Endocannabinoid metabolism inhibition ameliorates ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in Guinea pigs.

• Endocannabinoids are biologically active cannabinoid-related substances endogenously synthesized in many mammalian tissues. Mainly two enzymes carry out their degradation; Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) and Monoacylglycerol Lipase (MAGL). Endocannabinoids are shown to affect the modulation of inflammatory processes and airway responsiveness. In the present study, we investigated the effects of FAAH and MAGL inhibitor treatments in experimental allergic airway inflammation in guinea pigs.Guinea pigs were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin to induce an allergic asthma model. Then, the effects of FAAH inhibitor URB597, MAGL inhibitor JZL184, and dual (FAAH/MAGL) inhibitor JZL195 on airway inflammation and hyperreactivity were evaluated.Ovalbumin challenge increased airway reactivity, IgE in serum, IL-4, and IL-13, and the percentage of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). In addition, inhibition of FAAH or MAGL enzymes leads to an increase in endocannabinoid levels. The selective inhibition of the FAAH enzyme prevented inflammation indicators such as cytokine production and inflammatory cell infiltration but had a negligible effect on airway hyperreactivity. However, the inhibition of the MAGL enzyme or dual inhibition of both FAAH and MAGL enzymes tent to moderate both pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperreactivity.We have previously demonstrated that modulation of endocannabinoid levels in the airways by FAAH or MAGL inhibition can be useful in preventing acute lung inflammation. The results of the present study further suggest that FAAH and MAGL inhibitor treatment can also be a promising strategy for bronchial hyperreactivity and airway inflammation in allergic asthma.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine (hsv//eng)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Amidohydrolases

Animals

Asthma

chemically induced

drug therapy

Endocannabinoids

metabolism

Enzyme Inhibitors

pharmacology

Guinea Pigs

Inflammation

drug therapy

Mammals

metabolism

Monoacylglycerol Lipases

Ovalbumin

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)