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Biomedical subjects

L Hanus

Publications and source records attributed to L Hanus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Sterol compositions of the filamentous nitrogen-fixing terrestrial cyanobacterium Scytonema sp.

Thirteen unsaturated sterols were identified by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry using serially-coupled capillary columns from the filamentous nitrogen-fixing terrestrial cyanobacterium Scytonema sp. isolated from the microbial community of cyanobacterial on 'Black Cover' biofilms limestone walls in Jerusalem. The dominant sterols were cholest-5-en-3 beta-ol (18.9%), 3 beta-methoxycholest-5-ene (16.2%) and 3 beta-acetoxycholest-5-ene (11.2%).

Biofilms↗
PubMed2001

An endogenous cannabinoid (2-AG) is neuroprotective after brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury triggers the accumulation of harmful mediators that may lead to secondary damage. Protective mechanisms to attenuate damage are also set in motion. 2-Arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) is an endogenous cannabinoid, identified both in the periphery and in the brain, but its physiological roles have been only partially clarified. Here we show that, after injury to the mouse brain, 2-AG may have a neuroprotective role in which the cannabinoid system is involved. After closed head injury (CHI) in mice, the level of endogenous 2-AG was significantly elevated. We administered synthetic 2-AG to mice after CHI and found significant reduction of brain oedema, better clinical recovery, reduced infarct volume and reduced hippocampal cell death compared with controls. When 2-AG was administered together with additional inactive 2-acyl-glycerols that are normally present in the brain, functional recovery was significantly enhanced. The beneficial effect of 2-AG was dose-dependently attenuated by SR-141761A, an antagonist of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

2-arachidonyl glyceryl ether, an endogenous agonist of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor.

Two types of endogenous cannabinoid-receptor agonists have been identified thus far. They are the ethanolamides of polyunsaturated fatty acids--arachidonoyl ethanolamide (anandamide) is the best known compound in the amide series--and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, the only known endocannabinoid in the ester series. We report now an example of a third, ether-type endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonyl glyceryl ether (noladin ether), isolated from porcine brain. The structure of noladin ether was determined by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and was confirmed by comparison with a synthetic sample. It binds to the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor (K(i) = 21.2 +/- 0.5 nM) and causes sedation, hypothermia, intestinal immobility, and mild antinociception in mice. It binds weakly to the CB(2) receptor (K(i) > 3 microM).

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Molecular targets for cannabidiol and its synthetic analogues: effect on vanilloid VR1 receptors and on the cellular uptake and enzymatic hydrolysis of anandamide.

1. (-)-Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic component of Cannabis with possible therapeutic use as an anti-inflammatory drug. Little is known on the possible molecular targets of this compound. We investigated whether CBD and some of its derivatives interact with vanilloid receptor type 1 (VR1), the receptor for capsaicin, or with proteins that inactivate the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide (AEA). 2. CBD and its enantiomer, (+)-CBD, together with seven analogues, obtained by exchanging the C-7 methyl group of CBD with a hydroxy-methyl or a carboxyl function and/or the C-5' pentyl group with a di-methyl-heptyl (DMH) group, were tested on: (a) VR1-mediated increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations in cells over-expressing human VR1; (b) [(14)C]-AEA uptake by RBL-2H3 cells, which is facilitated by a selective membrane transporter; and (c) [(14)C]-AEA hydrolysis by rat brain membranes, which is catalysed by the fatty acid amide hydrolase. 3. Both CBD and (+)-CBD, but not the other analogues, stimulated VR1 with EC(50)=3.2 - 3.5 microM, and with a maximal effect similar in efficacy to that of capsaicin, i.e. 67 - 70% of the effect obtained with ionomycin (4 microM). CBD (10 microM) desensitized VR1 to the action of capsaicin. The effects of maximal doses of the two compounds were not additive. 4. (+)-5'-DMH-CBD and (+)-7-hydroxy-5'-DMH-CBD inhibited [(14)C]-AEA uptake (IC(50)=10.0 and 7.0 microM); the (-)-enantiomers were slightly less active (IC(50)=14.0 and 12.5 microM). 5. CBD and (+)-CBD were also active (IC(50)=22.0 and 17.0 microM). CBD (IC(50)=27.5 microM), (+)-CBD (IC(50)=63.5 microM) and (-)-7-hydroxy-CBD (IC(50)=34 microM), but not the other analogues (IC(50)>100 microM), weakly inhibited [(14)C]-AEA hydrolysis. 6. Only the (+)-isomers exhibited high affinity for CB(1) and/or CB(2) cannabinoid receptors. 7. These findings suggest that VR1 receptors, or increased levels of endogenous AEA, might mediate some of the pharmacological effects of CBD and its analogues. In view of the facile high yield synthesis, and the weak affinity for CB(1) and CB(2) receptors, (-)-5'-DMH-CBD represents a valuable candidate for further investigation as inhibitor of AEA uptake and a possible new therapeutic agent.

Amidohydrolases↗
PubMed2000

A historical overview of chemical research on cannabinoids.

The chemical research on the plant cannabinoids and their derivatives over two centuries is concisely reviewed. The tortuous path leading to the discovery of the endogenous cannabinoids is described. Future directions, which will probably be followed are delineated.

Cannabinoids↗
PubMed1999

HU-308: a specific agonist for CB(2), a peripheral cannabinoid receptor.

Two cannabinoid receptors have been identified: CB(1), present in the central nervous system (CNS) and to a lesser extent in other tissues, and CB(2), present outside the CNS, in peripheral organs. There is evidence for the presence of CB(2)-like receptors in peripheral nerve terminals. We report now that we have synthesized a CB(2)-specific agonist, code-named HU-308. This cannabinoid does not bind to CB(1) (K(i) > 10 microM), but does so efficiently to CB(2) (K(i) = 22.7 +/- 3.9 nM); it inhibits forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP production in CB(2)-transfected cells, but does so much less in CB(1)-transfected cells. HU-308 shows no activity in mice in a tetrad of behavioral tests, which together have been shown to be specific for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-type activity in the CNS mediated by CB(1). However, HU-308 reduces blood pressure, blocks defecation, and elicits anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic activity. The hypotension, the inhibition of defecation, the anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic effects produced by HU-308 are blocked (or partially blocked) by the CB(2) antagonist SR-144528, but not by the CB(1) antagonist SR-141716A. These results demonstrate the feasibility of discovering novel nonpsychotropic cannabinoids that may lead to new therapies for hypertension, inflammation, and pain.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of the hypnotic properties of oleamide.

While preliminary studies associated oleamide with sleep regulation, we now characterize the involvement of oleamide in sleep using a number of techniques. Peripheral administration of oleamide to rats dose dependently suppressed motor activity in the open field, with an ED50 of 17+/-1.5mg/kg for the decrease in distance traveled. Moreover, endogenous oleamide concentrations increased 3- to 4-fold in the cerebrospinal fluid of rats sleep-deprived for 6 h or longer. Oleamide also decreased sleep latency to 44-64% of control values without altering other sleep parameters. Unlike many putative endogenous sleep-inducing agents, oleamide potently induces behavioral and electroencephalographic manifestations of sleep. Moreover, its endogenous concentrations and temporal associations are consistent with previous reports of its enhancement of serotonergic and GABAergic neurotransmission, which may be involved in sleep induction.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cannabinol derivatives: binding to cannabinoid receptors and inhibition of adenylylcyclase.

Several derivatives of cannabinol and the 1,1-dimethylheptyl homolog (DMH) of cannabinol were prepared and assayed for binding to the brain and the peripheral cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), as well as for activation of CB1- and CB2-mediated inhibition of adenylylcyclase. The DMH derivatives were much more potent than the pentyl (i.e., cannabinol) derivatives. 11-Hydroxycannabinol (4a) was found to bind potently to both CB1 and CB2 (Ki values of 38.0 +/- 7.2 and 26.6 +/- 5.5 nM, respectively) and to inhibit CB1-mediated adenylylcyclase with an EC50 of 58.1 +/- 6.2 nM but to cause only 20% inhibition of CB2-mediated adenylylcyclase at 10 microM. It behaves as a specific, though not potent, CB2 antagonist. 11-Hydroxycannabinol-DMH (4b) is a very potent agonist for both CB1 and CB2 (Ki values of 100 +/- 50 and 200 +/- 40 pM; EC50 of adenylylcyclase inhibition 56.2 +/- 4.2 and 207.5 +/- 27.8 pM, respectively).

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗
PubMed1997

Structural requirements for binding of anandamide-type compounds to the brain cannabinoid receptor.

In order to establish the structural requirements for binding to the brain cannabinoid receptor (CB1), we have synthesized numerous fatty acid amides, ethanolamides, and some related simple derivatives and have determined their Ki values. A few alpha-methyl- or alpha, alpha-dimethylarachidonoylalkylamides were also examined. In the 20:4, n-6 series, the unsubstituted amide is inactive; N-monoalkylation, at least up to a branched pentyl group, leads to significant binding. N,N-Dialkylation, with or without hydroxylation on one of the alkyl groups, leads to elimination of activity. Hydroxylation of the N-monoalkyl group at the omega carbon atom retains activity. In the 20x, n-6 series, x has to be either 3 or 4; the presence of only two double bonds leads to inactivation. In the n-3 series, the limited data reported suggest that the derived ethanolamides are either inactive or less active than comparable compounds in the n-6 series. Alkylation or dialkylation of the alpha carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group retains the level of binding in the case of anandamide (compounds 48, 49); however, alpha-monomethylation or alpha,alpha-dimethylation of N-propyl derivatives (50-53) potentiates binding and leads to the most active compounds seen in the present work (Ki values of 6.9 +/- 0.7 to 8.4 +/- 1.1 nM). We have confirmed that the presence of a chiral center on the N-alkyl substituent may lead to enantiomers which differ in their levels of binding (compounds 54, 57 and 55, 56).

Amides↗
PubMed1996

Endogenous cannabinoid ligands--chemical and biological studies.

Arachidonic acid ethanolamide (anandamide) is a brain constituent that binds to the brain cannabinoid receptor (CB1). It produces many of the pharmacological effects caused by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC) in mice. Anandamide parallels delta 9-THC in its specific interaction with the cannabinoid receptor and in inhibition of adenylate cyclase. Two additional fatty acid ethanolamides that bind to the cannabinoid receptor, homo-gamma-linolenylethanolamide and docostetraenylethanolamide, have been identified in the brain. We believe that the anandamides are involved in the coordination of movement and short term memory. Depression of ambulation in an open field and the analgetic response to anandamide are not fully developed until adulthood, possibly due to an age-related increase in the CB1 receptor concentration. This observation has clinical implications in pediatrics. A second cannabinoid receptor (CB2) is present in the spleen. A monoglyceride, 2-arachidonyl-glycerol which binds to both CB1 and CB2 in transfected cells and inhibits andenylate cyclase in spleen cells was found in the gut. Its role is apparently associated with the immune system. These fatty acids amides and esters represent a new family of chemical modulators in the body.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cannabinomimetic behavioral effects of and adenylate cyclase inhibition by two new endogenous anandamides.

We have previously shown that the endogenous putative cannabinoid ligand arachidonylethanolamide (anandamide, 20:4, n - 6) induces in vivo and in vitro effects typical of a cannabinoid agonist. We now report that two other endogenous anandamides, docosatetraenylethanolamide (anandamide, 22:4, n - 6) and homo-gamma-linolenylethanolamide (anandamide, 20:3, n - 6), have similar activities. The new anandamides bind to SV40-transformed African green monkey kidney cells transfected with the rat brain cannabinoid receptor cDNA and display K1 values of 253.4 +/- 41.1 and 244.8 +/- 38.7, respectively. The value found for arachidonylethanolamide was 155.1 +/- 13.8 nM. In addition, the new anandamides inhibit prostaglandin E1-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells transfected with the cannabinoid receptor, as well as in N18TG2 mouse neuroblastoma cells that express the cannabinoid receptor naturally. The IC50 values for the inhibition of adenylate cyclase in transfected Chinese hamster ovary-K1 cells were 116.8 +/- 8.7 and 109.3 +/- 8.6 nM for docosatetraenylethanolamide and homo-gamma-linolenylethanolamide, respectively. These values were similar to that obtained with arachidonylethanolamide (100.5 +/- 7.7 nM), but were significantly higher than the IC50 value observed with the plant cannabinoid delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9.2 +/- 8.6 nM). The inhibitory effects of the anandamides on adenylate cyclase activity were blocked by pertussis toxin, indicating the involvement of pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein(s). In a tetrad of behavioral assays for cannabinoid-like effects, the two new anandamides exerted similar behavioral effects to those observed with delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and arachidonylethanolamide: inhibition of motor activity in an open field, hypothermia, catalepsy on a ring, and analgesia on a hot plate.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1995

Identification of an endogenous 2-monoglyceride, present in canine gut, that binds to cannabinoid receptors.

In this study, we report the isolation from canine intestines of 2-arachidonyl glycerol (2-Ara-Gl). Its structure was determined by mass spectrometry and by direct comparison with a synthetic sample. 2-Ara-Gl bound to membranes from cells transiently transfected with expression plasmids carrying DNA of either CB1 or CB2--the two cannabinoid receptors identified thus far--with Ki values of 472 +/- 55 and 1400 +/- 172 nM, respectively. In the presence of forskolin, 2-Ara-Gl inhibited adenylate cyclase in isolated mouse spleen cells, at the potency level of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9-THC). Upon intravenous administration to mice, 2-Ara-Gl caused the typical tetrad of effects produced by THC: antinociception, immobility, reduction of spontaneous activity, and lowering of the rectal temperature. 2-Ara-Gl also shares the ability of delta 9-THC to inhibit electrically evoked contractions of mouse isolated vasa deferentia; however, it was less potent than delta 9-THC.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Effects of two endogenous fatty acid ethanolamides on mouse vasa deferentia.

Anandamide (20:3, n - 6) (homo-gamma-linolenylethanolamide) and anandamide (22:4, n - 6) (7,10,13,16-docosatetraenylethanolamide) are known to be present in porcine brain and to undergo specific binding to cannabinoid binding sites. We have now shown that both compounds inhibit the electrically evoked twitch response of the mouse isolated vas deferens (IC50 = 99.3 and 95.5 nM respectively) indicating that they also have the ability to elicit a response. As electrically evoked contractions of the mouse vas deferens are also inhibited by the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide (20:4, n - 6) (arachidonylethanolamide; IC50 = 52.7 nM), and by other cannabinoids, we conclude that anandamide (20:3, n - 6) and (22:4, n - 6), may, together with anandamide (20:4, n - 6), serve as endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonists. This conclusion is supported by our other main finding, that vasa deferentia show tolerance to the inhibitory effects of anandamide (20:3, n - 6) and anandamide (22:4, n - 6) when obtained from mice subjected to a delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol pretreatment that is known to induce cannabinoid tolerance.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The effect of soil fertilization on the formation and the amount of cannabinoid substances in Cannabis sativa L. in the course of one vegetation period.

The study followed the effect of the soil fertilization on the growth of plants and on the formation and the amount of extractible substances as well that of two main cannbinoid substances (CBD, delta-9-THC) in the Czechoslovak variety of hemp, Rastislavice, cultivated in Czechoslovakia for fibre production in the course of the vegetation period of 1988. In fourteen various vegetation stages of the plant growth, the samples of the plant tops, cultivated on five fields with different soil fertilization, were collected and analyzed in the dried state.

Agriculture↗