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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
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Readable research linked to original sources
Browse normalized, publication-ready research with direct links to its evidence and source.
98 articles
Newest firstIntroduction Binding affinity and functional potency are two distinct but pharmacologically related properties in ligand-receptor interactions. The molecular features influencing these two endpoints may differ, reflecting distinct physicochemical and conformational requirements for receptor binding and activation. Consequently, understanding the molecular features that determine both endpoints is essential, especi…
Open article record in new tab ↗ABSTRACTExperimental stimulation of dental pulp nociceptors induces plastic changes in the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) through increased intracellular calcium levels and discharge of nociceptive afferent fibers. Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a potent and selective inhibitor of COX-2 within the central nervous system (CNS) and may act in association with the cannabinoid system and the descending serotonerg…
Numerous exocrine glands play key physiological roles in the body that include tearing, salivation, and lactation, as well as the control of body temperature via sweating. Malfunction of sweat glands can be deeply problematic or-in the case of anhidrosis-life-threatening. The prevalence of sweating disorders is high, affecting millions. The few available therapies are generally of limited effectiveness. Several li…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex signaling network that regulates diverse physiological processes, including pain, mood, metabolism, and immune response, through coordinated interactions among receptors, enzymes, and lipid-derived ligands. Although individual ECS components have been extensively studied, the integrated systems-level organization and structural dependencies of the ECS remain…
Open article record in new tab ↗Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant health problem around the world. It can progress towards end-stage renal disease (ESRD), in which the current therapeutic options are dialysis and kidney transplant, which have several challenges in therapy compliance and finding a donor. There is a crosstalk between high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity, which are the leading causes of CKD. The increased prevalen…
Open article record in new tab ↗Pain is a ubiquitous nonmotor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD), substantially impairing quality of life. Although pharmacological and surgical interventions provide partial relief, effective treatment for PD-associated pain remains limited. Pharmacopuncture, an injection of herbal extracts into acupoints, has demonstrated potential in pain management. This study evaluated the analgesic and neuroprotective effec…
Open article record in new tab ↗Alterations in the excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons are critical in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic pain. Neurotransmitter release from the terminals of DRG neurons is regulated by cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), both activated by anandamide (AEA). In our experiments, the AEA precursor N-arachidonoylphosphatidylethanolamine (20:4-NAPE) was…
Open article record in new tab ↗Exogenous cannabinoids have long been known to promote eating. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been completely elucidated, which is critical to understanding their utility. The orexin/hypocretin (OH) system of the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) has known anatomical, biochemical, and physiological interactions with the endocannabinoid system, and has an established role in promoting appetitive behavior; yet…
The Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) is a critical brain region for the effects of psychostimulant drugs. Type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1), the main elements of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the brain, participate in these effects and modulate synaptic functions in the NAc. Besides their neuronal expression, CB1 receptors are also present in astrocytes, where they contribute to the regulation of synaptic plasticity…
Purpose We have shown that cannabinoid CB1 receptors regulate both salivation and tearing, but for tearing, this regulation is sex dependent with opposing effects by sex. We investigated a potential interplay of circadian and cannabinoid regulation of tearing. Methods We measured cannabinoid and circadian regulation of tearing in CD1 strain mice as well as CB1 receptor protein expression using immunohistochemistry…
Open article record in new tab ↗The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a lipid signaling system involved in numerous physiological processes, such as endocrine homeostasis, appetite control, energy balance, and metabolism. The ECS comprises endocannabinoids, their cognate receptors, and the enzymatic machinery that tightly regulates their levels within tissues. This system has been identified in various organs, including the brain and liver, in mul…
Cannabinoids are biologically active substances acting via feedback-coupled CB1 and CB2 receptors. Their expression in myofibroblasts and liver endothelial cells is reported to be elevated in chronic liver diseases. The effect of CB1 receptor stimulation is to increase fibrosis and inflammatory activity in the liver by stimulating stellate cells, while activation of the CB2 receptor results in inhibition of fibros…
Open article record in new tab ↗To test the hypothesis that genetic and pharmacological modulation of the classical cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2) receptors attenuate cancer-induced bone pain, we searched Medline, Web of Science and Scopus for relevant skeletal and non-skeletal cancer studies from inception to July 28, 2022. We identified 29 animal and 35 human studies. In mice, a meta-analysis of pooled studies showed that treatment of os…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Excitotoxicity is a process in which NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX-2) plays a pivotal role in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative stress influences the expression of Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), a water channel implicated in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and edema formation. The endocannabinoid system is widely distributed in the brain, particularly through the cannabinoid receptor type 1…
Open article record in new tab ↗Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience. Adequate pain control is often challenging, particularly in patients with chronic pain. Despite advances in pain management, drug addiction, overtreatment, or substance use disorders are not rare. Hence the need for further studies in the field. The substantial progress made over the last decade has revealed genes, signalling pathways, molecules, and neuronal…
Taking into account homeostatic disorders resulting from arterial hypertension and the key importance of CacyBP/SIP, β-catenin and endocannabinoids in the functioning of many organs, it was decided to assess the presence and distribution of CacyBP/SIP, β-catenin, CB1 and CB2 in the adrenal glands of hypertensive rats of various aetiology. The study was conducted on the adrenal glands of rats with spontaneous and r…
Open article record in new tab ↗The endogenous cannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) influences neurotransmission in the central nervous system mainly by activating type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1). Following its release, 2-AG is broken down by hydrolases to yield arachidonic acid, which may subsequently be metabolized by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-2 converts arachidonic acid and also 2-AG into prostanoids, well-known inflammatory and pr…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background:Individuals with schizophrenia are at elevated genetic risks for comorbid cannabis use, and often experience exacerbations of cognitive and psychotic symptoms when exposed to cannabis. These findings have led a number of investigators to examine cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) alterations in schizophrenia, though with conflicting results. We recently demonstrated the presence of CB1R in both excitatory…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that cannabis has potential analgesic properties. However, cannabinoid receptor expression and localization within spinal cord pain processing circuits remain to be characterized across sex and species. Aims We aimed to investigate the differential expression of the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor across dorsal horn laminae and cell populations in male and fe…
Open article record in new tab ↗Background A few studies have reported that electroacupuncture (EA) can repair the intestinal barrier through unknown mechanisms. Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) was shown to play an important role in the protection of the gut barrier in recent studies. Gut microbiota can influence the expression of CB1. In this study, we explored the effect of EA on the gut barrier in acute colitis and its mechanism. Methods A dextr…
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