Finding of endocannabinoids in human eye tissues: implications for glaucoma.
Cannabinoid CB(1) receptors are involved in ocular physiology and may regulate intraocular pressure (IOP). However, endocannabinoid levels in human ocular tissues of cornea, iris, ciliary body, retina, and choroid from normal and glaucomatous donors have not been investigated. Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine; AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and the anandamide congener, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), were detected in all the human tissues examined. In eyes from patients with glaucoma, significantly decreased 2-AG and PEA levels were detected in the ciliary body, an important tissue in the regulation of IOP. The findings suggest that these endogenous compounds may have a role in this disease, particularly with respect to regulation of IOP.
Chen
June
J
Department of Biological Sciences, Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, USA. chen_june@allergan.com
Matias
Isabel
I
Dinh
Tim
T
Lu
Ta
T
Venezia
Sonia
S
Nieves
Amelia
A
Woodward
David F
DF
Di Marzo
Vincenzo
V
D000368:Aged; D000577:Amides; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000378:metabolism*; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000378:metabolism; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D005989:Glycerides / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010169:Palmitic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides
D000577:Amides; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines; D005989:Glycerides; D010169:Palmitic Acids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; C005958:palmidrol; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate; C078814:anandamide