Cannabinoids and the digestive tract.

In the digestive tract there is evidence for the presence of high levels of endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) and enzymes involved in the synthesis and metabolism of endocannabinoids. Immunohistochemical studies have shown the presence of CB1 receptors on myenteric and submucosal nerve plexuses along the alimentary tract. Pharmacological studies have shown that activation of CB1 receptors produces relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter, inhibition of gastric motility and acid secretion, as well as intestinal motility and secretion. In general, CB1-induced inhibition of intestinal motility and secretion is due to reduced acetylcholine release from enteric nerves. Conversely, endocannabinoids stimulate intestinal primary sensory neurons via the vanilloid VR1 receptor, resulting in enteritis and enhanced motility. The endogenous cannabinoid system has been found to be involved in the physiological control of colonic motility and in some pathophysiological states, including paralytic ileus, intestinal inflammation and cholera toxin-induced diarrhoea. Cannabinoids also possess antiemetic effects mediated by activation of central and peripheral CB1 receptors. Pharmacological modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system could provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of a number of gastrointestinal diseases, including nausea and vomiting, gastric ulcers, secretory diarrhoea, paralytic ileus, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer and gastro-oesophageal reflux conditions.

Agonist-induced internalization and trafficking of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in hippocampal neurons.

Agonist-induced internalization of G-protein-coupled receptors is an important mechanism for regulating receptor abundance and availability at the plasma membrane. In this study we have used immunolabeling techniques and confocal microscopy to investigate agonist-induced internalization and trafficking of CB(1) receptors in rat cultured hippocampal neurons. The levels of cell surface CB(1) receptor immunoreactivity associated with presynaptic GABAergic terminals decreased markedly (by up to 84%) after exposure to the cannabinoid agonist (+)-WIN55212, in a concentration-dependent (0.1-1 microm) and stereoselective manner. Inhibition was maximal at 16 hr and abolished in the presence of SR141716A, a selective CB(1) receptor antagonist. Methanandamide (an analog of an endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide) also reduced cell surface labeling (by 43% at 1 microm). Differential labeling of cell surface and intracellular pools of receptor demonstrated that the reduction in cell surface immunoreactivity reflects agonist-induced internalization and suggests that the internalized CB(1) receptors are translocated toward the soma. The internalization process did not require activated G-protein alpha(i) or alpha(o) subunits. A different pattern of cell surface CB(1) receptor expression was observed using an undifferentiated F-11 cell line, which had pronounced somatic labeling. In these cells substantial CB(1) receptor internalization was also observed after exposure to (+)-WIN55212 (1 microm) for relatively short periods (30 min) of agonist exposure. In summary, this dynamic modulation of CB(1) receptor expression may play an important role in the development of cannabinoid tolerance in the CNS. Agonist-induced internalization at presynaptic terminals has important implications for the modulatory effects of G-protein-coupled receptors on neurotransmitter release.

Actions of cannabinoid receptor ligands on rat cultured sensory neurones: implications for antinociception.

Cannabinoids modulate nociceptive processing in models of acute, inflammatory and neuropathic pain. We have investigated the location and function of cannabinoid receptors on cultured neonatal dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones and F-11 cells, a dorsal root ganglionxneuroblastoma hybridoma which displays several of the features of authentic DRG neurones. CB(1) receptor immunolabelling was observed on the cell bodies and as fine puncta on processes of both cultured DRG neurones and F-11 cells. Additionally, fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis provided evidence that both CB(1) and CB(2) receptors are expressed on populations of cells within the cultured DRG and F-11 cells. The cannabinoid receptor agonist (+)-WIN55212 (10 and 100 nM) inhibited the mean voltage-activated Ca(2+) current in DRG neurones by 21% and 30%, respectively. The isomer, (-)-WIN55212 (10 and 100 nM) produced significantly less inhibition of 6% and 10% respectively. The CB(1) selective receptor antagonist SR141716A (100 nM) enhanced the peak high voltage-activated Ca(2+) current by 24% and simultaneous application of SR141716A (100 nM) and (+)-WIN55212 (100 nM) resulted in a significant attenuation of the inhibition obtained with (+)-WIN55212 alone. These data give functional evidence for the hypothesis that the analgesic actions of cannabinoids may be mediated by presynaptic inhibition of transmitter release in sensory neurones.

Functional expression of cell surface cannabinoid CB(1) receptors on presynaptic inhibitory terminals in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

At present, little is known about the mechanisms by which cannabinoids exert their effects on the central nervous system. In this study, fluorescence imaging and electrophysiological techniques were used to investigate the functional relationship between cell surface cannabinoid type 1 (CB(1)) receptors and GABAergic synaptic transmission in cultured hippocampal neurons. CB(1) receptors were labelled on living neurons using a polyclonal antibody directed against the N-terminal 77 amino acid residues of the rat cloned CB(1) receptor. Highly punctate CB(1) receptor labelling was observed on fine axons and at axonal growth cones, with little somatic labelling. The majority of these sites were associated with synaptic terminals, identified either with immunohistochemical markers or by using the styryl dye FM1-43 to label synaptic vesicles that had undergone active turnover. Dual labelling of neurons for CB(1) receptors with either the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA or its synthesising enzyme glutamate decarboxylase, demonstrated a strong correspondence. The immunocytochemical data was supported by functional studies using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). The cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2 (100nM) markedly inhibited (by 77+/-6.3%) the frequency of pharmacologically-isolated GABAergic mIPSCs. The effects of WIN55,212-2 were blocked in the presence of the selective CB(1) receptor antagonist SR141716A (100nM).In conclusion, the present data show that cell surface CB(1) receptors are expressed at presynaptic GABAergic terminals, where their activation inhibits GABA release. Their presence on growth cones could indicate a role in the targeting of inhibitory connections during development.

Comparison of novel cannabinoid partial agonists and SR141716A in the guinea-pig small intestine.

The controversial nature of the CB(1) receptor antagonist, SR141716A, in the guinea-pig small intestine was investigated by comparing it with four analogues of Delta(8)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(8)-THC): O-1184, O-1238, O-584 and O-1315. These compounds (10 - 1000 nM) inhibited the electrically-evoked contractions with a rank order of potency of O-1238>O-1184>O-584>O-1315. Log concentration-response curves for O-1238, O-1184 and O-1315 were significantly shifted to the right by SR141716A and the maxima were significantly less than that of the CB(1) agonist, WIN55212-2, an indication of partial agonism. Partial saturation of the triple bond in O-1184 to a cis double bond (O-1238) increased its potency as an agonist (pEC(50) from 6.42 to 7.63) and as an antagonist of WIN55212-2, (pK(B), from 8.36 to 9.49). Substitution of the terminal azide group by an ethyl group (O-584) or removal of the phenolic hydroxyl group (O-1315) had no significant effect on the agonist or antagonist potency. None of these analogues increased the twitch response in a manner resembling that of SR141716A. O-1184 (10 and 100 nM) shifted the log concentration-response curve of WIN55212-2 for inhibition of the twitch responses to the right with pK(B) values of 8.29 and 8.38, respectively. We conclude that these Delta(8)-THC analogues behave as partial agonists rather than silent antagonists at CB(1) binding sites in this tissue. There was no evidence of antagonism of endocannabinoids thus supporting the hypothesis that, in this tissue, SR141716A is an inverse agonist of constitutively active CB(1) receptors.

Evidence that cannabinoid-induced inhibition of electrically evoked contractions of the myenteric plexus--longitudinal muscle preparation of guinea-pig small intestine can be modulated by Ca2+ and cAMP.

Cannabinoid receptor agonists inhibit electrically evoked isometric contractions of the myenteric plexus--longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig small intestine (MPLM), probably by reducing release of acetylcholine (ACh) through the activation of prejunctional CB1 receptors. As CB1 receptors are thought to be negatively coupled through Gi/o proteins to both N-type Ca2+ channels and adenylate cyclase, we have now further investigated the involvement of CB1 receptors by monitoring the effects of forskolin, 8-bromo-cAMP, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), and extracellular Ca2+ on the ability of the cannabinoid agonist, (+)-WIN 55212 to inhibit electrically evoked contractions of the MPLM (0.1 Hz, 0.5 ms, and 110% maximal voltage). Some experiments were performed with normorphine instead of (+)-WIN 55212. At 10(-7) M, forskolin, 8-bromo-cAMP, and IBMX were found to reduce significantly the maximum inhibitory response to (+)-WIN 55212 by 49.4, 48.4, and 40.2%, respectively, without affecting control contractions or responses to exogenous ACh. Low external Ca2+ (0.64 mM) significantly increased the maximum response to (+)-WIN 55212 and shifted the curve slightly leftwards, whereas high external Ca2+ (5.08 mM) reduced the maximum response by 27.2%. The concentration-response curve to normorphine, which also reduces evoked contractions of this preparation as a result of a presynaptic inhibition of ACh release via opioid mu receptors, was affected similarly. These results support the hypothesis that cannabinoid-induced inhibition in the MPLM is mediated by CB1 receptors.

Inhibition by cannabinoid receptor agonists of acetylcholine release from the guinea-pig myenteric plexus.

1. The dose-related inhibition of the twitch responses of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig small intestine by cannabinoid (CB) agonists, (+)-WIN 55212 and CP 55940 during stimulation at 0.1 Hz with supramaximal voltage was confirmed. These agonists inhibited acetylcholine (ACh) release in the presence of physostigmine (7.7 microM) thus indicating a prejunctional site of action. 2. Inhibition of twitch responses and ACh release by CB agonists was reversed by the CB1-selective cannabinoid receptor antagonist, SR141716A. Dose-response curves to (+)-WIN 55212 and CP 55940 were shifted to the right, with no reduction of maximal response, by pretreatment with SR141716A (31.6-1000 nM), but not its vehicle, Tween 80 (1 microM). However, at very high concentrations (25-400 microM), Tween 80 itself caused a dose-related inhibition of the twitch response which was significantly reduced in the presence of SR141716A (1 microM). The opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (1 microM) had no significant effect on the inhibition by CP 55940 of the twitch response. 3. (+)-WIN 55212, CP 55940 and Tween 80 (50 microM) had no effect on responses to exogenous ACh, confirming that their actions were prejunctional. SR141716A (1 microM) did not increase the sensitivity of the longitudinal muscle to either ACh or histamine, but inhibited the responses to high doses of ACh. 4. The (-)-enantiomer of WIN 55212, was approximately 300 times less active than the (+) enantiomer in inhibiting the twitch response, had no CB1 antagonist activity against the active isomer and did not inhibit the release of ACh in the presence of physostigmine. 5. The dissociation constant (KD) values for SR 141716A against the inhibitory effect of (+)-WIN 55212 and CP 55940 on the twitch response were 12.07 nM (95% confidence intervals 8.55 and 20.83) and 6.44 nM (95% confidence intervals 4.70 and 10.24), respectively. In experiments in which the release of ACh was inhibited by (+)-WIN 55212, the KD values were 9.21 nM and 10.53 nM at SR141716A concentrations of 31.6 nM and 100 nM, respectively. The KD values for the antagonism by naloxone of the inhibition of the twitch responses and the inhibition of ACh release by normorphine in this preparation were found to be 2.38 +/- 0.69 nM and 2.00 +/- 0.9 nM, respectively. 6. During maximal inhibition of ACh release by (+)-WIN 55212, the addition of normorphine (400 nM) caused a further significant decrease in ACh output. 7. SR141716A alone produced a significant increase in ACh release in both the absence and presence of exogenous cannabinoid drugs, hence we conclude that it has a presynaptic site of action. We also conclude that SR141716A acts either by antagonizing the effect of an endogenous CB1 receptor agonist or by having an inverse agonist effect at these receptors.

Further evidence for the presence of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in guinea-pig small intestine.

1. CP 50,556, CP 55,940, nabilone, CP 56,667, delta 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol each inhibited electrically-evoked contractions of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of guinea-pig small intestine in a concentration-related manner. The IC50 values of these cannabinoids, respectively 3.45, 3.46, 30.61, 162.94, 214.63, and 3913.5 nM, correlate well with previously obtained potency values for displacement of [3H]-CP 55,940 from cannabinoid binding sites. 2. Electrically-evoked contractions of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation were also inhibited by AM 630 (6-iodo-pravadoline) and by WIN 55,212-2 (IC50 = 1923.0 and 5.54 nM, respectively). The present finding that AM 630 is an agonist, contrasts with a previous observation that it behaves as a cannabinoid receptor antagonist in the mouse isolated vas deferens. 3. SR141716A produced dose-related parallel rightward shifts in the log concentration-response curves of CP 55,940, WIN 55,212-2, THC and AM 630 for inhibition of electrically-evoked contractions of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation. SR141716A (1 microM) did not reverse the inhibitory effects of normorphine and clonidine on electrically-evoked contractions or potentiate the contractile response to acetylcholine. 4. Doses of naloxone and yohimbine that reversed the inhibitory effects of normorphine or clonidine on electrically-evoked contractions of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation did not affect the inhibitory response to WIN 55,212-2. 5. Electrically-evoked release of acetylcholine from strips of myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle was decreased by 200 nM CP 55,940 and this inhibitory effect was almost completely reversed by 1 microM SR141716A. Acetylcholine-induced contractions were not affected by 200 nM CP 55,940. 6. These results support the hypothesis that guinea-pig small intestine contains prejunctional cannabinoid CB1 receptors through which cannabinoids act to inhibit electrically-evoked contractions by reducing release of the contractile transmitter, acetylcholine. 7. THC was found to be more susceptible to antagonism by SR141716A than CP 55,940 or AM 630, raising the possibility that guinea-pig small intestine contains more than one type of cannabinoid receptor. 8. At concentrations of 10 nM and above, SR141716A produced small but significant increases in the amplitude of electrically-evoked contractions of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation suggesting that this tissue may release an endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist or that some cannabinoid receptors in this tissue are precoupled and that SR141716A can reduce the number of receptors in this state.

Responses of human skin to intradermal injection of leukotrienes C4, D4 and B4.

The ability of intradermally injected leukotrienes C4 (LTC4), LTD4 and LTB4 to produce inflammatory changes in human skin alone and in combination with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been investigated. LTC4 and D4 (0.012-0.38 nmol) caused dose-related erythema and wealing. No evidence of synergism between PGE2 and LTC4 or LTD4 was detected, although only single dose combinations were studied. LTB4 (0.15-1.5 nmol) caused areas of induration which persisted for more than 4 h and which showed perivascular neutrophil infiltrates on histological examination. Only slight synergism between PGE2 and LTB4 was found. It was concluded that these pro-inflammatory properties of LTC4, LTD4 and LTB4 are consistent with their proposed roles as mediators of inflammation in the skin and other tissues.

Vascular responses of human skin to injection of substance P and mechanism of action.

The mechanism of cutaneous inflammation caused by substance P in human skin was assessed in five subjects receiving i.d. injections (5-405 pmol) at pH 7.2 as compared to histamine (0.08-1.6 nmol), compound 48/80 (100 ng) and solvent control. Both substance P and histamine produced sigmoid dose-response curves for the following parameters: 1 min and 5 min planimetrically measured areas of erythema, and mean diameter of weal. Substance P pretreatment induced tachyphylaxis, as assessed by standard methods with adequate controls, to both histamine and to substance P and vice versa. Erythema following substance P i.d. was not blocked by a constricting band. Diphenhydramine, and to a lesser extent doxantrazole, (but not cimetidine or indomethacin) when assessed as inhibitors after oral pretreatment, did shift dose response curves for histamine and substance P to the right. Light and electron microscopic assessment of mast cells was compared in substance P and solvent control injected human skin. These results support a possible role for substance P in cutaneous inflammation acting either directly or via histamine release from mast cells.

Adenosine triphosphate-evoked vascular changes in human skin: mechanism of action.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine, adenine and inosine were injected intradermally into the backs of human volunteers. ATP, ADP and AMP evoked weal and flare responses in the skin in a dose dependent manner. The rank order of potency was ATP greater than ADP greater than AMP; other metabolites were apparently inactive. The potency of ATP was approximately 0.002 times that of histamine. In the forearm, cross tachyphylaxis was demonstrated between ATP and histamine weals; also the flare due to injected ATP spread beyond a band which was applied to prevent diffusion, indicating that the flare is neurogenic. Injections of ATP and high doses of ADP produced a sensation of persistent pain, unlike histamine which produced transient pain or itch on some occasions, and saline which was without effect. The possible involvement of histamine, mast cells and prostaglandins in the response was examined. The inhibitory actions of systemic pretreatment with diphenhydramine suggests that the erythema and wealing responses to ATP are at least partly due to ATP-evoked histamine release. Indomethacin, doxantrazole and cimetidine did not alter the ATP reaction.