PMID: 16506408Mar 2, 2006Paper

Methods evaluating cannabinoid and endocannabinoid effects on gastrointestinal functions

Methods in Molecular Medicine
Nissar A Darmani

Abstract

This chapter briefly describes the physiological neural mechanisms by which diverse neurotransmitter receptor systems control several aspects of gastrointestinal functions such as motility, secretion, feeding, and emesis. The current techniques used to study the effects of cannabinoids on these gastrointestinal functions are then sequentially described, starting with isolated gastrointestinal muscle preparations and ultimately evolving to whole animal models. Both delta9-tetrahydrocannibinol (delta9-THC) and well-studied representatives of other classes of exogenous cannabinoid CB1/CB2 receptor agonists inhibit gastrointestinal motility, peristalsis, defecation, and secretions via cannabinoid CB1 receptors since the CB1 (SR141716A)- and not the CB2 (SR144528)-receptor antagonist reverses these effects in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, exogenous cannabinoids inhibit vomiting produced by diverse emetic stimuli in a SR141716A-sensitive manner in different animal models of emesis. Often these cannabinoids produce hyperphagic effects under laboratory conditions in most human and animal models of feeding. Administration of SR141716A by itself can produce effects opposite to cannabinoid agonists (e.g., increases in gastrointest...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.