Naturally occurring brain fatty acids may help protect against
Alzheimer's
Washington, Aug 21 : Scientists have found how brain cells can be protected from
diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A study, led by Chu Chen, PhD, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at LSU Health
Sciences Center New Orleans, has provided evidence that one of the only naturally
occurring fatty acids in the brain that has the ability to interact with the receptors
originally identified as the targets of THC (the psychoactive component of marijuana) can
help to protect brain cells from these neurodegenerative diseases.
The study focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of inflammation,
specifically the role these relatively recently discovered endogenous cannabinoids can
play in the control of COX-2 and other cyclooxygenases.
COX-2 is a key player in neuroinflammation and has been implicated in the development
of neurodegenerative diseases and worsening of damage from such insults as traumatic brain
injury and stroke.
The researchers have shown that endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) functions
as an endogenous COX-2 inhibitor, turning off the production of COX-2 which normally goes
into overdrive in response to pro-inflammatory and certain types of toxic stimuli,
resulting in the injury or death of brain cells.
The researchers also revealed the specific signaling pathways that regulate the 2-AG
suppression of COX-2.
"Our findings provide a basis for opening up new therapeutic approaches to protect
neurons from inflammation and toxicity-induced neurodegeneration," Chen said.
"Selective COX-2 inhibitors were thought to be a promising medicine in treating
neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, cancers and inflammation-related diseases like
arthritis; however, the occurrence of a series of cardiovascular complications in patients
receiving COX-2 inhibitors has led to their recent withdrawal from the market and limits
on their usages. Our research has shown that the use of endogenous cannabinoid 2-AG may
avoid such side effects.
"Therefore, elevation of endogenous 2-AG levels by facilitating its production,
inhibiting its decomposition, or directly supplying 2-AG may result in treatment advances
to prevent the devastation of disorders like stroke, Alzheimer's and traumatic brain
injury," Chen added.
The study is published in the August 15, 2008 issue of the Journal of Biological
Chemistry.
--ANI
