Endocannabinoidome tone in Multiple Sclerosis patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, caused by an autoimmune response against myelin that leads to progressive neurodegeneration and disability. Although recent studies have provided new data on molecular mechanism underlying the onset of the disease, there is still a gap in the knowledge about lipid derivatives participating in development of MS. In this context, endocannabinoid system may be important. Endocannabinoids are a class of bioactive lipids derivatives, among which AEA and 2-AG, are the most abundant endocannabinoids in human body and the first ones to have been discovered. Beyond these two major endocannabinoids there are other related compounds considered as endocannabinoids and endocannabinoids-like molecules, members of a more big family of lipid derivatives molecules that compose the endocannabinoidome. Considering that, one of the most interesting properties probably is the entourage effect; several studies reported that these molecules can enhance endocannabinoids levels/biological activity. Furthermore, these bioactive lipids are not just entourage molecules, but reveal also functions by activating different receptors.

 

Author(s): Alessandro Rabbito, Michał Biernacki, Alina Kułakowska, Joanna Tarasiuk, Elzbieta Skrzydlewska, Barbara Mroczko

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