title: Endocannabinoids in neuroendopsychology: multiphasic control of mitochondrial function.
abstract: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a construct based on the discovery of receptors that are modulated by the plant compound tetrahydrocannabinol and the subsequent identification of a family of nascent ligands, the 'endocannabinoids'. The function of the ECS is thus defined by modulation of these receptors-in particular, by two of the best-described ligands (2-arachidonyl glycerol and anandamide), and by their metabolic pathways. Endocannabinoids are released by cell stress, and promote both cell survival and death according to concentration. The ECS appears to shift the immune system towards a type 2 response, while maintaining a positive energy balance and reducing anxiety. It may therefore be important in resolution of injury and inflammation. Data suggest that the ECS could potentially modulate mitochondrial function by several different pathways; this may help explain its actions in the central nervous system. Dose-related control of mitochondrial function could therefore provide an insight into its role in health and disease, and why it might have its own pathology, and possibly, new therapeutic directions.
authors.affiliation: Metabolic and Molecular Imaging Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, UK. a.nunn@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alistair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nunn
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guy
authors.forename: Jimmy D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D004579:Electron Transport; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000378:metabolism; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D063388:Endocannabinoids; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D058570:TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; D002118:Calcium