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Cannabis and cannabinoids are known to affect female reproduction. However, the role of the endocannabinoid system in mouse uterine contractility in the dioestrus and oestrus phases has not been previously investigated. The present study aimed at filling this gap. Endocannabinoid (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) levels were measured in mouse uterus at dioestrus and oestrus phases by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blot were used to measured the expression of cannabinoid receptors and enzymes involved in the metabolism of endocannabinoids. Contractility was evaluated in vitro either on the spontaneous contractions or by stimulating the isolated uterus with exogenous spasmogens. The tissue concentrations of anandamide and 2-AG were reduced in the oestrus phase, compared to dioestrus. Uteri obtained in the dioestrus, but not oestrus, phase showed spontaneous phasic prostaglandin-mediated contractions that were reduced by ACEA (CB1 receptor agonist) and to a lower extent by JWH133 (CB2 receptor agonist). These inhibitory effects were counteracted by the corresponding selective antagonists. Neither ACEA nor JWH133 did affect the contractions induced by exogenous PGE2 in the uterus from the oestrus phase. The FAAH inhibitor JNJ1661010 and, to a lower extent, the MAGL inhibitor JZL184 also reduced spontaneous contractions. It is concluded that the endocannabinoid system undergoes to adaptive changes between the oestrus and dioestrus phases. CB1 and, to a lower extent, CB2 receptor activation results in selective inhibition of myometrial contractility, without un-specific relaxing effects on the smooth muscle. These results might be of interest for female marijuana smokers as well as for the design of novel tocolytic agents

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) acts via several targets, including cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) ion channels, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR ?) and orphan G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GRR55), all involved in the control of intestinal inflammation. Here, we investigated the effect of PEA in a murine model of colitis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Colitis was induced in mice by intracolonic administration of dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS). Inflammation was assessed by evaluating inflammatory markers/parameters and by histology; intestinal permeability by a fluorescent method; colonic cell proliferation by immunohistochemistry; PEA and endocannabinoid levels by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry; receptor and enzyme mRNA expression by quantitative RT-PCR. KEY RESULTS DNBS administration caused inflammatory damage, increased colonic levels of PEA and endocannabinoids, down-regulation of mRNA for TRPV1 and GPR55 but no changes in mRNA for CB1, CB2 and PPAR?. Exogenous PEA (i.p. and/or p.o., 1 mg·kg-1) attenuated inflammation and intestinal permeability, stimulated colonic cell proliferation, and increased colonic TRPV1 and CB1 receptor expression. The anti-inflammatory effect of PEA was attenuated or abolished by CB2 receptor, GPR55 or PPAR? antagonists and further increased by the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS PEA improves murine experimental colitis, the effect being mediated by CB2 receptors, GPR55 and PPAR?, and modulated by TRPV1 channels. Abbreviations 2-AG, 2-arachidonoylglycerol; CB, cannabinoid; DNBS, 2,4,6-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid; DSS, dextran sodium sulphate; FAAH, fatty acid amide hydrolase; GDE1, glycerophosphodiester PDE 1; IBD, inflammatory bowel disease; MPO, myeloperoxidase; NAAA, N-acylethanolamine-hydrolysing acid amidase; NAPE-PLD, N-arachidonyl-phosphatidylethanolamine PLD; OEA, oleoylethanolamide; PEA, palmitoylethanolamide; TRPV1, transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1

PURPOSE: Palmitoylethanolamide is both an endogenous mediator released together with the endocannabinoid anandamide from membrane phospholipids, and a plant-derived compound with analgesic and antinflammatory properties. Here, we verified if the pathophysiology of experimental cystitis involves changes in the levels of palmitoylethanolamide and of some of its targets [i.e. cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2) receptors, and PPAR?] and if exogenous-administered palmitoylethanolamide can be proposed as a preventive measure for cystitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cystitis was induced by cyclophosphamide in female rats. Nociceptive responses, voiding episodes, gross damage, myeloperoxidase activity, bladder weight, bladder palmitoylethanolamide and endocannabinoid levels (measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry), and expression of palmitoylethanolamide targets (measured by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR) were recorded. RESULTS: Cyclophosphamide induced pain behaviour, bladder inflammation and voiding dysfunction associated to increased bladder levels of palmitoylethanolamide, up-regulation of CB1 receptors mRNA expression, down-regulation of PPAR? mRNA and no changes in CB2 receptor mRNA expression. Exogenously-administered ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide attenuated pain behaviour, voids and bladder gross damage. The CB1 antagonist rimonabant and the PPAR? antagonist GW6471 counteracted the beneficial effect of palmitoylethanolamide on gross damage. Additionally, GW6471 further decreased voiding episodes in palmitoylethanolamide-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides strong evidence for a protective role of palmitoylethanolamide as well as for alteration of bladder palmitoylethanolamide levels (and of some of its targets) in cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis. Copyright © 2014 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a naturally-occurring acylethanolamide chemically related to the endocannabinoid anandamide, interacts with targets that have been identified in peripheral nerves controlling gastrointestinal motility, i.e. cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2 ) receptors, transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1), and peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor ? (PPAR?). Here, we investigated the effect of PEA in a mouse model of functional accelerated transit which persists after the resolution of colonic inflammation [(post-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)-like] EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Intestinal inflammation was induced by intracolonic administration of oil of mustard (OM). Mice were tested for motility and biochemical/molecular biology changes four weeks later. Palmitoylethanolamide, oleoylethanolamide and endocannabinoid levels were measured by chromatography-mass spectrometry, and receptor and enzyme mRNA expression by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. KEY RESULTS: OM induced transient colitis and a functional post-inflammatory increase in upper gastrointestinal transit which was associated to elevation of intestinal anandamide (but not 2-arachidonoylglycerol, palmitoylethanolamide or oleoylethanolamide) levels and down-regulation of TRPV1 mRNA expression. Exogenous ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide counteracted OM-induced increase in transit and tended to increase anandamide levels. Palmitic acid had a weaker effect on transit. The inhibitory effect of palmitoylethanolamide on transit was counteracted by rimonabant (CB1 receptor antagonist), further increased by 5'-iodoresiniferatoxin (I-RTX, TRPV1 antagonist) and not significantly modified by the PPAR? antagonist GW6471. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Intestinal endocannabinoid and TRPV1 dysregulation were detected in a functional model of accelerated transit modeling some aspects of post-inflammatory IBS. Palmitoylethanolamide counteracted the accelerated transit, the effect being mediated by CB1 receptors (possibly via increased anandamide levels) and modulated by TRPV1 channels. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Epub 2002 Oct 18.

1. We have studied the effect of cannabinoid agonists (CP 55,940 and cannabinol) on intestinal motility in a model of intestinal inflammation (induced by oral croton oil in mice) and measured cannabinoid receptor expression, endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol) and anandamide amidohydrolase activity both in physiological and pathophysiological states. 2. CP 55,940 (0.03 - 10 nmol mouse(-1)) and cannabinol (10 - 3000 nmol mouse(-1)) were more active in delaying intestinal motility in croton oil-treated mice than in control mice. These inhibitory effects were counteracted by the selective cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist SR141716A (16 nmol mouse(-1)). SR141716A (1 - 300 nmol mouse(-1)), administered alone, increased intestinal motility to the same extent in both control and croton oil-treated mice. 3. Croton oil-induced intestinal inflammation was associated with an increased expression of CB(1) receptor, an unprecedented example of up-regulation of cannabinoid receptors during inflammation. 4. High levels of anandamide and 2-arachidonylglycerol were detected in the small intestine, although no differences were observed between control and croton oil-treated mice; by contrast anandamide amidohydrolase activity increased 2 fold in the inflamed small intestine. 5. It is concluded that inflammation of the gut increases the potency of cannabinoid agonists possibly by 'up-regulating' CB(1) receptor expression; in addition, endocannabinoids, whose turnover is increased in inflamed gut, might tonically inhibit intestinal motility.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC, mustard oil), a constituent of many common cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae), activates transient receptor potential of ankyrin type-1 (TRPA1) channels, claimed to regulate gastrointestinal contractility. In this study, we have investigated the effect of AITC on intestinal motility. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Effects of AITC were investigated in vivo on upper gastrointestinal transit in mice and in mouse isolated ileum [contractions induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS), acetylcholine and spontaneous contractility]. The contractor activity of AITC was studied in mouse isolated colon. The ability of TRPA1 channel antagonists to block AITC-induced elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) Ca(2+) was assessed in HEK293 cells transfected with rat TRPA1 channels. KEY RESULTS: AITC increased Ca(2+) in HEK293 cells, reduced ileal contractility (acetylcholine-, EFS-induced contractions and spontaneous contractility), but contracted the isolated colon. Gentamicin and camphor (non-selective TRPA1 channel antagonists), HC-030031 and AP18 (selective TRPA1 channel agonists) inhibited AITC-induced effects in HEK293 cells but not in the ileum or colon. AITC-induced contractions were reduced by tetrodotoxin and strongly reduced by nifedipine, cyclopiazonic acid and ryanodine. In vivo, AITC reduced (following i.p. administration) or increased (following intragastric administration) upper gastrointestinal transit in mice These effects were not affected by HC-030031. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: AITC, depending, in vitro, on the regions of gut examined and, in vivo, on the route of administration, exerted both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on intestinal motility, which were not sensitive to TRPA1 channel antagonists. The proposition that TRPA1 channels are the primary targets for AITC to induce contraction should be revised.

impact factor 10.337

Salvinorin A, the active component of the hallucinogenic herb Salvia divinorum, inhibits intestinal motility through activation of kappa-opioid receptors (KORs). However, this compound may have target(s) other than the KORs in the inflamed gut. Because intestinal inflammation upregulates cannabinoid receptors and endogenous cannabinoids, in the present study we investigated the possible involvement of the endogenous cannabinoid system in salvinorin A-induced delay in motility in the inflamed gut.Motility in vivo was measured by evaluating the distribution of a fluorescent marker along the small intestine; intestinal inflammation was induced by the irritant croton oil; direct or indirect activity at cannabinoid receptors was evaluated by means of binding, enzymic and cellular uptake assays.Salvinorin A as well as the KOR agonist U-50488 reduced motility in croton oil treated mice. The inhibitory effect of both salvinorin A and U-50488 was counteracted by the KOR antagonist nor-binaltorphimine and by the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist rimonabant. Rimonabant, however, did not counteract the inhibitory effect of salvinorin A on motility in control mice. Binding experiments showed very weak affinity of salvinorin A for cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) and no inhibitory effect on 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide hydrolysis and cellular uptake.The inhibitory effect of salvinorin A on motility reveals a functional interaction between cannabinoid CB(1) receptors and KORs in the inflamed--but not in the normal--gut in vivo.

Cannabinoids modulate nitric oxide (NO) levels in cells of the central nervous system. Here we studied the effect of cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptor agonists on the release of NO and cell toxicity induced by the human immuno-deficiency virus-1 Tat protein (HIV-1 Tat) in rat glioma C6 cells. The CB(1) and CB(2) agonist WIN 55,212-2 inhibited the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and NO release caused by treatment of C6 cells with HIV-1 Tat and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The effect of WIN 55,212-2 was uniquely due to CB(1) receptors, as shown by experiments carried out with selective CB(1) and CB(2) receptor agonists and antagonists. CB(1) receptor stimulation also inhibited HIV-1 Tat + IFN-gamma-induced and NO-mediated cell toxicity. Moreover, cell treatment with HIV-1 Tat + IFN-gamma induced a significant inhibition of CB(1), but not CB(2), receptor expression. This effect was mimicked by the NO donor GSNO, suggesting that the inhibition of CB(1) expression was due to HIV-1 Tat + IFN-gamma-induced NO overexpression. HIV-1 Tat + IFN-gamma treatment also induced a significant inhibition of the uptake of the endocannabinoid anandamide by C6 cells with no effect on anandamide hydrolysis. These findings show that the endocannabinoid system, through the modulation of the l-arginine/NO pathway, reduces HIV-1 Tat-induced cytotoxicity, and is itself regulated by HIV-1 Tat.

Summary • BJP now requires sex to be considered as an experimental variable for all experimental reporting. This will affect the details of the experimental design that are documented or, in the absence of a design incorporating both sexes, a full justification for that approach. • We recommend that all experiments (in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo) should include both sexes, unless there is a specific justification or exemption, such as when using immortalised cell lines or tissue derived from a sex organ. • Multifactorial designs should be used to study the overall effects of Sex, Treatment (i.e., the experimental intervention), and their interaction. • Authors should consider the implications for the study findings when testing males and females in close proximity, particularly in behavioural studies, and describe these implications in the discus- sion of the manuscript.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are well established to have promising therapeutic properties. TNF-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6), a potent tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory factor, has been demonstrated to be responsible for a significant part of the tissue-protecting properties mediated by MSCs. Nevertheless, current knowledge about the biological function of TSG-6 in MSCs is limited. Here, we demonstrated that TSG-6 is a crucial factor that influences many functional properties of MSCs. The transcriptomic sequencing analysis of wild-type (WT) and TSG-6−/−-MSCs shows that the loss of TSG-6 expression leads to the perturbation of several transcription factors, cytokines, and other key biological pathways. TSG-6−/−-MSCs appeared morphologically different with dissimilar cytoskeleton organization, significantly reduced size of extracellular vesicles, decreased cell proliferative rate, and loss of differentiation abilities compared with the WT cells. These cellular effects may be due to TSG-6-mediated changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. The supplementation of ECM with exogenous TSG-6, in fact, rescued cell proliferation and changes in morphology. Importantly, TSG-6-deficient MSCs displayed an increased capacity to release interleukin-6 conferring pro-inflammatory and pro-tumorigenic properties to the MSCs. Overall, our data provide strong evidence that TSG-6 is crucial for the maintenance of stemness and other biological properties of murine MSCs.

Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum is a medicinal plant used in Lebanon to reduce pain and smooth muscle spasms. A chloroform extract obtained from M. globosum aerial parts reduced acetylcholine-induced contractions in the isolated mouse ileum. The purification of this extract identified, among 12 isolated labdane diterpenoids, four new compounds, named 13-epicyllenin A (4), 13,15-diepicyllenin A (5), marrulibacetal (9), and marrulactone (11). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compound 9, which exerted antispasmodic activity, is likely the active ingredient of the extract. Preliminary structure-activity relationships for this class of compounds are suggested.

Components of the so-called endocannabinoid system, i.e., cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids, as well as enzymes involved in endocannabinoid synthesis and degradation, have been identified both in the gastrointestinal and in the urinary tract. Evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system is implicated in many gastrointestinal and urinary physiological and pathophysiological processes, including epithelial cell growth, inflammation, analgesia, and motor function. A pharmacological modulation of the endocannabinoid system might be beneficial for widespread diseases such as gastrointestinal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, cystitis, and hyperactive bladder. Drugs that inhibit endocannabinoid degradation and raise the level of endocannabinoids, non-psychotropic cannabinoids (notably cannabidiol), and palmitoylethanolamide, an acylethanolamide co-released with the endocannabinoid anandamide, are promising candidates for gastrointestinal and urinary diseases.