title: The Endocannabinoid System and Its Role in Regulating the Intrinsic Neural Circuitry of the Gastrointestinal Tract.
abstract: Endocannabinoids are important neuromodulators in the central nervous system. They regulate central transmission through pre- and postsynaptic actions on neurons and indirectly through effects on glial cells. Cannabinoids (CBs) also regulate neurotransmission in the enteric nervous system (ENS) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The ENS consists of intrinsic primary afferent neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons arranged in two ganglionated plexuses which control all the functions of the gut. Increasing evidence suggests that endocannabinoids are potent neuromodulators in the ENS. In this review, we will highlight key observations on the localization of CB receptors and molecules involved in the synthesis and degradation of endocannabinoids in the ENS. We will discuss endocannabinoid signaling mechanisms, endocannabinoid tone and concepts of CB receptor metaplasticity in the ENS. We will also touch on some examples of enteric neural signaling in relation neuromuscular, secretomotor, and enteroendocrine transmission in the ENS. Finally, we will briefly discuss some key future directions.
authors.affiliation: Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Samantha M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Trautmann
authors.affiliation: Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: ksharkey@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: Keith A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Sharkey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000502:physiology*; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D063388:Endocannabinoids
keywords: 2-Arachidonoylglycerol; Anandamide; Enteric nervous system; Fatty acid amide hydrolase; Monoacylglycerol lipase; Myenteric plexus; Submucosal plexus