Effects of cannabinoids on hypothalamic and reproductive function.
Marijuana and cannabinoids have been shown to exert profound effects on hypothalamic regulatory functions and reproduction in both experimental animals and humans. Here we review the role of (endo)cannabinoids in the regulation of appetite and food intake. There is converging evidence that the hypothalamic endocannabinoid system changes after leptin treatment. Cannabinoid administration decreases heat production by altering hypothalamic neurotransmitter production. Experimental and human data have also shown that the endocannabinoid system is involved in the regulation of reproductive function at both central and peripheral levels. We discuss also the role of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in gestation, and in particular the regulation of the activity of FAAH by progesterone and leptin. We show that endocannabinoids inhibit the release of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) from peripheral T lymphocytes. Taken together, endocannabinoids not only help to maintain neuroendocrine homeostasis, but also take part in immunological changes occurring during early pregnancy.
Maccarrone
M
M
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Piazza A. Moro 45, 64100 Teramo, Italy. Maccarrone@vet.unite.it
Wenger
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000502:physiology*; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000502:physiology; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*
D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor