Regulation of inflammation by cannabinoids, the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol and arachidonoyl-ethanolamide, and their metabolites. Issue 6 (15th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Turcotte, Caroline; Chouinard, Francois; Lefebvre, Julie S; Flamand, Nicolas
• Is Part Of: Journal of leukocyte biology. Volume 97:Issue 6(2015)
• Page Start: 1049
• Page End: 1070
• Publication Date: 2015-04-15
• Subjects: MAG lipase -- anandamide -- prostaglandin -- leukotriene -- leukocyte -- eicosanoid; Leucocytes -- Periodicals; Reticulo-endothelial system -- Periodicals; 571.96
• DOI: 10.1189/jlb.3RU0115-021R
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-5400

Abstract

Abstract : Review on the immune effects of cannabinoids and endocannabinoids, and their metabolites. Abstract: 2-Arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG) and arachidonyl-ethanolamide (AEA) are endocannabinoids that have been implicated in many physiologic disorders, including obesity, metabolic syndromes, hepatic diseases, pain, neurologic disorders, and inflammation. Their immunomodulatory effects are numerous and are not always mediated by cannabinoid receptors, reflecting the presence of an arachidonic acid (AA) molecule in their structure, the latter being the precursor of numerous bioactive lipids that are pro- or anti-inflammatory. 2-AG and AEA can thus serve as a source of AA but can also be metabolized by most eicosanoid biosynthetic enzymes, yielding additional lipids. In this regard, enhancing endocannabinoid levels by using endocannabinoid hydrolysis inhibitors is likely to augment the levels of these lipids that could regulate inflammatory cell functions. This review summarizes the metabolic pathways involved in the biosynthesis and metabolism of AEA and 2-AG, as well as the biologic effects of the 2-AG and AEA lipidomes in the regulation of inflammation.