Enhancement of endocannabinoid signaling protects against cocaine-induced neurotoxicity

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TAAP.2015.04.013· OSTI ID:22465793

Vilela, Luciano R. ^[1]; Gobira, Pedro H.; Viana, Thercia G. ^[2]; Medeiros, Daniel C.; Ferreira-Vieira, Talita H. ^[3]; Doria, Juliana G. ^[1]; Rodrigues, Flávia ^[4]; Aguiar, Daniele C. ^[2]; Pereira, Grace S.; Massessini, André R. ^[3]; Ribeiro, Fabíola M. ^[4]

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1. Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG (Brazil)
2. Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG (Brazil)
3. Department of Physiology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG (Brazil)
4. Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG (Brazil)

Cocaine is an addictive substance with a potential to cause deleterious effects in the brain. The strategies for treating its neurotoxicity, however, are limited. Evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system exerts neuroprotective functions against various stimuli. Thus, we hypothesized that inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the main enzyme responsible for terminating the actions of the endocannabinoid anandamide, reduces seizures and cell death in the hippocampus in a model of cocaine intoxication. Male Swiss mice received injections of endocannabinoid-related compounds followed by the lowest dose of cocaine that induces seizures, electroencephalographic activity and cell death in the hippocampus. The molecular mechanisms were studied in primary cell culture of this structure. The FAAH inhibitor, URB597, reduced cocaine-induced seizures and epileptiform electroencephalographic activity. The cannabinoid CB{sub 1} receptor selective agonist, ACEA, mimicked these effects, whereas the antagonist, AM251, prevented them. URB597 also inhibited cocaine-induced activation and death of hippocampal neurons, both in animals and in primary cell culture. Finally, we investigated if the PI3K/Akt/ERK intracellular pathway, a cell surviving mechanism coupled to CB{sub 1} receptor, mediated these neuroprotective effects. Accordingly, URB597 injection increased ERK and Akt phosphorylation in the hippocampus. Moreover, the neuroprotective effect of this compound was reversed by the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002. In conclusion, the pharmacological facilitation of the anandamide/CB1/PI3K signaling protects the brain against cocaine intoxication in experimental models. This strategy may be further explored in the development of treatments for drug-induced neurotoxicity. - Highlights: • Cocaine toxicity is characterized by seizures and hippocampal cell death. • The endocannabinoid anandamide acts as a brain protective mechanism. • Inhibition of anandamide hydrolysis attenuates cocaine neurotoxicity. • This effect is mediated by the cannabinoid CB1 receptor/PI3K pathway.

• OSTI ID: 22465793
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Vol. 286, Issue 3; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2015 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
APOPTOSIS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CELL CULTURES
COCAINE
DOPAMINE
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY
ENZYMES
HIPPOCAMPUS
HYDROLYSIS
INHIBITION
INJECTION
MICE
NERVE CELLS
PHOSPHORYLATION
RECEPTORS
SIGNALS
STIMULI
TOXICITY