Thesis (Ph.D.)--Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010. / Prepared for: Dept. of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Title from title-page of electronic thesis. Bibliography: leaves 109-123.

Although the impact of cannabinoids (CBs) on anxiety has been thoroughly studied, current research paradigms fail to incorporate acute stressors. The present study investigated the synthetic CB HU-210’s anxiolytic potential in an acute stress CD1 male mouse model, where the animals were subject to a 10-minute Forced Swimming (FS) test between treatment and behavioral tests. Surprisingly, HU-210 did not show anxiolytic action in the Open Field (OFT) and Elevated-Plus Maze (EPM) stressed mice as previously reported in the naïve model literature. The combination of acute stress and high HU-210 doses produced severe locomotor impairments in ambulatory movement that were not previously observed in unstressed mice. It is hypothesized that this anxiogenic phenotype results from the summation of exogenous CB treatment and stress-induced endocannabinoid (eCB) release. Subsequently, the impact of the eCB signaling on anxiety behaviors was examined. Systemic administration of KML29, the selective inhibitor of 2-AG degradative enzyme, returned stress-induced anxiety-like behaviors to baseline levels, without significantly affecting locomotion. KML29’s anxiolyticism was abolished when combined with the cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM281, implying this is a CB receptor-mediated process. A GABAA receptor agonist muscimol was co-administered with KML29 in order to pharmacologically investigate the role of GABAergic neurotransmission in this anxiolytic phenomenon, but it did not alter KML29’s effects. Collectively, these findings suggest that exogenous CBs and acute stress act synergistically in an anxiogenic manner, but that enhanced 2-AG signaling in response to stress demonstrates anxiolytic potential.

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Excessive ethanol consumption, characteristic of alcohol use disorders (AUDs), is associated with widespread neurodegeneration and cognitive and behavioral impairments that may contribute to the chronic and relapsing nature of alcoholism. Therefore, identifying novel targets that can afford neuroprotection will undoubtedly aid current treatment strategies for AUDs. The cannabinoids have been shown to provide neuroprotection in a variety of preclinical models of neurodegeneration; however minimal data is available regarding the use of cannabinoid-based pharmacotherapies for treating ethanol-induced neurodegeneration. Therefore, the current dissertation examined the overarching hypothesis: the cannabinoids are a therapeutic strategy to afford neuroprotection in the context of ethanol-induced neurodegeneration. Importantly, this overarching hypothesis was approached with translational considerations in mind. Specifically, the use of many cannabinoids in the clinic is hindered due to multiple unfavorable pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profiles, including high first pass metabolism and untoward psychoactivity. Therefore, the studies herein were designed to circumvent these PK/PD obstacles. The first set of studies examined whether transdermal delivery of the phytocannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), could attenuate binge ethanol induced neurodegeneration. Transdermal CBD afforded neuroprotection in the entorhinal cortex and neuroprotection was similar in magnitude as intraperitoneal administration. The second set of studies found that binge ethanol treatment transiently down-regulated the main CNS cannabinoid receptor, CB1R. Interestingly, these changes were not accompanied by alterations in one of the major endogenous ligands, anandamide (AEA), or other related n-acylethanolamides (NAEs). The latter finding is in contrast to other literature reports demonstrating that endocannabinoid content is substantially elevated in response to a CNS insult. Nevertheless, studies were carried out to determine if administration of the AEA and NAE catabolism inhibitor, URB597, could attenuate binge ethanol induced neurodegeneration. URB597 failed to produce neuroprotection in the entorhinal cortex and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. However, additional studies found that URB597 failed to elevate AEA in the entorhinal cortex, and in general the biological activity of URB597 was impaired by ethanol exposure. Therefore, with further drug discovery/development efforts, it may be feasible to optimize such treatment strategies. In conclusion, the studies within the current dissertation demonstrated the feasibility of using some cannabinoid-based agents to prevent ethanol-induced neurodegeneration.

Os endocanabinóides (ECs) são neuromoduladores lipídicos que são produzidos por demanda tendo ação retrógrada. Existem duas moléculas que são atualmente reconhecidos como os principais ECs, a anandamida (AEA) e 2-araquidonoilglicerol (2-AG). O hipocampo sintetiza endocanabinóides e expressa seus receptores (CB1, CB2, TRPV1).Existe uma discrepância de efeitos dos 2 endocanabinóides na potenciação á longo prazo (LTP) hipocampal que pode ser um resultado da AEA agir tanto em receptores CB1 quanto em receptores TRPV1.Tendo em vista que a ativação dos receptores TRPV1 potenciam a LTP hipocampal, e não a inibem como é observado com a AEA, então qual seria o mecanismo de ação da AEA em inibir a LTP? Seria possível que a AEA estivesse preferencialmente inibindo a produção de 2-AG e assim inibindo a LTP? Para testar essa hipótese usamos inibidores farmacológicos da degradação hidrolítica do 2-AG e da AEA e também usamos antagonistas dos receptores TRPV1 e um animal knock-out para o receptor TRPV1. Camundongos machos BlackC57 e knockout(KO) para TRPV1 com idade entre 35 a 49 dias foram utilizados para obtenção de fatias do hipocampo (400µm), e a potenciação a longo prazo na via Schaffer-CA1 estudada. Não observamos efeito dos inibidores da degradação hidrolítica e oxidative dos endocanabinóides na LTP. A LTP do camundongo knock-out era inibida, porem o antagonismo farmacológico dos receptores TRPV1 não minetizou esse efeito. Já o agonista dos receptors canabinóides WIN55212-2 inibiu a indução da LTP. Concluimos que o aumento dos endocanabinóides pela inibição da sua degradação não foi eficiente em alterar a LTP hippocampal em nosso modelo experimental. Aprovação do CONCEA-FMRP- nº008/2017 / Endocannabinoids (ECs) are lipid neuromodulators that are produced on demand having retrograde action. There are two molecules that are currently recognized as the major ECs, anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). The hippocampus synthesizes endocannabinoids and expresses their receptors (CB1, CB2, TRPV1). There is a discrepancy of endocannabinoid effects on hippocampal long term potentiation (LTP) which may be a result of AEA acting on both CB1 and TRPV1 receptors. Given that the activation of TRPV1 receptors potentiate hippocampal LTP, and do not inhibit it as observed with AEA, then what would be the mechanism of action of AEA in inhibiting LTP? Was it possible that AEA was preferentially inhibiting 2-AG production and thus inhibiting LTP? To test this hypothesis, we used pharmacological inhibitors of the hydrolytic degradation of 2-AG and AEA and also used TRPV1 receptor antagonists and a knock-out animal for the TRPV1 receptor. Male BlackC57 mice and TRPV1 knockout (KO) aged 35 to 49 days were used to obtain hippocampal slices (400 ?m), and the long-term potentiation in the Schaffer-CA1 pathway studied). The LTP of the knock-out mouse was inhibited, but the pharmacological antagonism of TRPV1 receptors did not mimic this effect, whereas the WIN55212-2 cannabinoid receptor agonist inhibited the induction of LTP. We conclude that increasing the levels of endocannabinoids by inhibiting their degradation was not efficient in altering hippocampal LTP in our experimental model Approval of CONCEA-FMRP- nº 008/2017

Existe um grande interesse científico voltado para a busca das bases neuropsicofarmacológicas dos comportamentos que têm sido associados ao medo e ao pânico. Muitos estudos sugerem o teto mesencefálico (TM) como responsável pelo controle de respostas defensivas elaboradas durante situações de perigo iminente. A substância cinzenta periaquedutal (SCP), as camadas profundas do colículo superior (cpCS) e o colículo inferior (CI) têm sido considerados importantes estruturas na elaboração do medo inato e do comportamento de defesa, assim como na organização da antinocicepção induzida pelo medo inato. Contudo, muitos estudos têm implicado a via neoestriado-nigro-tectal no controle de respostas defensivas elaboradas no mesencéfalo dorsal, permeadas pela interação entre vias opioides e GABAérgicas. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo o estudo neurofarmacológico da anatomia conectiva funcional entre a substância negra (SN) e estruturas do TM, como a SCP e as cpCS, ligadas à organização do comportamento relacionado ao medo e à elaboração de processos antinociceptivos, avaliando-se o envolvimento da interação entre os sistemas opioide e canabinoide e a via nigro-tectal GABAérgica na modulação do comportamento de defesa e da antinocicepção induzida pelo medo evocado pela microinjeção de antagonista GABAérgico no continuum compreendido pela coluna dorsolateral da SCP e pelas cpCS. Com esse propósito, foram estudados os efeitos de microinjeções de agonistas e de antagonistas de receptores opioides ou canabinoides não-seletivos e seletivos na substância negra, parte reticulada (SNpr), sobre a antinocicepção que segue as diversas respostas comportamentais evocadas por microinjeções de bicuculina na SCPdl/cpCS de Rattus norvegicus (Rodentia, Muridae). O presente trabalho mostrou que a microinjeção do antagonista de receptores GABAA, bicuculina no TM, induziu comportamentos defensivos, elaborados concomitantemente com processos antinociceptivos, a interação entre vias opioides e aquelas mediadas por endocanaboinoides SNpr modula o comportamento de defesa organizado no mesencéfalo dorsal sem alteração na antinocicepção induzida pelo medo. O pré-tratamento na substância negra, parte reticulada com agonistas opioides e canabinoides aumentou os limiares nociceptivos e a microinjeção de antagonistas opioides e canabinoides, causou redução dos limiares nociceptivos. Esses dados sugerem uma interação entre vias opioides e endocanabinoides da SNpr, na modulação do comportamento que tem sido relacionado ao medo inato e a ataques de pânico, sendo recrutados receptores endocanaboinoides do tipo CB1 e CB2 do mesencéfalo ventral, ao lado de receptores opioides do tipo µ1 e na modulação de vias GABAérgicas de projeção nigro-tectal. / There is a great scientific interest in searching the neuropsychopharmacological bases of behavioural reactions associated to fear and panic. Many studies suggest that the mesencephalic tegmentum (MT) a mesencephalic division rich GABA, opiod and endocannabinoid containing neurons and/or receptors complex control on defensive responses during imminent danger conditions. It is also known that the periaquedutal grey matter (PAG), the deep layers of colliculus superior (cpCS) and the colliculus inferior (CI) are important structures related to innate fear and defence as well as to the organization of fear-induced antinociception. In addition neo-striatal-nigrotectal pathways are involved in the modutation of defensive responses elaborated in the dorsal midbrain, the central mesencephalic is rich in endocannabinoids. There are interactions between opioid and GABAergic pathways in these processes. The aim of this work is to study the role of the interaction between opioid anda endocannabinoide-mediated neurotransmission on the activity of GABAergic nigro-collicular pathways. Microinjections of non-selective ande selective agonist and antagonists of opioid an canabinoid receptor were performed in the SNpr before the GABAA receptor blockade in the dorsal midbrain (SCPdl/cpCS). The GABAA receptor blockade in the Mesencephalic tectum elicited vigorous defensive behaviour. This explosive escape behaviour was followed by significant antinociception. Microinjection of opioid and cannabinoid agonists in the SNpr increased the fear-induced antinociception and the treatment of the ventral midbrain with antagonists caused opposite effect .These data suggest a clear interaction between opioids and endocannabinoids pathways of the SNpr, in the modulation of the behaviour that has been related to the innate fear and the attacks of panic, being enlisted receiving endocannabinoids of type CB1 and CB2 of mesencephalic tegmentum, to the side of opioids receptors (-opioid receptor antagonist and µ1-opioid receptor antagonist) in the modulation of nigro-tectal GABAergic pathways.

A anandamida, um dos principais endocanabinóides estudados, além de se ligar aos receptores CB1, em altas doses, também é capaz de ativar os receptores vanilóides de potencial transitório tipo-1 (TRPV1). Evidências experimentais indicam que a sinalização mediada por CB1 facilita, enquanto TRPV1 prejudica, a resposta de adaptação a situações de estresse, tornando o animal mais susceptível a suas consequências comportamentais. Estudos demonstram que a inibição da enzima amida hidrolase de ácidos graxos (FAAH), responsável pela hidrólise da anandamida, apresenta efeito tipo-antidepressivo, efeito este também observado quando administrado antagonista de TRPV1. Portanto, a ação combinada de inibição da FAAH e bloqueio de TRPV1 poderia ter potencial efeito antidepressivo. Diante destas evidências, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar se a administração sistêmica de AA-5HT, droga que inibe a FAAH e bloqueia TRPV1, em camundongos submetidos ao teste do nado forçado, promove um efeito tipo-antidepressivo; e ainda, se esse comportamento estaria relacionado com a ativação de receptores canabinóides CB1 e com bloqueio dos receptores vanilóides TRPV1. Camundongos Swiss machos receberam injeção intraperitoneal de AA-5HT (0.1, 0.3, e 1 mg/kg), inibidor da FAAH (URB597 - 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, e 3 mg/kg), antagonista TRPV1 (SB366791 - 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1 e 3 mg/kg) e antagonista CB1 (AM251 - 1 e 3 mg/kg) ou o veículo correspondente e, 30 minutos depois, os mesmos animais foram submetidos ao teste do campo aberto. Imediatamente após foram submetidos ao teste do nado forçado. O tratamento com AA-5HT na dose de 0.3mg/kg reduziu significativamente o tempo de imobilidade no teste do nado forçado, sem alterar a atividade locomotora. Por outro lado, as doses testadas de URB597, SB366791 e AM251 não reduziram significativamente o tempo de imobilidade quando comparadas ao grupo veículo. E ainda, não foi observada somação de efeito da coadministração de doses equipotentes e subefetivas de SB366791 e URB597 no teste do nado forçado. Por fim, a pré-administração do antagonista CB1 (AM251) não alterou o tempo de imobilidade de AA-5HT. Apesar disso, quando o AA-5HT foi pré-administrado com o veículo utilizado para diluir o AM251, apresentou aumento significativo no tempo de imobilidade quando comparado aos animais pré-tratados com salina, comprometendo assim a investigação sobre a participação dos receptores CB1 no efeito do AA-5HT. Sendo assim, nossos resultados sugerem que a administração sistêmica de AA-5HT produz um efeito tipo-antidepressivo no teste do nado forçado. Entretanto, mais estudos são necessários para avaliar o envolvimento dos receptores CB1 neste comportamento. / Anandamide, one of the most studied endocannabinoids, acts through interaction with CB1 cannabinoids receptors, and, in higher doses, activate TRPV1 receptor. Experimental evidence shows that CB1-mediated signaling improve, while TRPV1-signaling impairs the adaptative response to stressful situations, thus increasing the susceptibility to behavioral consequences. The administration of inhibitors of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), responsible for anandamide hydrolysis, exerts antidepressant-like effects in preclinical models. The same effect is observed when TRPV1 antagonist is administered. Therefore, the combined blockade of FAAH and TRPV1 could potentially represent an interesting pharmacological tool to induce antidepressant effects. Based on that, the aim of this study was to investigate if AA-5HT, a FAAH inhibitor and TRPV1 blocker, would induce antidepressant-like effect in mice, and to evaluate the participation of TRPV1 and CB1 receptors in this effect. Male Swiss mice received an intraperitoneal injection of AA-5HT (0.1, 0.3, e 1 mg/kg), FAAH inhibitor (URB597 - 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, e 3 mg/kg), TRPV1 antagonist (SB366791 - 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1 e 3 mg/kg) and CB1 antagonist (AM251 - 1 e 3 mg/kg) or the corresponding vehicle and, 30 minutes later, they were individually submitted to the open field test. Immediately after this, the same animal was submitted to the forced swimming test. Our results showed that the treatment with AA-5HT at dose 0,3mg/kg significantly reduced the immobility time in the forced swim test without changing the locomotor activity. On the other hand, the tested dose range of URB597, SB366791 e AM251 did not significantly reduced the immobility time when compared to vehicle group. Furthermore, there was no observed effect of the coadministration of equipotent and sub-effective doses of SB366791 and URB597 on forced swim test. Finally, pre-administration of the CB1 antagonist (AM251) did not alter the immobility time of AA-5HT. However, when AA-5HT was pre-administered with the vehicle used to dilute AM251, it showed a significant increase in immobility time when compared to animals pretreated with saline, thus compromising the study about the participation of CB1 receptors in the effect of AA-5HT. Thus, our results suggest systemic administration of AA-5HT produces an antidepressant-like effect on FST. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the involvement of CB1 receptors in this behavior.

Existe um grande interesse científico voltado para a busca das bases neuropsicofarmacológicas dos comportamentos que têm sido associados ao medo e ao pânico. Muitos estudos sugerem o teto mesencefálico (TM) como responsável pelo controle de respostas defensivas elaboradas durante situações de perigo iminente. A substância cinzenta periaquedutal (SCP), as camadas profundas do colículo superior (cpCS) e o colículo inferior (CI) têm sido considerados importantes estruturas na elaboração do medo inato e do comportamento de defesa, assim como na organização da antinocicepção induzida pelo medo inato. Contudo, muitos estudos têm implicado a via neoestriado-nigro-tectal no controle de respostas defensivas elaboradas no mesencéfalo dorsal, permeadas pela interação entre vias opioides e GABAérgicas. O presente trabalho tem por objetivo o estudo neurofarmacológico da anatomia conectiva funcional entre a substância negra (SN) e estruturas do TM, como a SCP e as cpCS, ligadas à organização do comportamento relacionado ao medo e à elaboração de processos antinociceptivos, avaliando-se o envolvimento da interação entre os sistemas opioide e canabinoide e a via nigro-tectal GABAérgica na modulação do comportamento de defesa e da antinocicepção induzida pelo medo evocado pela microinjeção de antagonista GABAérgico no continuum compreendido pela coluna dorsolateral da SCP e pelas cpCS. Com esse propósito, foram estudados os efeitos de microinjeções de agonistas e de antagonistas de receptores opioides ou canabinoides não-seletivos e seletivos na substância negra, parte reticulada (SNpr), sobre a antinocicepção que segue as diversas respostas comportamentais evocadas por microinjeções de bicuculina na SCPdl/cpCS de Rattus norvegicus (Rodentia, Muridae). O presente trabalho mostrou que a microinjeção do antagonista de receptores GABAA, bicuculina no TM, induziu comportamentos defensivos, elaborados concomitantemente com processos antinociceptivos, a interação entre vias opioides e aquelas mediadas por endocanaboinoides SNpr modula o comportamento de defesa organizado no mesencéfalo dorsal sem alteração na antinocicepção induzida pelo medo. O pré-tratamento na substância negra, parte reticulada com agonistas opioides e canabinoides aumentou os limiares nociceptivos e a microinjeção de antagonistas opioides e canabinoides, causou redução dos limiares nociceptivos. Esses dados sugerem uma interação entre vias opioides e endocanabinoides da SNpr, na modulação do comportamento que tem sido relacionado ao medo inato e a ataques de pânico, sendo recrutados receptores endocanaboinoides do tipo CB1 e CB2 do mesencéfalo ventral, ao lado de receptores opioides do tipo µ1 e na modulação de vias GABAérgicas de projeção nigro-tectal. / There is a great scientific interest in searching the neuropsychopharmacological bases of behavioural reactions associated to fear and panic. Many studies suggest that the mesencephalic tegmentum (MT) a mesencephalic division rich GABA, opiod and endocannabinoid containing neurons and/or receptors complex control on defensive responses during imminent danger conditions. It is also known that the periaquedutal grey matter (PAG), the deep layers of colliculus superior (cpCS) and the colliculus inferior (CI) are important structures related to innate fear and defence as well as to the organization of fear-induced antinociception. In addition neo-striatal-nigrotectal pathways are involved in the modutation of defensive responses elaborated in the dorsal midbrain, the central mesencephalic is rich in endocannabinoids. There are interactions between opioid and GABAergic pathways in these processes. The aim of this work is to study the role of the interaction between opioid anda endocannabinoide-mediated neurotransmission on the activity of GABAergic nigro-collicular pathways. Microinjections of non-selective ande selective agonist and antagonists of opioid an canabinoid receptor were performed in the SNpr before the GABAA receptor blockade in the dorsal midbrain (SCPdl/cpCS). The GABAA receptor blockade in the Mesencephalic tectum elicited vigorous defensive behaviour. This explosive escape behaviour was followed by significant antinociception. Microinjection of opioid and cannabinoid agonists in the SNpr increased the fear-induced antinociception and the treatment of the ventral midbrain with antagonists caused opposite effect .These data suggest a clear interaction between opioids and endocannabinoids pathways of the SNpr, in the modulation of the behaviour that has been related to the innate fear and the attacks of panic, being enlisted receiving endocannabinoids of type CB1 and CB2 of mesencephalic tegmentum, to the side of opioids receptors (-opioid receptor antagonist and µ1-opioid receptor antagonist) in the modulation of nigro-tectal GABAergic pathways.

Placebo treatments are inert but are known to alleviate symptoms across numerous clinical conditions. One of the most studied placebo effects is placebo analgesia, which is a placebo effect limited to pain relief. This thesis aims to introduce the current state of research regarding the neuroscience of placebo analgesia and specifically to present research findings regarding the neurotransmission. Studies have demonstrated that placebo analgesia can be elicited through two separate processes interacting with each other; manipulation of expectations and through conditioning. These processes seem to affect neurotransmission in different ways. Many brain areas have been found to be correlated to placebo analgesia. Besides the pain-processing brain areas, studies point to that the prefrontal cortex can have a vital role in the placebo analgesic effect. Known neurotransmitters that have shown to be involved in placebo analgesia are endogenous opioids, cholecystokinin (CCK), and endocannabinoids. Studies point to that endogenous opioids are involved in the placebo analgesic effect when elicited by expectation or conditioned by an opioid drug. CCK act on placebo analgesia by affecting the release of endogenous opioids and endocannabinoids seem to be involved in placebo analgesia while it occurs due to conditioning with non-opioid drugs. Getting a better understanding of placebo analgesia and find ways to apply this knowledge in the clinical context could powerfully develop the whole medical society.