The cannabinoid WIN 55212-2 mitigates apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction after hypoxia ischemia.

Perinatal hypoxia-ischemia has significant mortality and morbidity due to there is still no specific treatment as a consequence of the complexities of hypoxic-ischemic pathophysiology. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55212-2 on apoptotic cell death and mitochondrial dysfunction after perinatal asphyxia in fetal lambs. Animals were assigned to: one SHAM group and two hypoxic-ischemic groups that received a dose of 0.01 µg/kg WIN 55,212-2 (HI + WIN) or not (HI + VEH) after 60 min of partial occlusion of the umbilical cord, and sacrificed 3 h later. Different brain regions were separated for morphological studies, and the same territories were dissociated and analyzed by flow cytometry to quantify apoptosis, to determine mitochondrial integrity and transmembrane potential and to analyze intracellular calcium levels. Our results showed that WIN 55,212-2 reduced apoptotic cell death in all regions studied through the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity and functionality.

[Tracheal agenesis associated with laryngeal malformations as an unusual cause of airway failure]. / Agenesia traqueal asociada a malformaciones laríngeas como causa inusual de fracaso de la vía aérea.

Tracheal agenesis is an uncommon congenital malformation with an extremely high mortality rate. This malformation manifests after delivery as severe respiratory distress, cyanosis, lack of crying and impossibility of endotracheal respiratory support. This anomaly is usually associated with cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal malformations. Only a high index of suspicion and early surgical management will prevent death. An early diagnosis may also help the parents and the medical team to take appropriate decisions. Currently, there is no effective therapy that guarantees long-term survival.

Agenesia traqueal asociada a malformaciones laríngeas como causa inusual de fracaso de la vía aérea / Tracheal agenesis associated with laryngeal malformations as an unusual cause of airway failure

La agenesia traqueal es una malformación congénita infrecuente con una tasa de mortalidad extremadamente alta. Se presenta tras el nacimiento como distrés respiratorio severo, cianosis, ausencia de llanto e imposibilidad de soporte respiratorio endotraqueal. En la mayoría de los casos, se asocia con malformaciones cardiovasculares, gastrointestinales y respiratorias. La sospecha diagnóstica y un manejo quirúrgico precoz son la única vía para prevenir el fatal desenlace. Además, el diagnóstico precoz puede ayudar a los padres y al equipo médico a tomar las decisiones apropiadas. Hoy en día, no existe terapia definitiva eficaz que garantice una supervivencia a largo plazo

Tracheal agenesis is an uncommon congenital malformation with an extremely high mortality rate. This malformation manifests after delivery as severe respiratory distress, cyanosis, lack of crying and impossibility of endotracheal respiratory support. This anomaly is usually associated with cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal malformations. Only a high index of suspicion and early surgical management will prevent death. An early diagnosis may also help the parents and the medical team to take appropriate decisions. Currently, there is no effective therapy that guarantees long-term survival

[The cannabinoid system and its importance in the perinatal period]. / El sistema cannabinoide y su importancia en el período 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.

El sistema cannabinoide y su importancia en el período perinatal / The cannabinoid system and its importance in the perinatal period

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