Endocannabinoids are a new class of lipids, which include amides, esters andethers of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Anandamide(N-arachidonoylethanolamine; AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol are the mainendogenous agonists of cannabinoid receptors able to mimic severalpharmacological effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active principle ofCannabis sativa preparations like hashish and marijuana. AEA is released "ondemand" from membrane lipids, and its activity at the receptors is limited bycellular uptake followed by intracellular hydrolysis. Together with AEA andcongeners, the proteins which bind, synthesize, transport and hydrolyze AEA form the "endocannabinoid system". Endogenous cannabinoids are present in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues, suggesting a physiological role asbroad spectrum modulators. This review summarizes the main features of theendocannabinoid system, and the latest advances on its involvement in ageing ofcentral and peripheral cells. In addition, the therapeutic potential of recently developed drugs able to modulate the endocannabinoid tone for the treatment ofageing and age-related human pathologies will be reviewed.[...]
The endocannabinoid system in ageing: a new target for drug development
PARADISI, Andrea;ODDI, Sergio;MACCARRONE, Mauro
2006-01-01
Abstract
Endocannabinoids are a new class of lipids, which include amides, esters andethers of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Anandamide(N-arachidonoylethanolamine; AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol are the mainendogenous agonists of cannabinoid receptors able to mimic severalpharmacological effects of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, the active principle ofCannabis sativa preparations like hashish and marijuana. AEA is released "ondemand" from membrane lipids, and its activity at the receptors is limited bycellular uptake followed by intracellular hydrolysis. Together with AEA andcongeners, the proteins which bind, synthesize, transport and hydrolyze AEA form the "endocannabinoid system". Endogenous cannabinoids are present in the central nervous system and in peripheral tissues, suggesting a physiological role asbroad spectrum modulators. This review summarizes the main features of theendocannabinoid system, and the latest advances on its involvement in ageing ofcentral and peripheral cells. In addition, the therapeutic potential of recently developed drugs able to modulate the endocannabinoid tone for the treatment ofageing and age-related human pathologies will be reviewed.[...]I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
