ABSTRACT
The cannabinoid system has been recently described, including the endogenous ligands, mainly arachidonic acid derivatives, and their specific receptors. Endocannabinoids are involved in the modulation of synaptic transmission, through which they exert their psychoactive, motor and antinociceptive effects, among others; they also exert extraneural effects, mainly immunomodulation and vasodilation. Recent data suggest that the cannabinoid system might play an important role in human ontogeny and could participate in the implantation and early development of the embryo, in fetal brain development, and in the beginning of breast feeding after birth. In addition, the vasodilatory effect of cannabinoids, together with inhibition of the release of excitotoxic amino acids and cytokines, as well as modulation of oxidative stress and the toxic production of nitric oxide, justify the growing evidence pointing to a possible neuroprotective effect of cannabinoids in perinatal asphyxia.
Subject(s)
Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators/physiology , Neurotransmitter Agents/physiology , Perinatology , Receptors, Cannabinoid/physiology , Vasodilation/physiology , B-Lymphocytes/physiology , Central Nervous System/physiology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Signal Transduction/physiologyABSTRACT
El cannabinoide es un sistema de reciente descubrimiento, constituido por unos ligandos endógenos, que mayoritariamente derivan del ácido araquidónico, y sus receptores específicos. Los endocannabinoides participan en la regulación de la transmisión sináptica, mediante la cual ejercen sus efectos psicoactivos, motores y anticonceptivos, entre otros; asimismo desarrollan efectos extraneurales, especialmente inmunomodulación y vasodilatación. Los descubrimientos recientes apuntan a un papel relevante de este sistema en la ontogenia del ser humano, postulándose una participación destacada en la implantación y desarrollo inicial del embrión, en el desarrollo cerebral fetal, y en el inicio de la lactancia tras el nacimiento. Asimismo, sus efectos vasodilatadores e inhibidores de la liberación de aminoácidos excitotóxicos y de citocinas, así como moduladores del estrés oxidativo y de la producción tóxica de óxido nítrico, justifican la creciente evidencia de un posible papel neuroprotector de los cannabinoides en la asfixia perinatal
The cannabinoid system has been recently described, including the endogenous ligands, mainly arachidonic acid derivatives, and their specific receptors. Endocannabinoids are involved in the modulation of synaptic transmission, through which they exert their psychoactive, motor and antinociceptive effects, among others; they also exert extraneural effects, mainly immunomodulation and vasodilation. Recent data suggest that the cannabinoid system might play an important role in human ontogeny and could participate in the implantation and early development of the embryo, in fetal brain development, and in the beginning of breast feeding after birth. In addition, the vasodilatory effect of cannabinoids, together with inhibition of the release of excitotoxic amino acids and cytokines, as well as modulation of oxidative stress and the toxic production of nitric oxide, justify the growing evidence pointing to a possible neuroprotective effect of cannabinoids in perinatal asphyxia
