Abstract
The enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) catalyzes the in vivo degradation of the endocannabinoid anandamide, thus controlling its action at receptors. A novel FAAH inhibitor, AM3506, normalizes the elevated blood pressure and cardiac contractility of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) without affecting these parameters in normotensive rats. These effects are due to blockade of FAAH and a corresponding rise in brain anandamide levels, resulting in CB1 receptor-mediated decrease in sympathetic tone. The supersensitivity of SHR to CB1 receptor-mediated cardiovascular depression is related to increased G protein coupling of CB1 receptors. Importantly, AM3506 does not elicit hyperglycemia and insulin resistance seen with other FAAH inhibitors or in FAAH-/- mice, which is related to its inability to inhibit FAAH in the liver due to rapid hepatic uptake and metabolism. This unique activity profile offers improved therapeutic value in hypertension.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1256-1266 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Chemistry and Biology |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 24 Nov 2010 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We thank Prof. B. Lutz and Dr. G. Marsicano for providing CB 1 floxed mice used to generate the liver-specific CB 1 −/− mice.This work was supported by funds from the intramural program of NIAAA.
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