title: Uptake and metabolism of [3H]anandamide by rabbit platelets. Lack of transporter?
abstract: Anandamide is an endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptor and its protein-mediated transport across cellular membranes has been demonstrated in cells derived from brain as well as in cells of the immune system. This lipid is inactivated via intracellular degradation by a fatty acid amidohydrolase (FAAH). In the present study, we report that rabbit platelets, in contrast to human platelets, do not possess a carrier-mediated mechanism for the transport of [3H]anandamide into the cell, i.e. cellular uptake was not temperature dependent and its accumulation was not saturable. This endocannabinoid appears to enter the cell by simple diffusion. Once taken up by rabbit platelets, [3H]anandamide was rapidly metabolized into compounds which were secreted into the medium. Small amounts of free arachidonic acid as well as phospholipids were amongst the metabolic products. FAAH inhibitors did not decrease anandamide uptake, whereas these compounds inhibited anandamide metabolism. In conclusion, anandamide is rapidly taken up by rabbit platelets and metabolized mainly into water-soluble metabolites. Interestingly, the present study also suggests the absence of a transporter for anandamide in these cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry (Biochemistry), University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Lambrini
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fasia
authors.forename: Vivi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Karava
authors.forename: Athanassia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siafaka-Kapadai
mesh_terms: D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D010664:Phenylmethylsulfonyl Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D011817:Rabbits; D013696:Temperature; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D002109:Caffeic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; C462953:N-(2-methyl-3-hydroxyphenyl)-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenamide; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D014316:Tritium; D010664:Phenylmethylsulfonyl Fluoride; D000581:Amidohydrolases; C078814:anandamide; D007213:Indomethacin