A sinalização por endocanabinóides é finalizada por meio de hidrólise enzimática; um processo que para o endocanabinóide 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) é mediado pela lipase monoacilglicerol (MAGL). O JZL184, é um fármaco que apresenta alta seletividade na inibição da MAGL. Assim, o JZL184 aumenta os níveis de 2-AG que, por sua vez, atua sobre os receptores canabinóides CB1 e CB2 produzindo diversos efeitos como, por exemplo, o anti-inflamatório. A inflamação pulmonar aguda (ALI) e a sua forma mais grave, a síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA), em humanos, são doenças pulmonares, caracterizadas por infiltrado pulmonar bilateral com acúmulo de neutrófilos. A sepse é a causa mais comum da ALI/SDRA; aproximadamente 40% de pacientes com sépsis, também apresentam ALI ou ARDS e a ALI/ARDS são síndromes graves associadas com mortalidade superior a 40%. Considerando que não há cura para a ARDS / ALI, foi utilizado um modelo murino de ALI para averiguar se a inibição da MAGL seria capaz de aliviar os sintomas inflamatórios ou, até mesmo, promover a cura do processo. Para isso, foram analisados fatores que promovem a migração de leucócitos para o pulmão e o dano tecidual. Ainda, para avaliar se os LPS e/ou o JZL184 promoveram mudanças no sistema nervoso central, foram avaliados a atividade locomotora no campo aberto (CA), a ansiedade no labirinto (LCE), a capacidade de adaptação em CA e os níveis de glicocorticóides séricos, assim como os níveis hipotalâmicos de citocinas. Assim, o JZL184, foi administrado por via intraperitoneal (i.p.) e 60 minutos depois o LPS foi instilado por via intranasal. As análises foram realizadas 6, 24 e/ou 48 horas após a indução da ALI. Observou-se que a inibição MAGL diminuiu a migração de leucócitos para os pulmões, bem como a permeabilidade vascular e o dano tecidual. O JZL184 também reduziu os níveis de citocinas e quimiocinas e o extravasamento vascular no lavado bronco alveolar (LBA), a atividade de MPO no tecido pulmonar e a expressão da molécula de adesão no sangue e no LBA. Os receptores CB1 e CB2 foram considerados como envolvidos nos efeitos anti-inflamatórios produzidos pelo JZL184 porque o AM281, um antagonista seletivo do receptor CB1, e o AM630, um antagonista seletivo do receptor CB2, reduziram ou bloquearam os efeitos anti-inflamatórios para JZL184. O LPS e o JZL184 não promoveram comportamento doentio e tampouco alteraram os parâmetros de ansiedade. Entretanto, o LPS e/ou o JZL184 aumentaram a expressão gênica de citocinas hipotalâmicas. Concluiu-se que a inibição MAGL produziu efeitos anti-inflamatórios no modelo murino de ALI induzida por LPS, uma descoberta que foi considerada uma consequência da ativação dos receptores canabinóide CB1 e CB2. A inibição da MAGL pode ser, no futuro, uma ferramenta terapêutica relevante para o tratamento de inflamações pulmonares / Endocannabinoid signaling is terminated by enzymatic hydrolysis, a process that, for 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), is mediated by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). The JZL184, is a drug that inhibits MAGL and presents high potency and selectivity. Thus, JZL184 increases the levels of 2-AG, an endocannabinoid that acts on the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, and has shown anti-inflammatory effects. Acute lung injury (ALI) and its most severe form the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), in humans, are lung diseases, characterized by bilateral pulmonary infiltrate with neutrophils accumulation. The sepsis is the most common cause of ALI / ARDS; approximately 40% of patients with sepsis have also ALI or ARDS. ALI and ARDS are severe syndromes associated with mortality 40% exceeding rates. Considering that there is no cure for ARDS/ALI, we used a ALI murine model to evaluate if the MAGL inhibition was able to alleviating the inflammatory symptoms or even promote the cure. For this, factors that promote migration of leukocytes into the lungs and the tissue damage were analyzed. Still, to assess whether LPS and / or JZL184 promoted changes in the central nervous system, the locomotor activity and ability to adapt were evaluated in the open field end the anxiety in the plus maze. Were also evaluated the glucocorticoid levels in the serum, and the hypothalamic levels of cytokines. Thus, the JZL184 was used intraperitoneally, 60 minutes after LPS was intranasally instilled and 6, 24 and/or 48 hours, after induction of ALI, analyzes were performed. It was observed that the MAGL inhibition decreased the leukocyte migration into the lungs as well as the vascular permeability and the lung damage. JZL184 also reduced the cytokine and chemokine levels and the vascular extravasation in the BAL, the MPO activity in the lungs and adhesion molecule expression in the blood and BAL. The CB1 and CB2 receptors were considered involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of JZL184 because the AM281, a selective CB1 receptor antagonist, and the AM630, a selective CB2 receptor antagonist, reduced or blocked the anti-inflammatory effects previously described for JZL184. The LPS and the JZL184 did not promote unhealthy behavior and did not change the parameters of anxiety. However, LPS and/orJZL184 increased gene expression of hypothalamic cytokines. It was concluded that MAGL inhibition produced anti-inflammatory effects in a murine model of LPS-induced ALI, a finding that was considered a consequence of the activation of the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. The MAGL inhibition in the future may be a therapeutic tool for the pulmonary inflammation treatment

A sinalização por endocanabinóides é finalizada por meio de hidrólise enzimática; um processo que para o endocanabinóide 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) é mediado pela lipase monoacilglicerol (MAGL). O JZL184, é um fármaco que apresenta alta seletividade na inibição da MAGL. Assim, o JZL184 aumenta os níveis de 2-AG que, por sua vez, atua sobre os receptores canabinóides CB1 e CB2 produzindo diversos efeitos como, por exemplo, o anti-inflamatório. A inflamação pulmonar aguda (ALI) e a sua forma mais grave, a síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA), em humanos, são doenças pulmonares, caracterizadas por infiltrado pulmonar bilateral com acúmulo de neutrófilos. A sepse é a causa mais comum da ALI/SDRA; aproximadamente 40% de pacientes com sépsis, também apresentam ALI ou ARDS e a ALI/ARDS são síndromes graves associadas com mortalidade superior a 40%. Considerando que não há cura para a ARDS / ALI, foi utilizado um modelo murino de ALI para averiguar se a inibição da MAGL seria capaz de aliviar os sintomas inflamatórios ou, até mesmo, promover a cura do processo. Para isso, foram analisados fatores que promovem a migração de leucócitos para o pulmão e o dano tecidual. Ainda, para avaliar se os LPS e/ou o JZL184 promoveram mudanças no sistema nervoso central, foram avaliados a atividade locomotora no campo aberto (CA), a ansiedade no labirinto (LCE), a capacidade de adaptação em CA e os níveis de glicocorticóides séricos, assim como os níveis hipotalâmicos de citocinas. Assim, o JZL184, foi administrado por via intraperitoneal (i.p.) e 60 minutos depois o LPS foi instilado por via intranasal. As análises foram realizadas 6, 24 e/ou 48 horas após a indução da ALI. Observou-se que a inibição MAGL diminuiu a migração de leucócitos para os pulmões, bem como a permeabilidade vascular e o dano tecidual. O JZL184 também reduziu os níveis de citocinas e quimiocinas e o extravasamento vascular no lavado bronco alveolar (LBA), a atividade de MPO no tecido pulmonar e a expressão da molécula de adesão no sangue e no LBA. Os receptores CB1 e CB2 foram considerados como envolvidos nos efeitos anti-inflamatórios produzidos pelo JZL184 porque o AM281, um antagonista seletivo do receptor CB1, e o AM630, um antagonista seletivo do receptor CB2, reduziram ou bloquearam os efeitos anti-inflamatórios para JZL184. O LPS e o JZL184 não promoveram comportamento doentio e tampouco alteraram os parâmetros de ansiedade. Entretanto, o LPS e/ou o JZL184 aumentaram a expressão gênica de citocinas hipotalâmicas. Concluiu-se que a inibição MAGL produziu efeitos anti-inflamatórios no modelo murino de ALI induzida por LPS, uma descoberta que foi considerada uma consequência da ativação dos receptores canabinóide CB1 e CB2. A inibição da MAGL pode ser, no futuro, uma ferramenta terapêutica relevante para o tratamento de inflamações pulmonares / Endocannabinoid signaling is terminated by enzymatic hydrolysis, a process that, for 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), is mediated by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). The JZL184, is a drug that inhibits MAGL and presents high potency and selectivity. Thus, JZL184 increases the levels of 2-AG, an endocannabinoid that acts on the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors, and has shown anti-inflammatory effects. Acute lung injury (ALI) and its most severe form the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), in humans, are lung diseases, characterized by bilateral pulmonary infiltrate with neutrophils accumulation. The sepsis is the most common cause of ALI / ARDS; approximately 40% of patients with sepsis have also ALI or ARDS. ALI and ARDS are severe syndromes associated with mortality 40% exceeding rates. Considering that there is no cure for ARDS/ALI, we used a ALI murine model to evaluate if the MAGL inhibition was able to alleviating the inflammatory symptoms or even promote the cure. For this, factors that promote migration of leukocytes into the lungs and the tissue damage were analyzed. Still, to assess whether LPS and / or JZL184 promoted changes in the central nervous system, the locomotor activity and ability to adapt were evaluated in the open field end the anxiety in the plus maze. Were also evaluated the glucocorticoid levels in the serum, and the hypothalamic levels of cytokines. Thus, the JZL184 was used intraperitoneally, 60 minutes after LPS was intranasally instilled and 6, 24 and/or 48 hours, after induction of ALI, analyzes were performed. It was observed that the MAGL inhibition decreased the leukocyte migration into the lungs as well as the vascular permeability and the lung damage. JZL184 also reduced the cytokine and chemokine levels and the vascular extravasation in the BAL, the MPO activity in the lungs and adhesion molecule expression in the blood and BAL. The CB1 and CB2 receptors were considered involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of JZL184 because the AM281, a selective CB1 receptor antagonist, and the AM630, a selective CB2 receptor antagonist, reduced or blocked the anti-inflammatory effects previously described for JZL184. The LPS and the JZL184 did not promote unhealthy behavior and did not change the parameters of anxiety. However, LPS and/orJZL184 increased gene expression of hypothalamic cytokines. It was concluded that MAGL inhibition produced anti-inflammatory effects in a murine model of LPS-induced ALI, a finding that was considered a consequence of the activation of the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. The MAGL inhibition in the future may be a therapeutic tool for the pulmonary inflammation treatment

ROLE OF MAGL INHIBITION IN NICOTINE WITHDRAWAL AND REWARD. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. by Pretal Ishvarlal Patel Muldoon Director: M. Imad Damaj, PhD Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. Nicotine, the main psychoactive component of tobacco, sustains and initiates tobacco addiction. Cessation of nicotine induces a dependence withdrawal syndrome. Recent in vivo studies indicate that the endocannabinoid (EC) system modulates both nicotine reward and withdrawal. The purpose of this proposal is to investigate the role of enhancing endogenous 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and by blocking its degradative enzyme, monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) enzyme, in nicotine reward and dependence. The selective MAGL inhibitor JZL184 dose-dependently reduced both precipitated and spontaneous somatic and aversive withdrawal signs in mice. These effects were blocked by rimonabant indicating a CB1 receptor mechanism. Furthermore, repeated administration of JZL184 for 6 days did not produce tolerance to the alleviation of withdrawal and the treatment did not induce alterations in CB1 receptor levels or receptor-mediated G-protein activity in various brain regions. In addition, a decrease in 2-AG levels was found in the nucleus accumbens in nicotine-dependent mice undergoing precipitated withdrawal, suggesting that a dysregulation of this EC signaling system occurs during nicotine withdrawal. Lastly, we tested the effectiveness of a combination of low-dose JZL184 and high dose of the FAAH inhibitor PF-3845 on spontaneous nicotine withdrawal. Indeed, the combination of low-dose JZL184 and PF-3845 significantly attenuated nicotine spontaneous withdrawal signs. MAGL inhibition by JZL184 dose-dependently caused a significant blockade of nicotine reward as measured in the mouse conditioned place preference (CPP). In contrast to withdrawal, JZL184’s effect on nicotine CPP was not CB1 mediated. In addition, JZL184 treatment did not cause significant alterations in CB1 receptor levels or receptor-mediated G-protein activity in several brain regions involved in nicotine reward. The effects of JZL184 on nicotine CPP was selective since the drug failed to alter food-induced CPP and LiCl-induced conditioned place aversion in the mouse. Interestingly, active doses of JZL184 did not only cause an increases in 2-AG levels but also induced a concomitant decrease in arachidonic acid (AA) levels in various brain regions suggesting an AA cascade dependent-mechanism. In line of these changes, a cox-2 inhibitor, valdecoxib, dose-dependently blocked nicotine preference.

Chickens in the poultry industry are reared under intensive conditions where they are often exposed to opportunistic pathogens. Escherichia coli strain O78 is responsible for about half of the cases of avian colisepticemia. Potential therapeutic treatments have been proposed to inhibit the hydrolases that controls the endogenous levels of the endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). 2-AG is the full agonist at the CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system expressed among leukocytes and it plays a role in mediating the activation of phagocytic macrophages. It is speculated that elevating 2- AG levels could increase macrophage cytokines and promote the recruitment of immune cells at the infected tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immunomodulating effect of the 2-AG hydrolase inhibitor, JZL184 in chickens. The treatments could potentially up-regulate the innate immune responses in chickens during an E. coli infection by conveying a message from the endocannabinoid system to the immune system.