± 0.63 and 4.32 ± 0.05 days). However, considerable differences in blood and brain profiles between both formulations are detected. The blood and brain MRT values of 15/150-MP are 6.44 ± 0.3 days and 6.15 ± 0.25 days, respectively, whereas significantly lower values 3.91 ± 0.29 days and 2.24 ± 0.64 days are obtained with 30/150-MP. The extended release of CBD during 10 days after a single subcutaneous administration is achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Fraguas-Sánchez
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Hernán
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Consuelo Montejo
- Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, San Pablo CEU University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Ana Isabel Torres-Suárez
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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3
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Mustafa MA, Poklis JL, Karin KN, Elmer JA, Porter JH, Parra V, Lu D, Schlosburg JE, Lichtman AH. Investigation of Cannabidiol in the Mouse Drug Discrimination Paradigm. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:581-590. [PMID: 36656312 PMCID: PMC10998012 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Cannabidiol (CBD) has gained considerable public and scientific attention because of its known and potential medicinal properties, as well as its commercial success in a wide range of products. Although CBD lacks cannabimimetic intoxicating side effects in humans and fails to substitute for cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R) agonists in laboratory animal models of drug discrimination paradigm, anecdotal reports describe it as producing a "pleasant" subjective effect in humans. Thus, we speculated that this phytocannabinoid may elicit distinct subjective effects. Accordingly, we investigated whether mice would learn to discriminate CBD from vehicle. Additionally, we examined whether CBD may act as a CB1R allosteric and whether it would elevate brain endocannabinoid concentrations. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6J mice underwent discrimination training of either CBD or the high-efficacy CB1R agonist CP55,940 from vehicle. Additionally, we examined whether CBD or the CB1R-positive allosteric modulator ZCZ011 would alter the CP55,940 discriminative cue. Finally, we tested whether an acute CBD injection would elevate endocannabinoid levels in brain, and also quantified blood and brain levels of CBD. Results: Mice failed to discriminate high doses of CBD from vehicle following 124 training days, though the same subjects subsequently acquired CP55,940 discrimination. In a second group of mice trained to discriminate CP55,940, CBD neither elicited substitution nor altered response rates. A single injection of 100 or 200 mg/kg CBD did not affect brain levels of endogenous cannabinoids and related lipids and resulted in high drug concentrations in blood and whole brain at 0.5 h and continued to increase at 3 h. Discussion: CBD did not engender an interoceptive stimulus, did not disrupt performance in a food-motivated operant task, and lacked apparent effectiveness in altering brain endocannabinoid levels or modulating the pharmacological effects of a CB1R agonist. These findings support the assertions that CBD lacks abuse liability and its acute administration does not appear to play a functional role in modulating key components of the endocannabinoid system in whole animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A. Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Justin L. Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Kimberly N. Karin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jayden A. Elmer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Joseph H. Porter
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Victoria Parra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Dai Lu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Joel E. Schlosburg
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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4
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Fraguas-Sánchez AI, Hernán Pérez de la Ossa D, Montejo C, Poklis JL, Lichtman AH, Torres-Suárez AI. Correction to: Polycaprolactone microparticles for the subcutaneous administration of cannabidiol: in vitro and in vivo release. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:1106-1107. [PMID: 38133739 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01507-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Fraguas-Sánchez
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores Hernán Pérez de la Ossa
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Consuelo Montejo
- Department of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, San Pablo CEU University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298-0613, USA
| | - Ana Isabel Torres-Suárez
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
- Institute of Industrial Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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5
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Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Ravula HP, Barmada KM, Dodson H, Poklis JL, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Lichtman AH, Reissner KJ, Fitting S. Acute Effects of Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitor ABX1431 on Neuronal Hyperexcitability, Nociception, Locomotion, and the Endocannabinoid System in HIV-1 Tat Male Mice. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024. [PMID: 38394322 DOI: 10.1089/can.2023.0247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitors can potentially treat HIV symptoms by increasing the concentration of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). We examined a selective MAGL inhibitor ABX1431 in the context of neuroHIV. Methods: To assess the effects of ABX1431, we conducted in vitro and in vivo studies. In vitro calcium imaging on frontal cortex neuronal cultures was performed to evaluate the role of ABX1431 (10, 30, 100 nM) on transactivator of transcription (Tat)-induced neuronal hyperexcitability. Following in vitro experiments, in vivo experiments were performed using Tat transgenic male mice. Mice were treated with 4 mg/kg ABX1431 and assessed for antinociception using tail-flick and hot plate assays followed by locomotor activity. After the behavioral experiments, their brains were harvested to quantify endocannabinoids (eCB) and related lipids through mass spectrometry, and cannabinoid type-1 and -2 receptors (CB1R and CB2R) were quantified through western blot. Results: In vitro studies revealed that adding Tat directly to the neuronal cultures significantly increased intracellular calcium concentration, which ABX1431 completely reversed at all concentrations. Preincubating the cultures with CB1R and CB2R antagonists showed that ABX1431 exhibited its effects partially through CB1R. In vivo studies demonstrated that acute ABX1431 increased overall total distance traveled and speed of mice regardless of their genotype. Mass spectrometry and western blot analyses revealed differential effects on the eCB system based on Tat expression. The 2-AG levels were significantly upregulated following ABX1431 treatment in the striatum and spinal cord. Arachidonic acid (AA) was also upregulated in the striatum of vehicle-treated Tat(+) mice. No changes were noted in CB1R expression levels; however, CB2R levels were increased in ABX1431-treated Tat(-) mice only. Conclusion: Findings indicate that ABX1431 has potential neuroprotective effects in vitro partially mediated through CB1R. Acute treatment of ABX1431 in vivo shows antinociceptive effects, and seems to alter locomotor activity, with upregulating 2-AG levels in the striatum and spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barkha J Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Havilah P Ravula
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Karenna M Barmada
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hailey Dodson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Kathryn J Reissner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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6
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Diester CM, Balint H, Gillespie JC, Lichtman AH, Sim-Selley LJ, Selley DE, Negus SS. Effects of Repeated Treatment with the Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitor MJN110 on Pain-Related Depression of Nesting and Cannabinoid 1 Receptor Function in Male and Female Mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024:JPET-AR-2023-001940. [PMID: 38262742 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
MJN110 inhibits the enzyme monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) to increase levels of the endocannabinoid (eCB) 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), an endogenous high-efficacy agonist of cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors (CB1/2R). MAGL inhibitors are under consideration as candidate analgesics, and we reported previously that acute MJN110 produced partial antinociception in an assay of pain-related behavioral depression in mice. Given the need for repeated analgesic administration in many pain patients and the potential for analgesic tolerance during repeated treatment, this study examined antinociceptive effects of repeated MJN110 on pain-related behavioral depression and CB1R-mediated G-protein function. Male and female ICR mice were treated daily for 7 days in a 2x2 design with (a) 1.0 mg/kg/day MJN110or its vehicle followed by (b) intraperitoneal injection of dilute lactic acid (IP acid) or its vehicle as a visceral noxious stimulus to depress nesting behavior. After behavioral testing, G-protein activity was assessed in lumbar spinal cord andfive brain regions using an assay of CP55,940-stimulated [35S]GTPɣS activation. As reported previously, acute MJN110 produced partial but significant relief of IP acid-induced nesting depression on Day 1. After 7 days, MJN110 continued to produce significant but partial antinociception in males, while antinociceptive tolerance developed in females. Repeated MJN110 also produced modest decreases in maximum levels of CP55,940-induced [35S]GTPɣS binding in spinal cord and most brain regions. These results indicate that repeated treatment with a relatively low antinociceptive MJN110 dose produces only partial and sex-dependent transient antinociception associated with the emergence of CB1R desensitization in this model of IP acid-induced nesting depression. Significance Statement The drug MJN110 inhibits monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) to increase levels of the endogenous cannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol and produce potentially useful therapeutic effects including analgesia. This study used an assay of pain-related behavioral depression in mice to show that repeated MJN110 treatment produced (1) weak but sustained antinociception in male mice, (2) antinociceptive tolerance in females, and (3) modest cannabinoid-receptor desensitization that varied by region and sex. Antinociceptive tolerance may limit the utility of MJN110 for treatment of pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare M Diester
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
| | - Hallie Balint
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
| | - James C Gillespie
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
| | - Laura J Sim-Selley
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
| | | | - S Stevens Negus
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, United States
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7
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Chen M, Shin M, Ware TB, Donvito G, Muchhala KH, Mischel R, Mustafa MA, Serbulea V, Upchurch CM, Leitinger N, Akbarali HI, Lichtman AH, Hsu KL. Endocannabinoid biosynthetic enzymes regulate pain response via LKB1-AMPK signaling. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304900120. [PMID: 38109529 PMCID: PMC10756258 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304900120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Diacylglycerol lipase-beta (DAGLβ) serves as a principal 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) biosynthetic enzyme regulating endocannabinoid and eicosanoid metabolism in immune cells including macrophages and dendritic cells. Genetic or pharmacological inactivation of DAGLβ ameliorates inflammation and hyper-nociception in preclinical models of pathogenic pain. These beneficial effects have been assigned principally to reductions in downstream proinflammatory lipid signaling, leaving alternative mechanisms of regulation largely underexplored. Here, we apply quantitative chemical- and phospho-proteomics to find that disruption of DAGLβ in primary macrophages leads to LKB1-AMPK signaling activation, resulting in reprogramming of the phosphoproteome and bioenergetics. Notably, AMPK inhibition reversed the antinociceptive effects of DAGLβ blockade, thereby directly supporting DAGLβ-AMPK crosstalk in vivo. Our findings uncover signaling between endocannabinoid biosynthetic enzymes and ancient energy-sensing kinases to mediate cell biological and pain responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22904
| | - Myungsun Shin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22904
| | - Timothy B. Ware
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22904
| | - Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298
| | - Karan H. Muchhala
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298
| | - Ryan Mischel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298
| | - Mohammed A. Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298
| | - Vlad Serbulea
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA22908
| | - Clint M. Upchurch
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA22908
| | - Norbert Leitinger
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA22908
| | - Hamid I. Akbarali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA23298
| | - Ku-Lung Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22904
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA22908
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22908
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Cancer Biology Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA22903
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8
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Karin KN, Mustafa MA, Lichtman AH, Poklis JL. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine in brain and plasma. J Sep Sci 2023; 46:e2300395. [PMID: 37688356 PMCID: PMC10872932 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.202300395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Interest has increased in the role of N-acyl amino acids in a variety of disease states and as potential pharmacotherapies. Recently, N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine have shown promise in reducing the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse and alleviating withdrawal signs in rodent models. Previously published methods for the quantitation of these analytes by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) in tissue were part of extensive lipidomic panels which may result in limited sensitivity and selectivity and also reported low recovery. Presented is a method for the extraction and HPLC-MS/MS analysis of N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine. The bias and precision of the assay were determined to be within ± 20%. The method was shown to be reliable and robust, with over 90% recovery for the low-level analytes. Increasing concentrations of N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine were quantitated in mouse brain and plasma following exogenous administration. This method was developed to serve to support studies investigating the pharmacokinetics and involvement of N-oleoyl glycine and N-oleoyl alanine in drug dependence and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly N. Karin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
| | - Mohammed A. Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
| | - Justin L. Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
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9
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Buzzi B, Koseli E, Alkhlaif Y, Parker A, Mustafa MA, Lichtman AH, Buczynski MW, Damaj MI. Differential roles of diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) enzymes in nicotine withdrawal. Brain Res 2023; 1817:148483. [PMID: 37442250 PMCID: PMC10529956 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Nicotine and tobacco-related deaths remains a leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. Several studies indicate that modulation of the endocannabinoid system, primarily of the endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), alters nicotinic dependence behaviors in rodents. This study, using transgenic knock-out (KO) mice, evaluated the role of the two 2-AG biosynthesis enzymes, (Diacylglycerol lipase-α) DAGL-α and DAGL-β in spontaneous nicotine withdrawal. DAGL-α deletion prevents somatic and affective signs of nicotine withdrawal, while DAGL-β deletion plays a role in hyperalgesia due to nicotine withdrawal. These results suggest a differential role of these enzymes in the various signs of nicotine withdrawal. Our behavioral findings relate to the distribution of these enzymes with DAGL-β being highly expressed in macrophages and DAGL-α in neurons. This study offers new potential targets for smoking cessation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belle Buzzi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Eda Koseli
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Yasmin Alkhlaif
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Abigail Parker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mohammed A. Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Matthew W Buczynski
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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10
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Chen C, Wang W, Raymond M, Ahmadinejad F, Poklis JL, Em B, Gewirtz DA, Lichtman AH, Li N. Genetic Knockout of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Nephropathy in Mice. Mol Pharmacol 2023; 103:230-240. [PMID: 36702548 PMCID: PMC10029825 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.122.000618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin is a potent first-line therapy for many solid malignancies, such as breast, ovarian, lung, testicular, and head and neck cancer. However, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major dose-limiting toxicity in cisplatin therapy, which often hampers the continuation of cisplatin treatment. The endocannabinoid system, consisting of anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol and cannabinoid receptors, participates in different kidney diseases. Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the primary enzyme for the degradation of AEA and AEA-related N-acylethanolamines, elicits anti-inflammatory effects; however, little is known about its role in cisplatin nephrotoxicity. The current study tested the hypothesis that genetic deletion of Faah mitigates cisplatin-induced AKI. Male wild-type C57BL6 (WT) and Faah-/- mice were administered a single dose of intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (30 mg/kg) and euthanatized 72 hours later. Faah-/- mice showed a reduction of cisplatin-induced blood urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine levels, kidney injury markers, and tubular damage in comparison with WT mice. The renal protection from Faah deletion was associated with enhanced tone of AEA-related N-acylethanolamines (palmitoylethanolamide and oleoylethanolamide), attenuated nuclear factor-κB/p65 activity, DNA damage markers p53 and p21, and decreased expression of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β, as well as infiltration of macrophages and leukocytes in the kidneys. Notably, a selective FAAH inhibitor (PF-04457845) did not interfere with or perturb the antitumor effects of cisplatin in two head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, HN30 and HN12. Our work highlights that FAAH inactivation prevents cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice and that targeting FAAH could provide a novel strategy to mitigate cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Mice lacking the Faah gene are protected from cisplatin-induced inflammation, DNA damage response, tubular damage, and kidney dysfunction. Inactivation of FAAH could be a potential strategy to mitigate cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoling Chen
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Weili Wang
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Marissa Raymond
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Fereshteh Ahmadinejad
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Brandon Em
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - David A Gewirtz
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Ningjun Li
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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11
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DeNapoli RC, Buettmann EG, Friedman MA, Lichtman AH, Donahue HJ. Global cannabinoid receptor 1 deficiency affects disuse-induced bone loss in a site-specific and sex-dependent manner. J Biomech 2023; 146:111414. [PMID: 36542906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Bone loss during mechanical unloading increases fracture risk and is a major concern for the general population and astronauts during spaceflight. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in bone metabolism. One of the main ECS receptors, cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1), has been studied in regards to basic bone metabolism; however, little is known as to how CB1 and the ECS affect bone in different mechanical environments. In this study, we analyzed the influence of global CB1 deficiency and sex on mice during disuse caused by single limb immobilization. Female mice were more sensitive to disuse-induced BV/TV loss than males in both the femoral metaphysis and tibial epiphysis. Genotype also affected bone loss in a sex-dependent manner, with male mice deficient in CB1 receptors (CB1KO) and female wildtype (WT) mice experiencing increased bone loss in both the tibial metaphysis and femoral epiphysis. Genotype affected the response to disuse as CB1KO mice displayed greater changes in femoral ultimate force, along with lower tibial ultimate stress, compared to WT mice. Female mice had a significantly higher femoral, and lower tibial ultimate force compared to male mice. These results reveal that disuse-induced bone loss due to CB1 deficiency is sex-dependent. CB1 deficiency in male mice exacerbated bone loss, while in females CB1 deficiency appeared to protect against disuse-induced bone loss. Regardless of genotype, female mice were more sensitive than males to disuse. These results suggest that CB1 receptors may represent a potential therapeutic target for mitigation of disuse-induced bone loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C DeNapoli
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Engineering Research Building, 401 West Main Street Room 4322B, Richmond, VA 23284, United States.
| | - Evan G Buettmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Engineering Research Building, 401 West Main Street Room 4322B, Richmond, VA 23284, United States.
| | - Michael A Friedman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Engineering Research Building, 401 West Main Street Room 4322B, Richmond, VA 23284, United States.
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth Universit, Molecular Medicine Research Building, Room 3042, 1220 East Broad Street, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, United States.
| | - Henry J Donahue
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Engineering Research Building, 401 West Main Street Room 4322B, Richmond, VA 23284, United States.
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12
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Chen C, Wang W, Poklis JL, Lichtman AH, Ritter JK, Hu G, Xie D, Li N. Inactivation of fatty acid amide hydrolase protects against ischemic reperfusion injury-induced renal fibrogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2022; 1868:166456. [PMID: 35710061 PMCID: PMC10215004 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2022.166456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although cannabinoid receptors (CB) are recognized as targets for renal fibrosis, the roles of endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AEA) and its primary hydrolytic enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), in renal fibrogenesis remain unclear. The present study used a mouse model of post-ischemia-reperfusion renal injury (PIR) to test the hypothesis that FAAH participates in the renal fibrogenesis. Our results demonstrated that PIR showed upregulated expression of FAAH in renal proximal tubules, accompanied with decreased AEA levels in kidneys. Faah knockout mice recovered the reduced AEA levels and ameliorated PIR-triggered increases in blood urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine as well as renal profibrogenic markers and injuries. Correspondingly, a selective FAAH inhibitor, PF-04457845, inhibited the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced profibrogenic markers in human proximal tubular cell line (HK-2 cells) and mouse primary cultured tubular cells. Knockdown of FAAH by siRNA in HK-2 cells had similar effects as PF-04457845. Tubular cells isolated from Faah-/- mice further validated the protection against TGF-β1-induced damages. The CB 1 or CB2 receptor antagonist and exogenous FAAH metabolite arachidonic acid failed to reverse the protective effects of FAAH inactivation in HK-2 cells. However, a substrate-selective inhibitor of AEA-cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pathway significantly suppressed the anti-profibrogenic actions of FAAH inhibition. Further, the AEA-COX-2 metabolite, prostamide E2 exerted anti-fibrogenesis effect. These findings suggest that FAAH activation and the consequent reduction of AEA contribute to the renal fibrogenesis, and that FAAH inhibition protects against fibrogenesis in renal cells independently of CB receptors via the AEA-COX-2 pathway by the recovery of reduced AEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoling Chen
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Weili Wang
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Joseph K Ritter
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Gaizun Hu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Dengpiao Xie
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Ningjun Li
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
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13
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Chen C, Wang W, Ritter JK, Lichtman AH, Gewirtz DA, Li N. Knockout of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene attenuates cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity in mice. FASEB J 2022. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.s1.r5929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chaoling Chen
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
| | - Weili Wang
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
| | - Joseph K. Ritter
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
| | - David A. Gewirtz
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
| | - Ningjun Li
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
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14
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Chen C, Wang W, Ritter JK, Lichtman AH, Li P, Li N. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibition mitigates TGF‐β1‐induced fibrogenesis via the anandamide‐COX‐2‐dependent pathway. FASEB J 2022. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.s1.r5597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chaoling Chen
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
| | - Weili Wang
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
| | - Joseph K. Ritter
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
| | - Pin‐Lan Li
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
| | - Ningjun Li
- Pharmacology and toxicology departmentVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVA
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15
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Xu C, Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Xu C, Nath B, Mistry T, Jiang W, Niphakis MJ, Cravatt BF, Mukhopadhyay S, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Fitting S. Inhibitory Neurotransmission Is Sex-Dependently Affected by Tat Expression in Transgenic Mice and Suppressed by the Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Enzyme Inhibitor PF3845 via Cannabinoid Type-1 Receptor Mechanisms. Cells 2022; 11:cells11050857. [PMID: 35269478 PMCID: PMC8909692 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, which regulates physiological and cognitive processes, presents a promising therapeutic target for treating HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Here we examine whether upregulating eCB tone has potential protective effects against HIV-1 Tat (a key HIV transactivator of transcription) protein-induced alterations in synaptic activity. (2) Methods. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to assess inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission in prefrontal cortex slices of Tat transgenic male and female mice, in the presence and absence of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme inhibitor PF3845. Western blot and mass spectrometry analyses assessed alterations of cannabinoid receptor and enzyme protein expression as well as endogenous ligands, respectively, to determine the impact of Tat exposure on the eCB system. (3) Results. GABAergic activity was significantly altered upon Tat exposure based on sex, whereas the effectiveness of PF3845 to suppress GABAergic activity in Tat transgenic mice was not altered by Tat or sex and involved CB1R-related mechanisms that depended on calcium signaling. Additionally, our data indicated sex-dependent changes for AEA and related non-eCB lipids based on Tat induction. (4) Conclusion. Results highlight sex- and/or Tat-dependent alterations of GABAergic activity and eCB signaling in the prefrontal cortex of Tat transgenic mice and further increase our understanding about the role of FAAH inhibition in neuroHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
| | - Barkha J. Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
| | - Callie Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
| | - Bhupendra Nath
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (B.N.); (T.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Twisha Mistry
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (B.N.); (T.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Micah J. Niphakis
- Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (M.J.N.); (B.F.C.)
| | - Benjamin F. Cravatt
- Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (M.J.N.); (B.F.C.)
| | - Somnath Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA; (B.N.); (T.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA;
| | | | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (C.X.); (B.J.Y.-S.); (C.X.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-919-962-6595
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16
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Dodu JC, Moncayo RK, Damaj MI, Schlosburg JE, Akbarali HI, O'Brien LD, Kendall DA, Wu Z, Lu D, Lichtman AH. The Cannabinoid Receptor Type 1 Positive Allosteric Modulator ZCZ011 Attenuates Naloxone-Precipitated Diarrhea and Weight Loss in Oxycodone-Dependent Mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 380:1-14. [PMID: 34625464 PMCID: PMC8969135 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid use disorder reflects a major public health crisis of morbidity and mortality in which opioid withdrawal often contributes to continued use. However, current medications that treat opioid withdrawal symptoms are limited by their abuse liability or lack of efficacy. Although cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor agonists, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, ameliorate opioid withdrawal in both clinical and preclinical studies of opioid dependence, this strategy elicits cannabimimetic side effects as well as tolerance and dependence after repeated administration. Alternatively, CB1 receptor positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) enhance CB1 receptor signaling and show efficacy in rodent models of pain and cannabinoid dependence but lack cannabimimetic side effects. We hypothesize that the CB1 receptor PAM ZCZ011 attenuates naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs in opioid-dependent mice. Accordingly, male and female mice given an escalating dosing regimen of oxycodone, a widely prescribed opioid, and challenged with naloxone displayed withdrawal signs that included diarrhea, weight loss, jumping, paw flutters, and head shakes. ZCZ011 fully attenuated naloxone-precipitated withdrawal-induced diarrhea and weight loss and reduced paw flutters by approximately half, but its effects on head shakes were unreliable, and it did not affect jumping behavior. The antidiarrheal and anti-weight loss effects of ZCZ0111 were reversed by a CB1 not a cannabinoid receptor type 2 receptor antagonist and were absent in CB1 (-/-) mice, suggesting a necessary role of CB1 receptors. Collectively, these results indicate that ZCZ011 completely blocked naloxone-precipitated diarrhea and weight loss in oxycodone-dependent mice and suggest that CB1 receptor PAMs may offer a novel strategy to treat opioid dependence. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Opioid use disorder represents a serious public health crisis in which current medications used to treat withdrawal symptoms are limited by abuse liability and side effects. The CB1 receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) ZCZ011, which lacks overt cannabimimetic behavioral effects, ameliorated naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs through a CB1 receptor mechanism of action in a mouse model of oxycodone dependence. These results suggest that CB1 receptor PAMs may represent a viable strategy to treat opioid withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien C Dodu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Rebecca K Moncayo
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Joel E Schlosburg
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Hamid I Akbarali
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Lesley D O'Brien
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Debra A Kendall
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Zhixing Wu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Dai Lu
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology (J.C.D., R.K.M., M.I.D., J.E.S., H.I.A., L.D.O., A.H.L.), and Department of Medicinal Chemistry (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut (D.A.K.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas (Z.W., D.L.)
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Ward SJ, Lichtman AH, Piomelli D, Parker LA. Cannabinoids and Cancer Chemotherapy-Associated Adverse Effects. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2021; 2021:78-85. [PMID: 34850893 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgab007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of cannabis is not unfamiliar to many cancer patients, as there is a long history of its use for cancer pain and/or pain, nausea, and cachexia induced by cancer treatment. To date, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved 2 cannabis-based pharmacotherapies for the treatment of cancer chemotherapy-associated adverse effects: dronabinol and nabilone. Over the proceeding decades, both research investigating and societal attitudes toward the potential utility of cannabinoids for a range of indications have progressed dramatically. The following monograph highlights recent preclinical research focusing on promising cannabinoid-based approaches for the treatment of the 2 most common adverse effects of cancer chemotherapy: chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Both plant-derived and synthetic approaches are discussed, as is the potential relative safety and effectiveness of these approaches in relation to current treatment options, including opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Jane Ward
- Department of Neural Sciences, Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Center for the Study of Cannabis, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Ayoub SM, Piscitelli F, Silvestri C, Limebeer CL, Rock EM, Smoum R, Farag M, de Almeida H, Sullivan MT, Lacroix S, Boubertakh B, Nallabelli N, Lichtman AH, Leri F, Mechoulam R, Di Marzo V, Parker LA. Spontaneous and Naloxone-Precipitated Withdrawal Behaviors From Chronic Opiates are Accompanied by Changes in N-Oleoylglycine and N-Oleoylalanine Levels in the Brain and Ameliorated by Treatment With These Mediators. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:706703. [PMID: 34603019 PMCID: PMC8479102 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.706703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The endocannabinoidome mediators, N-Oleoylglycine (OlGly) and N-Oleoylalanine (OlAla), have been shown to reduce acute naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal affective and somatic responses. Objectives: To determine the role and mechanism of action of OlGly and OlAla in withdrawal responses from chronic exposure to opiates in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: Opiate withdrawal was produced: 1) spontaneously 24 h following chronic exposure to escalating doses of morphine over 14 days (Experiments 1 and 2) and steady-state exposure to heroin by minipumps for 12 days (Experiment 3), 2) by naloxone injection during steady-state heroin exposure (Experiment 4), 3) by naloxone injection during operant heroin self-administration (Experiment 5). Results: In Experiment 1, spontaneous morphine withdrawal produced somatic withdrawal reactions. The behavioral withdrawal reactions were accompanied by suppressed endogenous levels of OlGly in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, N-Arachidonylglycerol and OlAla in the amygdala, 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala and interoceptive insular cortex, and by changes in colonic microbiota composition. In Experiment 2, treatment with OlAla, but not OlGly, reduced spontaneous morphine withdrawal responses. In Experiment 3, OlAla attenuated spontaneous steady-state heroin withdrawal responses at both 5 and 20 mg/kg; OlGly only reduced withdrawal responses at the higher dose of 20 mg/kg. Experiment 4 demonstrated that naloxone-precipitated heroin withdrawal from steady-state exposure to heroin (7 mg/kg/day for 12 days) is accompanied by tissue-specific changes in brain or gut endocannabinoidome mediator, including OlGly and OlAla, levels and colonic microbiota composition, and that OlAla (5 mg/kg) attenuated behavioural withdrawal reactions, while also reversing some of the changes in brain and gut endocannabinoidome and gut microbiota induced by naloxone. Experiment 5 demonstrated that although OlAla (5 mg/kg) did not interfere with operant heroin self-administration on its own, it blocked naloxone-precipitated elevation of heroin self-administration behavior. Conclusion: These results suggest that OlAla and OlGly are two endogenous mediators whose brain concentrations respond to chronic opiate treatment and withdrawal concomitantly with changes in colon microbiota composition, and that OlAla may be more effective than OlGly in suppressing chronic opiate withdrawal responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Ayoub
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Endocannabinoid Research Group Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Pozzuli, Italy
| | - Cristoforo Silvestri
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec, Faculty of Medicine, Centre NUTRISS, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Cheryl L Limebeer
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Erin M Rock
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Reem Smoum
- Institute of Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mathew Farag
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Hannah de Almeida
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Megan T Sullivan
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Sébastien Lacroix
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec, Faculty of Medicine, Centre NUTRISS, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Besma Boubertakh
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec, Faculty of Medicine, Centre NUTRISS, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Nayudu Nallabelli
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec, Faculty of Medicine, Centre NUTRISS, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Francesco Leri
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute of Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Endocannabinoid Research Group Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Pozzuli, Italy.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec, Faculty of Medicine, Centre NUTRISS, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, INAF, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome/Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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19
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League AF, Gorman BL, Hermes DJ, Johnson CT, Jacobs IR, Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Poklis JL, Niphakis MJ, Cravatt BF, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Fitting S. Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitor MJN110 Reduces Neuronal Hyperexcitability, Restores Dendritic Arborization Complexity, and Regulates Reward-Related Behavior in Presence of HIV-1 Tat. Front Neurol 2021; 12:651272. [PMID: 34484091 PMCID: PMC8415271 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.651272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
While current therapeutic strategies for people living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) suppress virus replication peripherally, viral proteins such as transactivator of transcription (Tat) enter the central nervous system early upon infection and contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions even alongside antiretroviral treatment. As demand grows for supplemental strategies to combat virus-associated pathology presenting frequently as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), the present study aimed to characterize the potential utility of inhibiting monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) activity to increase inhibitory activity at cannabinoid receptor-type 1 receptors through upregulation of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and downregulation of its degradation into proinflammatory metabolite arachidonic acid (AA). The MAGL inhibitor MJN110 significantly reduced intracellular calcium and increased dendritic branching complexity in Tat-treated primary frontal cortex neuron cultures. Chronic MJN110 administration in vivo increased 2-AG levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum across Tat(+) and Tat(–) groups and restored PFC N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) levels in Tat(+) subjects. While Tat expression significantly increased rate of reward-related behavioral task acquisition in a novel discriminative stimulus learning and cognitive flexibility assay, MJN110 altered reversal acquisition specifically in Tat(+) mice to rates indistinguishable from Tat(–) controls. Collectively, our results suggest a neuroprotective role of MAGL inhibition in reducing neuronal hyperexcitability, restoring dendritic arborization complexity, and mitigating neurocognitive alterations driven by viral proteins associated with latent HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis F League
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Benjamin L Gorman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Douglas J Hermes
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Clare T Johnson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Ian R Jacobs
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Barkha J Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | | | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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20
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Meade JA, Fowlkes AN, Wood MJ, Kurtz MC, May MM, Toma WB, Warncke UO, Mann J, Mustafa M, Lichtman AH, Damaj MI. Effects of chemotherapy on operant responding for palatable food in male and female mice. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:422-434. [PMID: 34050046 PMCID: PMC8266730 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Patients treated with cancer chemotherapeutics frequently report chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), changes in mood (depression and anxiety) and functional impairments. Rodent models of CIPN elicit limited alterations in functional behaviors, which pose challenges in developing preclinical models of chemotherapy-induced behavioral depression. The study examined the consequences of chemotherapy-induced mechanical hypersensitivity (paclitaxel: 32 or 64 mg/kg, cumulative; oxaliplatin: 30 mg/kg, cumulative) on behavioral depression, as measured with operant responding for palatable food during periods of food restriction and ad libitum chow, consumption of noncontingently available palatable food in the presence of ad libitum chow, and voluntary wheel running. The study employed two inbred mouse strains (C57BL/6J and Balb/cJ) and examined potential sex differences. All chemotherapeutic regimens caused profound mechanical hypersensitivity for the duration of the observation periods (up to 7 months), but no treatments changed voluntary wheel running or consumption of noncontingent palatable food. The high dose of paclitaxel temporarily reduced operant responding for palatable food in male C57BL/6J mice undergoing food restriction or maintained on ad libitum chow. However, paclitaxel failed to decrease operant responding for palatable food in free-feeding female C57BL/6J mice or Balb/cJ mice of either sex. Moreover, oxaliplatin did not significantly alter operant responding for palatable food in male or female C57BL/6J mice maintained on ad libitum chow. These findings demonstrate a dissociation between chemotherapy-induced mechanical hypersensitivity and behavioral depression. The transient effects of paclitaxel on operant responding in male C57BL/6J mice may represent a fleeting behavioral correlate of chemotherapy-associated pain-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Urszula O Warncke
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Center for Clinical and Translational Research, School of Medicine
| | - Jared Mann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
| | | | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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21
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O'Brien LD, Smith TL, Donvito G, Cravatt BF, Newton J, Spiegel S, Reeves TM, Phillips LL, Lichtman AH. Diacylglycerol Lipase-β Knockout Mice Display a Sex-Dependent Attenuation of Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Mortality with No Impact on Memory or Other Functional Consequences. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2021; 6:508-521. [PMID: 34142866 DOI: 10.1089/can.2020.0175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The endogenous cannabinoid system modulates inflammatory signaling in a variety of pathological states, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). The selective expression of diacylglycerol lipase-β (DAGL-β), the 2-arachidonylglycerol biosynthetic enzyme, on resident immune cells of the brain (microglia) and the role of this pathway in neuroinflammation, suggest that this enzyme may contribute to TBI-induced neuroinflammation. Accordingly, we tested whether DAGL-β-/- mice would show a protective phenotype from the deleterious consequences of TBI on cognitive and neurological motor functions. Materials and Methods: DAGL-β-/- and -β+/+ mice were subjected to the lateral fluid percussion model of TBI and assessed for learning and memory in the Morris water maze (MWM) Fixed Platform (reference memory) and Reversal (cognitive flexibility) tasks, as well as in a cued MWM task to infer potential sensorimotor/motivational deficits. In addition, subjects were assessed for motor behavior (Rotarod and the Neurological Severity Score assays) and in the light/dark box and the elevated plus maze to infer whether these manipulations affected anxiety-like behavior. Finally, we also examined whether brain injury disrupts the ceramide/sphingolipid lipid signaling system and if DAGL-β deletion offers protection. Results: TBI disrupted all measures of neurological motor function and reduced body weight, but did not affect body temperature or performance in common assays used to infer anxiety. TBI also impaired performance in MWM Fixed Platform and Reversal tasks, but did not affect cued MWM performance. Although no differences were found between DAGL-β-/- and -β+/+ mice in any of these measures, male DAGL-β-/- mice displayed an unexpected survival-protective phenotype, which persisted at increased injury severities. In contrast, TBI did not elicit mortality in female mice regardless of genotype. TBI also produced significant changes in sphingolipid profiles (a family of lipids, members of which have been linked to both apoptotic and antiapoptotic pathways), in which DAGL-β deletion modestly altered levels of select species. Conclusions: These findings indicate that although DAGL-β does not play a necessary role in TBI-induced cognitive and neurological function, it appears to contribute to the increased vulnerability of male mice to TBI-induced mortality, whereas female mice show high survival rates irrespective of DAGL-β expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley D O'Brien
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Terry L Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jason Newton
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Sarah Spiegel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Thomas M Reeves
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Linda L Phillips
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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22
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Diester CM, Lichtman AH, Negus SS. Behavioral Battery for Testing Candidate Analgesics in Mice. II. Effects of Endocannabinoid Catabolic Enzyme Inhibitors and ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2021; 377:242-253. [PMID: 33622769 PMCID: PMC8058502 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.121.000497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhanced signaling of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system through inhibition of the catabolic enzymes monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has received increasing interest for development of candidate analgesics. This study compared effects of MAGL and FAAH inhibitors with effects of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) using a battery of pain-stimulated, pain-depressed, and pain-independent behaviors in male and female mice. Intraperitoneal injection of dilute lactic acid (IP acid) served as an acute visceral noxious stimulus to stimulate two behaviors (stretching, facial grimace) and depress two behaviors (rearing, nesting). Nesting and locomotion were also assessed in the absence of IP acid as pain-independent behaviors. THC and a spectrum of six eCB catabolic enzyme inhibitors ranging from MAGL- to FAAH-selective were assessed for effectiveness to alleviate pain-related behaviors at doses that did not alter pain-independent behaviors. The MAGL-selective inhibitor MJN110 produced the most effective antinociceptive profile, with 1.0 mg/kg alleviating IP acid effects on stretching, grimace, and nesting without altering pain-independent behaviors. MJN110 effects on IP acid-depressed nesting had a slow onset and long duration (40 minutes to 6 hours), were blocked by rimonabant, and tended to be greater in females. As inhibitors increased in FAAH selectivity, antinociceptive effectiveness decreased. PF3845, the most FAAH-selective inhibitor, produced no antinociception up to doses that disrupted locomotion. THC decreased IP acid-stimulated stretching and grimace at doses that did not alter pain-independent behaviors; however, it did not alleviate IP acid-induced depression of rearing or nesting. These results support further consideration of MAGL-selective inhibitors as candidate analgesics for acute inflammatory pain. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study characterized a spectrum of endocannabinoid catabolic enzyme inhibitors ranging in selectivity from monoacylglycerol lipase-selective to fatty acid amide hydrolase-selective in a battery of pain-stimulated, pain-depressed, and pain-independent behaviors previously pharmacologically characterized in a companion paper. This battery provides a method for prioritizing candidate analgesics by effectiveness to alleviate pain-related behaviors at doses that do not alter pain-independent behaviors, with inclusion of pain-depressed behaviors increasing translational validity and decreasing susceptibility to motor-depressant false positives.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Diester
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (C.M.D., A.H.L., S.S.N.), School of Pharmacy (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - A H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (C.M.D., A.H.L., S.S.N.), School of Pharmacy (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - S S Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (C.M.D., A.H.L., S.S.N.), School of Pharmacy (A.H.L.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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23
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Hermes DJ, Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Xu C, Paniccia JE, Meeker RB, Armstrong ML, Reisdorph N, Cravatt BF, Mackie K, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Lysle DT, Fitting S. GPR18 drives FAAH inhibition-induced neuroprotection against HIV-1 Tat-induced neurodegeneration. Exp Neurol 2021; 341:113699. [PMID: 33736974 PMCID: PMC8984429 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is known to provoke microglial immune responses which likely play a paramount role in the development of chronic neuroinflammatory conditions and neuronal damage related to HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). In particular, HIV-1 Tat protein is a proinflammatory neurotoxin which predisposes neurons to synaptodendritic injury. Drugs targeting the degradative enzymes of endogenous cannabinoids have shown promise in reducing inflammation with minimal side effects in rodent models. Considering that markers of neuroinflammation can predict the extent of neuronal injury in HAND patients, we evaluated the neurotoxic effect of HIV-1 Tat-exposed microglia following blockade of fatty acid amid hydrolyze (FAAH), a catabolic enzyme responsible for degradation of endocannabinoids, e.g. anandamide (AEA). In the present study, cultured murine microglia were incubated with Tat and/or a FAAH inhibitor (PF3845). After 24 h, cells were imaged for morphological analysis and microglial conditioned media (MCM) was collected. Frontal cortex neuron cultures (DIV 7–11) were then exposed to MCM, and neurotoxicity was assessed via live cell calcium imaging and staining of actin positive dendritic structures. Results demonstrate a strong attenuation of microglial responses to Tat by PF3845 pretreatment, which is indicated by 1) microglial changes in morphology to a less proinflammatory phenotype using fractal analysis, 2) a decrease in release of neurotoxic cytokines/chemokines (MCP-1/CCL2) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs; MMP-9) using ELISA/multiplex assays, and 3) enhanced production of endocannabinoids (AEA) using LC/MS/MS. Additionally, PF3845’s effects on Tat-induced microglial-mediated neurotoxicity, decreased dysregulation of neuronal intracellular calcium and prevented the loss of actin-positive staining and punctate structure in frontal cortex neuron cultures. Interestingly, these observed neuroprotective effects appeared to be independent of cannabinoid receptor activity (CB1R & CB2R). We found that a purported GPR18 antagonist, CID-85469571, blocked the neuroprotective effects of PF3845 in all experiments. Collectively, these experiments increase understanding of the role of FAAH inhibition and Tat in mediating microglial neurotoxicity in the HAND condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Hermes
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America.
| | - Barkha J Yadav-Samudrala
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline E Paniccia
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Rick B Meeker
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Michael L Armstrong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Nichole Reisdorph
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO, United States of America
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | | | - Donald T Lysle
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America.
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24
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Rock EM, Limebeer CL, Sullivan MT, DeVuono MV, Lichtman AH, Di Marzo V, Mechoulam R, Parker LA. N-Oleoylglycine and N-Oleoylalanine Do Not Modify Tolerance to Nociception, Hyperthermia, and Suppression of Activity Produced by Morphine. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:620145. [PMID: 33767617 PMCID: PMC7985545 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.620145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The endogenous amide N-Oleoylglycine (OlGly) and its analog N-Oleoylalanine (OlAla), have been shown to interfere with the affective and somatic responses to acute naloxone-precipitated MWD in male rats. Here we evaluated the potential of a single dose (5 mg/kg, ip) which alleviates withdrawal of these endogenous fatty acid amides to modify tolerance to anti-nociception, hyperthermia, and suppression of locomotion produced by morphine in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Although rats did develop tolerance to the hypolocomotor and analgesic effects of morphine, they did not develop tolerance to the hyperthermic effects of this substance. Administration of neither OlGly nor OlAla interfered with the establishment of morphine tolerance, nor did they modify behavioral responses elicited by morphine on any trial. These results suggest that the effects of OlGly and OlAla on opiate dependence may be limited to naloxone-precipitated withdrawal effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Rock
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Cheryl L Limebeer
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Megan T Sullivan
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Marieka V DeVuono
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Naples, Italy.,Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Gut Microbiome/Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, CRIYUCPQ, INAF and Centre NUTRISS, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Drug Research, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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25
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Hermes DJ, Jacobs IR, Key MC, League AF, Yadav-Samudrala BJ, Xu C, McLane VD, Nass SR, Jiang W, Meeker RB, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Lichtman AH, Li Z, Wu Z, Yuan H, Knapp PE, Hauser KF, Fitting S. Escalating morphine dosing in HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice with sustained Tat exposure reveals an allostatic shift in neuroinflammatory regulation accompanied by increased neuroprotective non-endocannabinoid lipid signaling molecules and amino acids. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:345. [PMID: 33208151 PMCID: PMC7672881 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01971-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and opiates cause long-term inflammatory insult to the central nervous system (CNS) and worsen disease progression and HIV-1-related neuropathology. The combination of these proinflammatory factors reflects a devastating problem as opioids have high abuse liability and continue to be prescribed for certain patients experiencing HIV-1-related pain. METHODS Here, we examined the impact of chronic (3-month) HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) exposure to short-term (8-day), escalating morphine in HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice that express the HIV-1 Tat protein in a GFAP promoter-regulated, doxycycline (DOX)-inducible manner. In addition to assessing morphine-induced tolerance in nociceptive responses organized at spinal (i.e., tail-flick) and supraspinal (i.e., hot-plate) levels, we evaluated neuroinflammation via positron emission tomography (PET) imaging using the [18F]-PBR111 ligand, immunohistochemistry, and cytokine analyses. Further, we examined endocannabinoid (eCB) levels, related non-eCB lipids, and amino acids via mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Tat-expressing [Tat(+)] transgenic mice displayed antinociceptive tolerance in the tail withdrawal and hot-plate assays compared to control mice lacking Tat [Tat(-)]. This tolerance was accompanied by morphine-dependent increases in Iba-1 ± 3-nitrotryosine immunoreactive microglia, and alterations in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines in the spinal cord and striatum, while increases in neuroinflammation were absent by PET imaging of [18F]-PBR111 uptake. Tat and morphine exposure differentially affected eCB levels, non-eCB lipids, and specific amino acids in a region-dependent manner. In the striatum, non-eCB lipids were significantly increased by short-term, escalating morphine exposure, including peroxisome proliferator activator receptor alpha (PPAR-α) ligands N-oleoyl ethanolamide (OEA) and N-palmitoyl ethanolamide (PEA), as well as the amino acids phenylalanine and proline. In the spinal cord, Tat exposure increased amino acids leucine and valine, while morphine decreased levels of tyrosine and valine but did not affect eCBs or non-eCB lipids. CONCLUSION Overall results demonstrate that 3 months of Tat exposure increased morphine tolerance and potentially innate immune tolerance evidenced by reductions in specific cytokines (e.g., IL-1α, IL-12p40) and microglial reactivity. In contrast, short-term, escalating morphine exposure acted as a secondary stressor revealing an allostatic shift in CNS baseline inflammatory responsiveness from sustained Tat exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Hermes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ian R Jacobs
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Megan C Key
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alexis F League
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Virginia D McLane
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rick B Meeker
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Zibo Li
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Zhanhong Wu
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Hong Yuan
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Pamela E Knapp
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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26
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Ayoub SM, Smoum R, Farag M, Atwal H, Collins SA, Rock EM, Limebeer CL, Piscitelli F, Iannotti FA, Lichtman AH, Leri F, Di Marzo V, Mechoulam R, Parker LA. Oleoyl alanine (HU595): a stable monomethylated oleoyl glycine interferes with acute naloxone precipitated morphine withdrawal in male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:2753-2765. [PMID: 32556401 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05570-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Oleoyl glycine, a little studied fatty acid amide similar in structure to anandamide, interferes with nicotine addiction in mice and acute naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal (MWD) in rats. Because endogenous oleoyl glycine is subject to rapid enzymatic deactivation, we evaluated the potential of more stable analogs to interfere with opiate withdrawal. OBJECTIVES The potential of monomethylated oleoyl glycine (oleoyl alanine, HU595) to interfere with somatic and aversive effects of acute naloxone-precipitated MWD, its duration, and mechanism of action was assessed in male Sprague Dawley rats. The potential of dimethylated oleoyl glycine (HU596) to interfere with the aversive effects of naloxone-precipitated MWD was also investigated. RESULTS Oleoyl alanine (HU595) interfered with somatic and aversive effects produced by naloxone-precipitated MWD at equivalent doses (1 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) as we have reported for oleoyl glycine; however, oleoyl alanine produced a longer lasting (60 min) interference, yet did not produce rewarding or aversive effects on its own and did not modify locomotor activity. HU596 was not effective. The interference with aversive effects of naloxone-precipitated MWD by oleoyl alanine was prevented by both a PPARα antagonist and a CB1 receptor antagonist. Accordingly, the compound was found to inhibit FAAH and activate PPARα in vitro. Finally, oleoyl alanine also reduced acute naloxone-precipitated MWD anhedonia, as measured by decreased saccharin preference. CONCLUSIONS Oleoyl alanine (also an endogenous fatty acid) may be a more stable and effective treatment for opiate withdrawal than oleoyl glycine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Ayoub
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Reem Smoum
- Institute of Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mathew Farag
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Harkirat Atwal
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Stephen A Collins
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Erin M Rock
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Cheryl L Limebeer
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Arturo Iannotti
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Francesco Leri
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.,Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome/Endocannabinoid Axis in Metabolomic Health, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute of Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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27
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Muldoon PP, Akinola LS, Schlosburg JE, Lichtman AH, Sim-Selley LJ, Mahadevan A, Cravatt BF, Damaj MI. Inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase reduces nicotine reward in the conditioned place preference test in male mice. Neuropharmacology 2020; 176:108170. [PMID: 32479813 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine, the primary psychoactive component in tobacco, plays a major role in the initiation and maintenance of tobacco dependence and addiction, a leading cause of preventable death worldwide. An essential need thus exists for more effective pharmacotherapies for nicotine-use cessation. Previous reports suggest that pharmacological and genetic blockade of CB1 receptors attenuate nicotine reinforcement and reward; while exogenous agonists enhanced these abuse-related behaviors. In this study, we utilized complementary genetic and pharmacologic approaches to test the hypothesis that increasing the levels of the endocannabinoid 2-arachindonoylglycerol (2-AG), will enhance nicotine reward by stimulating neuronal CB1 receptors. Contrary to our hypothesis, we found that inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the primary catabolic enzyme of 2-AG, attenuates nicotine conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice, through a non-CB1 receptor-mediated mechanism. MAGL inhibition did not alter palatable food reward or Lithium Chloride (LiCl) aversion. In support of our findings, repeated MAGL inhibition did not induce a reduction in CB1 brain receptor levels or hinder function. To explore the potential mechanism of action, we investigated if MAGL inhibition affected other fatty acid levels in our CPP paradigm. Indeed, MAGL inhibition caused a concomitant decrease in arachidonic acid (AA) levels in various brain regions of interest, suggesting an AA cascade-dependent mechanism. This idea is supported by dose-dependent attenuation of nicotine preference by the selective COX-2 inhibitors valdecoxib and LM-4131. Collectively, these findings, along with our reported studies on nicotine withdrawal, suggest that inhibition of MAGL represents a promising new target for the development of pharmacotherapies to treat nicotine dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pretal P Muldoon
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Lois S Akinola
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Joel E Schlosburg
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Laura J Sim-Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemistry, The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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28
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Ulker E, Caillaud M, Patel T, White A, Rashid D, Alqasem M, Lichtman AH, Bryant CD, Damaj MI. C57BL/6 substrain differences in formalin-induced pain-like behavioral responses. Behav Brain Res 2020; 390:112698. [PMID: 32428630 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Substantial evidence from preclinical models of pain suggests that basal and noxious nociceptive sensitivity, as well as antinociceptive responses to drugs, show significant heritability. Individual differences to these responses have been observed across species from rodents to humans. The use of closely related C57BL/6 inbred mouse substrains can facilitate gene mapping of acute nociceptive behaviors in preclinical pain models. In this study, we investigated behavioral differences between C57BL/6 J (B6 J) and C57BL/6 N (B6 N) substrains in the formalin test, a widely used tonic inflammatory pain model, using a battery of pain-related phenotypes, including reflexive tests, nesting, voluntary wheel running, sucrose preference and anxiety-like behavior in the light/dark test at two different time points (1-h and 24-h). Our results show that these substrains did not differ in reflexive thermal and mechanical responses at the 1-h time point. However, B6 N substrain mice showed increased sensitivity to spontaneous pain-like behaviors. In addition, B6 N substrain continued to show higher levels of mechanical hypersensitivity compared to controls at 24-h. indicating that mechanical hypersensitivity is a more persistent pain-related phenotype induced by formalin. Finally, no sex differences were observed in our outcome measures. Our results provide a comprehensive behavioral testing paradigm in response to an inflammatory agent for future mouse genetic studies in pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esad Ulker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA.
| | - Martial Caillaud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Trusha Patel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Alyssa White
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Danyal Rashid
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Mashael Alqasem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Camron D Bryant
- Laboratory of Addiction Genetics, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Translational Research Initiative for Pain and Neuropathy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
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29
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Mock ED, Mustafa M, Gunduz-Cinar O, Cinar R, Petrie GN, Kantae V, Di X, Ogasawara D, Varga ZV, Paloczi J, Miliano C, Donvito G, van Esbroeck ACM, van der Gracht AMF, Kotsogianni I, Park JK, Martella A, van der Wel T, Soethoudt M, Jiang M, Wendel TJ, Janssen APA, Bakker AT, Donovan CM, Castillo LI, Florea BI, Wat J, van den Hurk H, Wittwer M, Grether U, Holmes A, van Boeckel CAA, Hankemeier T, Cravatt BF, Buczynski MW, Hill MN, Pacher P, Lichtman AH, van der Stelt M. Discovery of a NAPE-PLD inhibitor that modulates emotional behavior in mice. Nat Chem Biol 2020; 16:667-675. [PMID: 32393901 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0528-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
N-acylethanolamines (NAEs), which include the endocannabinoid anandamide, represent an important family of signaling lipids in the brain. The lack of chemical probes that modulate NAE biosynthesis in living systems hamper the understanding of the biological role of these lipids. Using a high-throughput screen, chemical proteomics and targeted lipidomics, we report here the discovery and characterization of LEI-401 as a CNS-active N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPE-PLD) inhibitor. LEI-401 reduced NAE levels in neuroblastoma cells and in the brain of freely moving mice, but not in NAPE-PLD KO cells and mice, respectively. LEI-401 activated the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and impaired fear extinction, thereby emulating the effect of a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, which could be reversed by a fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor. Our findings highlight the distinctive role of NAPE-PLD in NAE biosynthesis in the brain and suggest the presence of an endogenous NAE tone controlling emotional behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot D Mock
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mohammed Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Ozge Gunduz-Cinar
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Resat Cinar
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gavin N Petrie
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Vasudev Kantae
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Analytical Biosciences and Metabolomics, Division of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Xinyu Di
- Analytical Biosciences and Metabolomics, Division of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Daisuke Ogasawara
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zoltan V Varga
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Janos Paloczi
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cristina Miliano
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Annelot C M van Esbroeck
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Anouk M F van der Gracht
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ioli Kotsogianni
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Joshua K Park
- Laboratory of Physiologic Studies, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrea Martella
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tom van der Wel
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Soethoudt
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ming Jiang
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tiemen J Wendel
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Antonius P A Janssen
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Oncode Institute, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Alexander T Bakker
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Colleen M Donovan
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Laura I Castillo
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bogdan I Florea
- Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jesse Wat
- Pivot Park Screening Centre B.V., Oss, the Netherlands
| | | | - Matthias Wittwer
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Grether
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Constant A A van Boeckel
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Pivot Park Screening Centre B.V., Oss, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Hankemeier
- Analytical Biosciences and Metabolomics, Division of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matthew W Buczynski
- School of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Matthew N Hill
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Pal Pacher
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Tissue Injury, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mario van der Stelt
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands. .,Oncode Institute, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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30
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Piscitelli F, Guida F, Luongo L, Iannotti FA, Boccella S, Verde R, Lauritano A, Imperatore R, Smoum R, Cristino L, Lichtman AH, Parker LA, Mechoulam R, Maione S, Di Marzo V. Protective Effects of N-Oleoylglycine in a Mouse Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1117-1128. [PMID: 32017529 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the main causes of death in young people for which currently no efficacious treatment exists. Recently, we have reported that mice with mild-TBI with a specific injury in the insula showed elevated levels of a little investigated N-acyl amino acid, N-oleoylglycine (OlGly). N-acyl amino acids have recently experienced an increased interest because of their important biological activities. They belong to the endocannabinoidome family of lipids with structural similarities with the endocannabinoids (eCBs). The aim of this study was to test the neuroprotective and antihyperalgesic actions of OlGly in a model of mouse mild-TBI (mTBI) and its effect on levels of eCBs and N-acylethanolamines at the end of treatment. Following mTBI, mice were administered a daily injection of OlGly (10-50-100 mg/kg i.p.) for 14 days. Treatment with OlGly normalized motor impairment and behavior in the light/dark box test, ameliorated TBI-induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, and normalized aggressiveness and depression. Moreover, levels of eCBs and some N-acylethanolamines underwent significant changes 60 days after TBI, especially in the prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus, and OlGly reversed some of these changes. In conclusion, our findings reveal that OlGly ameliorates the behavioral alterations associated with mTBI in mice, while concomitantly modulating eCB and eCB-like mediator tone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Piscitelli
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Guida
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Livio Luongo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Arturo Iannotti
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Serena Boccella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Verde
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Lauritano
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Imperatore
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Reem Smoum
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Luigia Cristino
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Linda A. Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Pharmacology Division, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- National Research Council, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
- Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
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31
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Mustafa M, Donvito G, Moncayo L, Swafford A, Poklis J, Grauer R, Olszewska T, Ignatowska-Jankowska B, Kendall DA, Lu D, Lichtman AH. In vivo evaluation of the CB1 allosteric modulator LDK1258 reveals CB1-receptor independent behavioral effects. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 190:172840. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.172840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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32
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Rock EM, Ayoub SM, Limebeer CL, Gene A, Wills KL, DeVuono MV, Smoum R, Di Marzo V, Lichtman AH, Mechoulam R, Parker LA. Acute naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal elicits nausea-like somatic behaviors in rats in a manner suppressed by N-oleoylglycine. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:375-384. [PMID: 31712968 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05373-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Acute naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal (MWD) produces a conditioned place aversion (CPA) in rats even after one or two exposures to high-dose (20 mg/kg, sc) morphine followed 24-h later by naloxone (1 mg/kg, sc). However, the somatic withdrawal reactions produced by acute naloxone-precipitated MWD in rats have not been investigated. A recently discovered fatty acid amide, N-oleoylglycine (OlGly), which has been suggested to act as a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor and as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonist, was previously shown to interfere with a naloxone-precipitated MWD-induced CPA in rats. OBJECTIVES The aims of these studies were to examine the somatic withdrawal responses produced by acute naloxone-precipitated MWD and determine whether OlGly can also interfere with these responses. RESULTS Here, we report that following two exposures to morphine (20 mg/kg, sc) each followed by naloxone (1 mg/kg, sc) 24 h later, rats display nausea-like somatic reactions of lying flattened on belly, abdominal contractions and diarrhea, and display increased mouthing movements and loss of body weight. OlGly (5 mg/kg, ip) interfered with naloxone-precipitated MWD-induced abdominal contractions, lying on belly, diarrhea and mouthing movements in male Sprague-Dawley rats, by both a cannabinoid 1 (CB1) and a PPARα mechanism of action. Since these withdrawal reactions are symptomatic of nausea, we evaluated the potential of OlGly to interfere with lithium chloride (LiCl)-induced and MWD-induced conditioned gaping in rats, a selective measure of nausea; the suppression of MWD-induced gaping reactions by OlGly was both CB1 and PPARα mediated. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the aversive effects of acute naloxone-precipitated MWD reflect nausea, which is suppressed by OlGly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M Rock
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Samantha M Ayoub
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Cheryl L Limebeer
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Alexia Gene
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Kiri L Wills
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Marieka V DeVuono
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Reem Smoum
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Pozzuli, Naples, Italy.,Canada Excellence Research Chair on the Microbiome/Endocannabinoid Axis in Metabolomic Health, University of Laval, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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33
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Abstract
Since antiquity, Cannabis has provoked enormous intrigue for its potential medicinal properties as well as for its unique pharmacological effects. The elucidation of its major cannabinoid constituents, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), led to the synthesis of new cannabinoids (termed synthetic cannabinoids) to understand the mechanisms underlying the pharmacology of Cannabis. These pharmacological tools were instrumental in the ultimate discovery of the endogenous cannabinoid system, which consists of CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors and endogenously produced ligands (endocannabinoids), which bind and activate both cannabinoid receptors. CB1 receptors mediate the cannabimimetic effects of THC and are highly expressed on presynaptic neurons in the nervous system, where they modulate neurotransmitter release. In contrast, CB2 receptors are primarily expressed on immune cells. The endocannabinoids are tightly regulated by biosynthetic and hydrolytic enzymes. Accordingly, the endocannabinoid system plays a modulatory role in many physiological processes, thereby generating many promising therapeutic targets. An unintended consequence of this research was the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids sold for human consumption to circumvent federal laws banning Cannabis use. Here, we describe research that led to the discovery of the endogenous cannabinoid system and show how knowledge of this system benefitted as well as unintentionally harmed human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley D Schurman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Dai Lu
- Rangel College of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, TX, USA
| | - Debra A Kendall
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Allyn C Howlett
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Research on Substance Use and Addiction, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Donvito G, Muldoon PP, Jackson KJ, Ahmad U, Zaveri NT, McIntosh JM, Chen X, Lichtman AH, Damaj MI. Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors mediate ∆ 9 -THC dependence: Mouse and human studies. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12691. [PMID: 30378732 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cessation from prolonged use of ∆9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active compound responsible for the cannabimimetic effects of cannabis, results in a mild to moderate withdrawal syndrome in humans and laboratory animals. Whereas manipulations of the endogenous cannabinoid system (eg, cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoid regulating enzymes) alter nicotine withdrawal, in this study we asked the reciprocal question. Do nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) modulate THC withdrawal? To assess the role of different nAChR subtypes in THC withdrawal, we used transgenic mouse, preclinical pharmacological, and human genetic correlation approaches. Our findings show that selective α3β4* nAChR antagonist, AuIB, and α3β4* nAChR partial agonist, AT-1001, dose-dependently attenuated somatic withdrawal signs in THC-dependent mice that were challenged with the cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonist rimonabant. Additionally, THC-dependent α5 and α6 nAChR knockout (KO) mice displayed decreased rimonabant precipitated somatic withdrawal signs compared with their wild-type counterparts. In contrast, β2 and α7 nAChR KO mice showed no alterations in THC withdrawal signs. Moreover, deletion of β2 nAChR did not alter the reduced expression of somatic signs by the preferred α6β4* antagonist, BulA [T5A;P60]. Finally, the human genetic association studies indicated that variations in the genes that code for the α5, α3, β4, and α6 nAChRs were associated with cannabis disorder phenotypes. Overall, these findings suggest that α3β4* and α6β4* nAChR subtypes represent viable targets for the development of medications to counteract THC dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyVirginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA USA
| | - Pretal P. Muldoon
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyVirginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA USA
| | - Kia J. Jackson
- Department of PsychiatryVirginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA USA
| | - Urslan Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyVirginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA USA
| | | | - J. Michael McIntosh
- Departments of Biology and PsychiatryUniversity of Utah Salt Lake City UT USA
| | - Xiangning Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized MedicineUniversity of Nevada Las Vegas NV USA
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyVirginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA USA
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyVirginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA USA
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Xi Z, Muldoon P, Wang X, Bi G, Damaj MI, Lichtman AH, Pertwee RG, Gardner EL. Δ 8 -Tetrahydrocannabivarin has potent anti-nicotine effects in several rodent models of nicotine dependence. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:4773-4784. [PMID: 31454413 PMCID: PMC6965695 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Both types of cannabinoid receptors-CB1 and CB2 -regulate brain functions relating to addictive drug-induced reward and relapse. CB1 receptor antagonists and CB2 receptor agonists have anti-addiction efficacy, in animal models, against a broad range of addictive drugs. Δ9 -Tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9 -THCV)-a cannabis constituent-acts as a CB1 antagonist and a CB2 agonist. Δ8 -Tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ8 -THCV) is a Δ9 -THCV analogue with similar combined CB1 antagonist/CB2 agonist properties. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We tested Δ8 -THCV in seven different rodent models relevant to nicotine dependence-nicotine self-administration, cue-triggered nicotine-seeking behaviour following forced abstinence, nicotine-triggered reinstatement of nicotine-seeking behaviour, acquisition of nicotine-induced conditioned place preference, anxiety-like behaviour induced by nicotine withdrawal, somatic withdrawal signs induced by nicotine withdrawal, and hyperalgesia induced by nicotine withdrawal. KEY RESULTS Δ8 -THCV significantly attenuated intravenous nicotine self-administration and both cue-induced and nicotine-induced relapse to nicotine-seeking behaviour in rats. Δ8 -THCV also significantly attenuated nicotine-induced conditioned place preference and nicotine withdrawal in mice. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We conclude that Δ8 -THCV may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of nicotine dependence. We also suggest that tetrahydrocannabivarins should be tested for possible anti-addiction efficacy in a broader range of preclinical animal models, against other addictive drugs, and eventually in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng‐Xiong Xi
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research ProgramNational Institute on Drug AbuseBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Pretal Muldoon
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyVirginia Commonwealth University School of MedicineRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Xiao‐Fei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical CountermeasuresBeijing Institute of Pharmacology and ToxicologyBeijingChina
| | - Guo‐Hua Bi
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research ProgramNational Institute on Drug AbuseBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - M. Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Aron H. Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | | | - Eliot L. Gardner
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research ProgramNational Institute on Drug AbuseBaltimoreMarylandUSA
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36
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Petrie GN, Wills KL, Piscitelli F, Smoum R, Limebeer CL, Rock EM, Humphrey AE, Sheppard-Perkins M, Lichtman AH, Mechoulam R, Di Marzo V, Parker LA. Oleoyl glycine: interference with the aversive effects of acute naloxone-precipitated MWD, but not morphine reward, in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:2623-2633. [PMID: 30993360 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05237-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Oleoyl glycine (OlGly), a recently discovered fatty acid amide that is structurally similar to N- acylethanolamines, which include the endocannabinoid, anandamide (AEA), as well as endogenous peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists oleoylethanolamide (OEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), has been shown to interfere with nicotine reward and dependence in mice. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS Behavioral and molecular techniques were used to investigate the ability of OlGly to interfere with the affective properties of morphine and morphine withdrawal (MWD) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. RESULTS Synthetic OlGly (1-30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [ip]) produced neither a place preference nor aversion on its own; however, at doses of 1 and 5 mg/kg, ip, it blocked the aversive effects of MWD in a place aversion paradigm. This effect was reversed by the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor antagonist, AM251 (1 mg/kg, ip), but not the PPARα antagonist, MK886 (1 mg/kg, ip). OlGly (5 or 30 mg/kg, ip) did not interfere with a morphine-induced place preference or reinstatement of a previously extinguished morphine-induced place preference. Ex vivo analysis of tissue (nucleus accumbens, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and interoceptive insular cortex) collected from rats experiencing naloxone-precipitated MWD revealed that OlGly was selectively elevated in the nucleus accumbens. MWD did not modify levels of the endocannabinoids 2-AG and AEA, nor those of the PPARα ligands, OEA and PEA, in any region evaluated. CONCLUSION Here, we show that OlGly interferes with the aversive properties of acute naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal in rats. These results suggest that OlGly may reduce the impact of MWD and may possess efficacy in treating opiate withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin N Petrie
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada
| | - Kiri L Wills
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Reem Smoum
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Cheryl L Limebeer
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada
| | - Erin M Rock
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada
| | - Ashlyn E Humphrey
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada
| | | | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Endocannabinoid Research Group, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Linda A Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 2GW, Canada.
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37
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Jacobs IR, Xu C, Hermes DJ, League AF, Xu C, Nath B, Jiang W, Niphakis MJ, Cravatt BF, Mackie K, Mukhopadhyay S, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Fitting S. Inhibitory Control Deficits Associated with Upregulation of CB 1R in the HIV-1 Tat Transgenic Mouse Model of Hand. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2019; 14:661-678. [PMID: 31372820 PMCID: PMC6898753 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-019-09867-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the era of combined antiretroviral therapy, HIV-1 infected individuals are living longer lives; however, longevity is met with an increasing number of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) diagnoses. The transactivator of transcription (Tat) is known to mediate the neurotoxic effects in HAND by acting directly on neurons and also indirectly via its actions on glia. The Go/No-Go (GNG) task was used to examine HAND in the Tat transgenic mouse model. The GNG task involves subjects discriminating between two stimuli sets in order to determine whether or not to inhibit a previously trained response. Data reveal inhibitory control deficits in female Tat(+) mice (p = .048) and an upregulation of cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R) in the infralimbic (IL) cortex in the same female Tat(+) group (p < .05). A significant negative correlation was noted between inhibitory control and IL CB1R expression (r = −.543, p = .045), with CB1R expression predicting 30% of the variance of inhibitory control (R2 = .295, p = .045). Furthermore, there was a significant increase in spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic current (sEPSC) frequencies in Tat(+) compared to Tat(−) mice (p = .008, across sexes). The increase in sEPSC frequency was significantly attenuated by bath application of PF3845, a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) enzyme inhibitor (p < .001). Overall, the GNG task is a viable measure to assess inhibitory control deficits in Tat transgenic mice and results suggest a potential therapeutic treatment for the observed deficits with drugs which modulate endocannabinoid enzyme activity. Results of the Go/No-Go operant conditioning task reveal inhibitory control deficits in female transgenic Tat(+) mice without significantly affecting males. The demonstrated inhibitory control deficits appear to be associated with an upregulation of cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R) in the infralimbic (IL) cortex in the same female Tat(+) group. ![]()
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MESH Headings
- AIDS Dementia Complex/genetics
- AIDS Dementia Complex/metabolism
- AIDS Dementia Complex/psychology
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Female
- HIV-1
- Inhibition, Psychological
- Limbic Lobe/metabolism
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neurocognitive Disorders/genetics
- Neurocognitive Disorders/metabolism
- Psychomotor Performance/physiology
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/biosynthesis
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Up-Regulation/physiology
- tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/biosynthesis
- tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Jacobs
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Douglas J Hermes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Alexis F League
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Callie Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Bhupendra Nath
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, 27707, USA
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA
| | - Somnath Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, 27707, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | | | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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38
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Tseng CC, Baillie G, Donvito G, Mustafa MA, Juola SE, Zanato C, Massarenti C, Dall'Angelo S, Harrison WTA, Lichtman AH, Ross RA, Zanda M, Greig IR. The Trifluoromethyl Group as a Bioisosteric Replacement of the Aliphatic Nitro Group in CB 1 Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators. J Med Chem 2019; 62:5049-5062. [PMID: 31050898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The first generation of CB1 positive allosteric modulators (e.g., ZCZ011) featured a 3-nitroalkyl-2-phenyl-indole structure. Although a small number of drugs include the nitro group, it is generally not regarded as being "drug-like", and this is particularly true for aliphatic nitro groups. There are very few case studies where an appropriate bioisostere replaced a nitro group that had a direct role in binding. This may be indicative of the difficulty of replicating its binding interactions. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of ligands targeting the allosteric binding site on the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, in which a CF3 group successfully replaced the aliphatic NO2. In general, the CF3-bearing compounds were more potent than their NO2 equivalents and also showed improved in vitro metabolic stability. The CF3 analogue (1) with the best balance of properties was selected for further pharmacological evaluation. Pilot in vivo studies showed that (±)-1 has similar activity to (±)-ZCZ011, with both showing promising efficacy in a mouse model of neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chung Tseng
- Kosterlitz Centre for Therapeutics , University of Aberdeen , Foresterhill, Aberdeen , AB25 2ZD Scotland, U.K
| | - Gemma Baillie
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology , University of Toronto , Toronto M5S 1A8 , Canada
| | | | | | | | - Chiara Zanato
- Kosterlitz Centre for Therapeutics , University of Aberdeen , Foresterhill, Aberdeen , AB25 2ZD Scotland, U.K
| | - Chiara Massarenti
- Kosterlitz Centre for Therapeutics , University of Aberdeen , Foresterhill, Aberdeen , AB25 2ZD Scotland, U.K
| | - Sergio Dall'Angelo
- Kosterlitz Centre for Therapeutics , University of Aberdeen , Foresterhill, Aberdeen , AB25 2ZD Scotland, U.K
| | - William T A Harrison
- Department of Chemistry , University of Aberdeen , Meston Walk, Aberdeen , AB24 3UE Scotland, U.K
| | | | - Ruth A Ross
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology , University of Toronto , Toronto M5S 1A8 , Canada
| | - Matteo Zanda
- Kosterlitz Centre for Therapeutics , University of Aberdeen , Foresterhill, Aberdeen , AB25 2ZD Scotland, U.K.,C.N.R. - I.C.R.M. , via Mancinelli 7 , 20131 Milan , Italy
| | - Iain R Greig
- Kosterlitz Centre for Therapeutics , University of Aberdeen , Foresterhill, Aberdeen , AB25 2ZD Scotland, U.K
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39
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Sim-Selley LJ, Wilkerson JL, Burston JJ, Hauser KF, McLane V, Welch SP, Lichtman AH, Selley DE. Differential Tolerance to FTY720-Induced Antinociception in Acute Thermal and Nerve Injury Mouse Pain Models: Role of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Adaptation. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 366:509-518. [PMID: 29945931 PMCID: PMC6090176 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.118.248260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunomodulatory prodrug 2-amino-2-(2-[4-octylphenyl]ethyl)-1,3-propanediol (FTY720), which acts as an agonist for sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors (S1PR) when phosphorylated, is proposed as a novel pain therapeutic. In this study, we assessed FTY720-mediated antinociception in the radiant heat tail-flick test and in the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain in mice. FTY720 produced antinociception and antiallodynia, respectively, and these effects were dose-dependent and mimicked by the S1PR1-selective agonist CYM-5442. Repeated administration of FTY720 for 1 week produced tolerance to acute thermal antinociception, but not to antiallodynia in the CCI model. S1PR-stimulated [35S]GTPγS autoradiography revealed apparent desensitization of G protein activation by S1P or the S1PR1 agonist 5-[4-phenyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-2-thienyl]-3-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-1,2,4-oxadiazole (SEW-2871) throughout the brain. Similar results were seen in spinal cord membranes, whereby the Emax value of S1PR-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding was greatly reduced in repeated FTY720-treated mice. These results suggest that S1PR1 is a primary target of FTY720 in alleviating both acute thermal nociception and chronic neuropathic nociception. Furthermore, the finding that tolerance develops to antinociception in the tail-flick test but not in chronic neuropathic pain suggests a differential mechanism of FTY720 action between these models. The observation that repeated FTY720 administration led to desensitized S1PR1 signaling throughout the central nervous system suggests the possibility that S1PR1 activation drives the acute thermal antinociceptive effects, whereas S1PR1 desensitization mediates the following: 1) tolerance to thermal antinociceptive actions of FTY720 and 2) the persistent antiallodynic effects of FTY720 in neuropathic pain by producing functional antagonism of pronociceptive S1PR1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Sim-Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - James J Burston
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Kurt F Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Virginia McLane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Sandra P Welch
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Dana E Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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40
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Hermes DJ, Xu C, Poklis JL, Niphakis MJ, Cravatt BF, Mackie K, Lichtman AH, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Fitting S. Neuroprotective effects of fatty acid amide hydrolase catabolic enzyme inhibition in a HIV-1 Tat model of neuroAIDS. Neuropharmacology 2018; 141:55-65. [PMID: 30114402 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) is a neurotoxin involved in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). The neurotoxic effects of Tat are mediated directly via AMPA/NMDA receptor activity and indirectly through neuroinflammatory signaling in glia. Emerging strategies in the development of neuroprotective agents involve the modulation of the endocannabinoid system. A major endocannabinoid, anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA), is metabolized by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Here we demonstrate using a murine prefrontal cortex primary culture model that the inhibition of FAAH, using PF3845, attenuates Tat-mediated increases in intracellular calcium, neuronal death, and dendritic degeneration via cannabinoid receptors (CB1R and CB2R). Live cell imaging was used to assess Tat-mediated increases in [Ca2+]i, which was significantly reduced by PF3845. A time-lapse assay revealed that Tat potentiates cell death while PF3845 blocks this effect. Additionally PF3845 blocked the Tat-mediated increase in activated caspase-3 (apoptotic marker) positive neurons. Dendritic degeneration was characterized by analyzing stained dendritic processes using Imaris and Tat was found to significantly decrease the size of processes while PF3845 inhibited this effect. Incubation with CB1R and CB2R antagonists (SR141716A and AM630) revealed that PF3845-mediated calcium effects were dependent on CB1R, while reduced neuronal death and degeneration was CB2R-mediated. PF3845 application led to increased levels of AEA, suggesting the observed effects are likely a result of increased endocannabinoid signaling at CB1R/CB2R. Our findings suggest that modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system through inhibition of FAAH may be beneficial in treatment of HAND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Hermes
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Changqing Xu
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemical Physiology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Ken Mackie
- Department of Psychological & Brain Science, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | | | - Sylvia Fitting
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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41
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Curry ZA, Wilkerson JL, Bagdas D, Kyte SL, Patel N, Donvito G, Mustafa MA, Poklis JL, Niphakis MJ, Hsu KL, Cravatt BF, Gewirtz DA, Damaj MI, Lichtman AH. Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibitors Reverse Paclitaxel-Induced Nociceptive Behavior and Proinflammatory Markers in a Mouse Model of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2018; 366:169-183. [PMID: 29540562 PMCID: PMC6038031 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.245704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although paclitaxel effectively treats various cancers, its debilitating peripheral neuropathic pain side effects often persist long after treatment has ended. Therefore, a compelling need exists for the identification of novel pharmacologic strategies to mitigate this condition. As inhibitors of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the primary hydrolytic enzyme of the endogenous cannabinoid, 2-arachidonyolglycerol, produces antinociceptive effects in numerous rodent models of pain, we investigated whether inhibitors of this enzyme (i.e., JZL184 and MJN110) would reverse paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia in mice. These drugs dose dependently reversed allodynia with respective ED50 values (95% confidence limit) of 8.4 (5.2-13.6) and 1.8 (1.0-3.3) mg/kg. Complementary genetic and pharmacologic approaches revealed that the antiallodynic effects of each drug require both cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2 MJN110 reduced paclitaxel-mediated increased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1, CCL2) and phospho-p38 MAPK in dorsal root ganglia as well as MCP-1 in spinal dorsal horn. Whereas the antinociceptive effects of high dose JZL184 (40 mg/kg) underwent tolerance following 6 days of repeated dosing, repeated administration of a threshold dose (i.e., 4 mg/kg) completely reversed paclitaxel-induced allodynia. In addition, we found that the administration of MJN110 to control mice lacked intrinsic rewarding effects in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. However, it produced a CPP in paclitaxel-treated animals, suggesting a reduced paclitaxel-induced aversive state. Importantly, JZL184 did not alter the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of paclitaxel in A549 and H460 non-small cell lung cancer cells. Taken together, these data indicate that MAGL inhibitors reverse paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain without interfering with chemotherapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary A Curry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - S Lauren Kyte
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Nipa Patel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Mohammed A Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Justin L Poklis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Micah J Niphakis
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Ku-Lung Hsu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - David A Gewirtz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (Z.A.C., J.L.W., D.B., S.L.K., N.P., G.D., M.A.M., J.L.P., D.A.G., M.I.D., A.H.L.); The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (M.J.N., B.F.C.); and Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia (K.-L.H.)
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Donvito G, Piscitelli F, Muldoon P, Jackson A, Vitale RM, D'Aniello E, Giordano C, Ignatowska-Jankowska BM, Mustafa MA, Guida F, Petrie GN, Parker L, Smoum R, Sim-Selley L, Maione S, Lichtman AH, Damaj MI, Di Marzo V, Mechoulam R. N-Oleoyl-glycine reduces nicotine reward and withdrawal in mice. Neuropharmacology 2018; 148:320-331. [PMID: 29567093 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette smokers with brain damage involving the insular cortex display cessation of tobacco smoking, suggesting that this region may contribute to nicotine addiction. In the present study, we speculated that molecules in the insular cortex that are sensitive to experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice might provide leads to ameliorate nicotine addiction. Using targeted lipidomics, we found that TBI elicited substantial increases of a largely uncharacterized lipid, N-acyl-glycine, N-oleoyl-glycine (OlGly), in the insular cortex of mice. We then evaluated whether intraperitoneal administration of OlGly would alter withdrawal responses in nicotine-dependent mice as well as the rewarding effects of nicotine, as assessed in the conditioned place preference paradigm (CPP). Systemic administration of OlGly reduced mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal responses in nicotine-dependent mice and prevented nicotine CPP. However, OlGly did not affect morphine CPP, demonstrating a degree of selectivity. Our respective in vitro and in vivo observations that OlGly activated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) and the PPAR-α antagonist GW6471 prevented the OlGly-induced reduction of nicotine CPP in mice suggests that this lipid acts as a functional PPAR-α agonist to attenuate nicotine reward. These findings raise the possibility that the long chain fatty acid amide OlGly may possess efficacy in treating nicotine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Fabiana Piscitelli
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Pretal Muldoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Asti Jackson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Rosa Maria Vitale
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Enrico D'Aniello
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy; Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Catia Giordano
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Bogna M Ignatowska-Jankowska
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Mohammed A Mustafa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Francesca Guida
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Gavin N Petrie
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Linda Parker
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Reem Smoum
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Laura Sim-Selley
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Endocannabinoid Research Group, Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
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Abstract
The cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is located primarily in the central nervous system. CB1 is a therapeutic target which may impact pathways to mediate pain, neurodegenerative disorders, hunger, and drug-seeking behavior. Despite these benefits, development of orthosteric therapeutic compounds, which target the endogenous ligand-binding site of CB1, has been challenging due to detrimental side effects including psychoactivity, depression, and suicidal thoughts. However, CB1 also has an allosteric binding site(s), which is topographically distinct from the orthosteric site. Allosteric modulation of CB1 has a number of potential advantages including providing a mechanism for more precise control of downstream pathways and circumventing these side effects. In this review, we summarize the concept of allosteric modulation and focus on the structure-activity relationship studies of the well-characterized allosteric modulators, ORG27569 and PSNCBAM-1 and their derivatives, and a few other recent modulators. We review studies on the properties of these modulators on CB1 signaling in cells and their effects in vivo. While many current allosteric modulators also produce complex outcomes, they provide new advances for the design of CB1 centered therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Dopart
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Connecticut , Storrs , CT , USA
| | - Dai Lu
- b Rangel College of Pharmacy , Health Science Center, Texas A&M University , Kingsville , TX , USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- c Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , VA , USA
| | - Debra A Kendall
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Connecticut , Storrs , CT , USA
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Lichtman AH, Lux EA, McQuade R, Rossetti S, Sanchez R, Sun W, Wright S, Kornyeyeva E, Fallon MT. Results of a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study of Nabiximols Oromucosal Spray as an Adjunctive Therapy in Advanced Cancer Patients with Chronic Uncontrolled Pain. J Pain Symptom Manage 2018; 55:179-188.e1. [PMID: 28923526 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Prior Phase 2/3 studies found that cannabinoids might provide adjunctive analgesia in advanced cancer patients with uncontrolled pain. OBJECTIVES To assess adjunctive nabiximols (Sativex®), an extract of Cannabis sativa containing two potentially therapeutic cannabinoids (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol [27 mg/mL] and cannabidiol [25 mg/mL]), in advanced cancer patients with chronic pain unalleviated by optimized opioid therapy. METHODS Phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with advanced cancer and average pain Numerical Rating Scale scores ≥4 and ≤8 despite optimized opioid therapy. Patients randomized to nabiximols (n = 199) or placebo (n = 198) self-titrated study medications over a two-week period, followed by a three-week treatment period at the titrated dose. RESULTS Median percent improvements in average pain Numerical Rating Scale score from baseline to end of treatment in the nabiximols and placebo groups were 10.7% vs. 4.5% (P = 0.0854) in the intention-to-treat population (primary variable) and 15.5% vs. 6.3% (P = 0.0378) in the per-protocol population. Nabiximols was statistically superior to placebo on two of three quality-of-life instruments at Week 3 and on all three at Week 5. In exploratory post hoc analyses, U.S. patients, but not patients from the rest of the world, experienced significant benefits from nabiximols on multiple secondary endpoints. Possible contributing factors to differences in nabiximols efficacy include: 1) the U.S. participants received lower doses of opioids at baseline than the rest of the world and 2) the subgroups had different distribution of cancer pain types, which may have been related to differences in pathophysiology of pain. The safety profile of nabiximols was consistent with earlier studies. CONCLUSIONS Although not superior to placebo on the primary efficacy endpoint, nabiximols had benefits on multiple secondary endpoints, particularly in the U.S. PATIENTS Nabiximols might have utility in patients with advanced cancer who receive a lower opioid dose, such as individuals with early intolerance to opioid therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
| | - Eberhard Albert Lux
- Faculty of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany; Clinic for Pain and Palliative Care Medicine, St.-Marien-Hospital, Luenen, Germany
| | - Robert McQuade
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sandro Rossetti
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Raymond Sanchez
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Wei Sun
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Elena Kornyeyeva
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Marie T Fallon
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Abstract
Psychoactive cannabinoids from the marijuana plant (phytocannabinoids), from the body (endocannabinoids), and from the research lab (synthetic cannabinoids) produce their discriminative stimulus effects by stimulation of CB1 receptors in the brain. Early discrimination work with phytocannabinoids confirmed that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is the primary psychoactive constituent of the marijuana plant, with more recent work focusing on characterization of the contribution of the major endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), to Δ9-THC-like internal states. Collectively, these latter studies suggest that endogenous increases in both anandamide and 2-AG seem to be optimal for mimicking Δ9-THC's discriminative stimulus effects, although suprathreshold concentrations of anandamide also appear to be Δ9-THC-like in discrimination assays. Recently, increased abuse of synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., "fake marijuana") has spurred discrimination studies to inform regulatory authorities by predicting which of the many synthetic compounds on the illicit market are most likely to share Δ9-THC's abuse liability. In the absence of a reliable model of cannabinoid self-administration (specifically, Δ9-THC self-administration), cannabinoid discrimination represents the most validated and pharmacologically selective animal model of an abuse-related property of cannabinoids - i.e., marijuana's subjective effects. The influx of recent papers in which cannabinoid discrimination is highlighted attests to its continued relevance as a valuable method for scientific study of cannabinoid use and abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Wiley
- RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA.
| | - R Allen Owens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Box 980613, Richmond, VA, USA
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Donvito G, Nass SR, Wilkerson JL, Curry ZA, Schurman LD, Kinsey SG, Lichtman AH. The Endogenous Cannabinoid System: A Budding Source of Targets for Treating Inflammatory and Neuropathic Pain. Neuropsychopharmacology 2018; 43:52-79. [PMID: 28857069 PMCID: PMC5719110 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A great need exists for the development of new medications to treat pain resulting from various disease states and types of injury. Given that the endogenous cannabinoid (that is, endocannabinoid) system modulates neuronal and immune cell function, both of which play key roles in pain, therapeutics targeting this system hold promise as novel analgesics. Potential therapeutic targets include the cannabinoid receptors, type 1 and 2, as well as biosynthetic and catabolic enzymes of the endocannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamine and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. Notably, cannabinoid receptor agonists as well as inhibitors of endocannabinoid-regulating enzymes fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase produce reliable antinociceptive effects, and offer opioid-sparing antinociceptive effects in myriad preclinical inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. Emerging clinical studies show that 'medicinal' cannabis or cannabinoid-based medications relieve pain in human diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia. However, clinical data have yet to demonstrate the analgesic efficacy of inhibitors of endocannabinoid-regulating enzymes. Likewise, the question of whether pharmacotherapies aimed at the endocannabinoid system promote opioid-sparing effects in the treatment of pain reflects an important area of research. Here we examine the preclinical and clinical evidence of various endocannabinoid system targets as potential therapeutic strategies for inflammatory and neuropathic pain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Sara R Nass
- Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Zachary A Curry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Lesley D Schurman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Steven G Kinsey
- Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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47
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Kyte SL, Toma W, Bagdas D, Meade JA, Schurman LD, Lichtman AH, Chen ZJ, Del Fabbro E, Fang X, Bigbee JW, Damaj MI, Gewirtz DA. Nicotine Prevents and Reverses Paclitaxel-Induced Mechanical Allodynia in a Mouse Model of CIPN. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2017; 364:110-119. [PMID: 29042416 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.243972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), a consequence of peripheral nerve fiber dysfunction or degeneration, continues to be a dose-limiting and debilitating side effect during and/or after cancer chemotherapy. Paclitaxel, a taxane commonly used to treat breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, causes CIPN in 59-78% of cancer patients. Novel interventions are needed due to the current lack of effective CIPN treatments. Our studies were designed to investigate whether nicotine can prevent and/or reverse paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in a mouse model of CIPN, while ensuring that nicotine will not stimulate lung tumor cell proliferation or interfere with the antitumor properties of paclitaxel. Male C57BL/6J mice received paclitaxel every other day for a total of four injections (8 mg/kg, i.p.). Acute (0.3-0.9 mg/kg, i.p.) and chronic (24 mg/kg per day, s.c.) administration of nicotine respectively reversed and prevented paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia. Blockade of the antinociceptive effect of nicotine with mecamylamine and methyllycaconitine suggests that the reversal of paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia is primarily mediated by the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtype. Chronic nicotine treatment also prevented paclitaxel-induced intraepidermal nerve fiber loss. Notably, nicotine neither promoted proliferation of A549 and H460 non-small cell lung cancer cells nor interfered with paclitaxel-induced antitumor effects, including apoptosis. Most importantly, chronic nicotine administration did not enhance Lewis lung carcinoma tumor growth in C57BL/6J mice. These data suggest that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated pathways may be promising drug targets for the prevention and treatment of CIPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lauren Kyte
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Wisam Toma
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Deniz Bagdas
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Julie A Meade
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Lesley D Schurman
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Zhi-Jian Chen
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Egidio Del Fabbro
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - Xianjun Fang
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - John W Bigbee
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - M Imad Damaj
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
| | - David A Gewirtz
- Departments of Pharmacology and Toxicology (S.L.K., W.T., D.B., J.A.M., L.D.S., A.H.L., M.I.D., D.A.G.), Neurology (Z.-J.C.), Internal Medicine (E.D.F.), Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (X.F.), and Anatomy and Neurobiology (J.W.B.), and Massey Cancer Center (D.A.G.), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; and Experimental Animals Breeding and Research Center, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey (D.B.)
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Wilkerson JL, Donvito G, Grim TW, Abdullah RA, Ogasawara D, Cravatt BF, Lichtman AH. Investigation of Diacylglycerol Lipase Alpha Inhibition in the Mouse Lipopolysaccharide Inflammatory Pain Model. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2017; 363:394-401. [PMID: 28970359 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.117.243808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) α and β, the major biosynthetic enzymes of the endogenous cannabinoid (endocannabinoid) 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), are highly expressed in the nervous system and immune system, respectively. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of DAGL-β protects against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in mouse peritoneal macrophages and reverses LPS-induced allodynia in mice. To gain insight into the contribution of DAGL-α in LPS-induced allodynia, we tested global knockout mice as well as DO34, a dual DAGL-α/β inhibitor. Intraperitoneal administration of DO34 (30 mg/kg) significantly decreased whole-brain levels of 2-AG (∼83%), anandamide (∼42%), and arachidonic acid (∼58%). DO34 dose-dependently reversed mechanical and cold allodynia, and these antinociceptive effects did not undergo tolerance after 6 days of repeated administration. In contrast, DO34 lacked acute thermal antinociceptive, motor, and hypothermal pharmacological effects in naive mice. As previously reported, DAGL-β (-/-) mice displayed a protective phenotype from LPS-induced allodynia. However, DAGL-α (-/-) mice showed full allodynic responses, similar to their wild-type littermates. Interestingly, DO34 (30 mg/kg) fully reversed LPS-induced allodynia in DAGL-α (+/+) and (-/-) mice, but did not affect the antinociceptive phenotype of DAGL-β (-/-) mice in this model, indicating a DAGL-α-independent site of action. These findings suggest that DAGL-α and DAGL-β play distinct roles in LPS-induced nociception. Whereas DAGL-α appears to be dispensable for the development and expression of LPS-induced nociception, DAGL-β inhibition represents a promising strategy to treat inflammatory pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Wilkerson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (J.L.W., G.D., T.W.G., R.A.A., A.H.L.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (D.O., B.F.C.)
| | - Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (J.L.W., G.D., T.W.G., R.A.A., A.H.L.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (D.O., B.F.C.)
| | - Travis W Grim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (J.L.W., G.D., T.W.G., R.A.A., A.H.L.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (D.O., B.F.C.)
| | - Rehab A Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (J.L.W., G.D., T.W.G., R.A.A., A.H.L.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (D.O., B.F.C.)
| | - Daisuke Ogasawara
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (J.L.W., G.D., T.W.G., R.A.A., A.H.L.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (D.O., B.F.C.)
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (J.L.W., G.D., T.W.G., R.A.A., A.H.L.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (D.O., B.F.C.)
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia (J.L.W., G.D., T.W.G., R.A.A., A.H.L.); and The Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology and Department of Chemical Physiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California (D.O., B.F.C.)
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49
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Shin M, Snyder HW, Donvito G, Schurman LD, Fox TE, Lichtman AH, Kester M, Hsu KL. Liposomal Delivery of Diacylglycerol Lipase-Beta Inhibitors to Macrophages Dramatically Enhances Selectivity and Efficacy in Vivo. Mol Pharm 2017; 15:721-728. [PMID: 28901776 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b00657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Diacylglycerol lipase-beta (DAGLβ) hydrolyzes arachidonic acid (AA)-containing diacylglycerols to produce bioactive lipids including endocannabinoids and AA-derived eicosanoids involved in regulation of inflammatory signaling. Previously, we demonstrated that DAGLβ inactivation using the triazole urea inhibitor KT109 blocked macrophage inflammatory signaling and reversed allodynic responses of mice in inflammatory and neuropathic pain models. Here, we tested whether we could exploit the phagocytic capacity of macrophages to localize delivery of DAGLβ inhibitors to these cells in vivo using liposome encapsulated KT109. We used DAGLβ-tailored activity-based probes and chemical proteomic methods to measure potency and selectivity of liposomal KT109 in macrophages and tissues from treated mice. Surprisingly, delivery of ∼5 μg of liposomal KT109 was sufficient to achieve ∼80% inactivation of DAGLβ in macrophages with no apparent activity in other tissues in vivo. Our macrophage-targeted delivery resulted in a >100-fold enhancement in antinociceptive potency compared with free compound in a mouse inflammatory pain model. Our studies describe a novel anti-inflammatory strategy that is achieved by targeted in vivo delivery of DAGLβ inhibitors to macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myungsun Shin
- Department of Chemistry , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia 22904 , United States
| | - Helena W Snyder
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia 22904 , United States
| | - Giulia Donvito
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia 23298 United States
| | - Lesley D Schurman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia 23298 United States
| | - Todd E Fox
- Department of Pharmacology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia 22908 , United States.,University of Virginia Cancer Center , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia 22903 , United States
| | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia 23298 United States
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Pharmacology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia 22908 , United States.,University of Virginia Cancer Center , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia 22903 , United States
| | - Ku-Lung Hsu
- Department of Chemistry , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia 22904 , United States.,Department of Pharmacology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia 22908 , United States
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50
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Fallon MT, Albert Lux E, McQuade R, Rossetti S, Sanchez R, Sun W, Wright S, Lichtman AH, Kornyeyeva E. Sativex oromucosal spray as adjunctive therapy in advanced cancer patients with chronic pain unalleviated by optimized opioid therapy: two double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 studies. Br J Pain 2017; 11:119-133. [PMID: 28785408 PMCID: PMC5521351 DOI: 10.1177/2049463717710042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioids are critical for managing cancer pain, but may provide inadequate relief and/or unacceptable side effects in some cases. OBJECTIVE To assess the analgesic efficacy of adjunctive Sativex (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (27 mg/mL): cannabidiol (25 mg/mL)) in advanced cancer patients with chronic pain unalleviated by optimized opioid therapy. METHODS This report describes two phase 3, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Eligible patients had advanced cancer and average pain numerical rating scale (NRS) scores ≥4 and ≤8 at baseline, despite optimized opioid therapy. In Study-1, patients were randomized to Sativex or placebo, and then self-titrated study medications over a 2-week period per effect and tolerability, followed by a 3-week treatment period. In Study-2, all patients self-titrated Sativex over a 2-week period. Patients with a ≥15% improvement from baseline in pain score were then randomized 1:1 to Sativex or placebo, followed by 5-week treatment period (randomized withdrawal design). RESULTS The primary efficacy endpoint (percent improvement (Study-1) and mean change (Study-2) in average daily pain NRS scores) was not met in either study. Post hoc analyses of the primary endpoints identified statistically favourable treatment effect for Sativex in US patients <65 years (median treatment difference: 8.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00-17.95; p = 0.040) that was not observed in patients <65 years from the rest of the world (median treatment difference: 0.2; 95% CI: -5.00 to 7.74; p = 0.794). Treatment effect in favour of Sativex was observed on quality-of-life questionnaires, despite the fact that similar effects were not observed on NRS score. The safety profile of Sativex was consistent with earlier studies, and no evidence of abuse or misuse was identified. CONCLUSIONS Sativex did not demonstrate superiority to placebo in reducing self-reported pain NRS scores in advanced cancer patients with chronic pain unalleviated by optimized opioid therapy, although further exploration of differences between United States and patients from the rest of the world is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie T Fallon
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- St Columba’s Hospice, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Eberhard Albert Lux
- Faculty of Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Witten, Germany
- Clinic for Pain and Palliative Care Medicine, St.-Marien-Hospital Lünen, Lünen, Germany
| | - Robert McQuade
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Sandro Rossetti
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Raymond Sanchez
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Wei Sun
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | | - Aron H Lichtman
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Elena Kornyeyeva
- Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA
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