Endocannabinoids, feeding and suckling--from our perspective.
In this overview we have summarized some aspects of our published work related to the effects of the endocannabinoid system on appetite and suckling. As noted also by several other groups we have found that anandamide, a major endocannabinoid, enhances appetite in mice. On partial or full food deprivation over 24 h the levels of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), a second major cannabinoid, are initially elevated in mouse brain; however, partial food deprivation over a longer period causes reduction of 2-AG levels. Blocking the endocannabinoid system with a CB1 antagonist on the 1st day after birth leads to inhibition of suckling; later administration also affects suckling, but does not fully block it.
Mechoulam
R
R
Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, Pharmacy School, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. mechou@cc.huji.ac.il
Berry
E M
EM
Avraham
Y
Y
Di Marzo
V
V
Fride
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000378:metabolism; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000378:metabolism; D001069:Appetite Regulation; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005508:Food Deprivation; D005989:Glycerides / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate; C078814:anandamide