Cannabinoids have been shown to modulate central autonomic regulation and baroreflex control of blood pressure (BP). The presence of cannabinoid CB(1) receptors on fibers in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) suggests that some presynaptic modulation of transmitter release could occur in this region, which receives direct afferent projections from arterial baroreceptors and cardiac mechanorec...

Arachidonylethanolamide (AEA), the putative endogenous ligand of the cannabinoid receptor, has been shown to be a substrate for lipoxygenase enzymes in vitro. One goal of this study was to determine whether lipoxygenase-rich cells metabolize AEA. [14C]AEA was converted by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to two major metabolites that comigrated with synthetic 12(S)- and 15(S)-hydroxy-a...

Endocannabinoids are lipid mediators, isolated from brain and peripheral tissues, which include amides, esters and ethers of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (1, 2). These compounds exibit “cannabimimetic activity”, i.e. they mimic ∆-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active principle of Cannabis sativa preparations like hashish and marijuana, by activating central (CB1) and peripheral (CB2) can...

Recent studies have demonstrated that l-homocysteine (Hcys)-induced podocyte injury leading to glomerular damage or sclerosis is attributable to the activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Given the demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects of endocannabinoids, the present study was designed to test whether anandamid...

BACKGROUND In early pregnancy, increased plasma levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) are associated with miscarriage through mechanisms that might affect the developing placenta or maternal decidua. METHODS In this study, we compare AEA levels in failed and viable pregnancies with the levels of the trophoblastic hormones (beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta-hCG), progesterone (...

N-Arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) is a proposed endogenous ligand of the central cannabinoid receptor (CB1). Previous studies indicate that AEA is translocated across membranes via a process that has the characteristics of carrier-mediated facilitated diffusion. To date, studies of this mechanism have relied on [(3)H]AEA as a substrate for the carrier. We have synthesized an analog of AEA, SKM 4...

Both exogenous and endogenous cannabinoids can allosterically modulate glycine receptors (GlyRs). However, little is known about the molecular basis of cannabinoid-GlyR interactions. Here we report that sustained incubation with the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) substantially increased the amplitude of glycine-activated current in both rat cultured spinal neurons and in HEK-293 cells express...

Divergent results in pain management account for the growing number of studies aiming at elucidating the pharmacology of the endocannabinoid/endovanilloid anandamide (AEA) within several pain-related brain structures. For instance, the stimulation of both Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and Cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors led to paradoxical effects on nociception. Here,...

We have previously shown that administration of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) during lactation leads to overweight, increased body fat accumulation, and insulin resistance in adult mice. This study was designed to elucidate if these effects are due to increased food intake, stimulated by an augmented abundance and binding ability of the hypothalamic cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R). Wi...