Abstract

2-Arachidonoylglicerol (2-AG) is an endocannabinoid that mimics the pharmacological effects of Delta(9) tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of the plant Cannabis sativa. It is present in many mammalian tissues, such as brain, liver, spleen, heart and kidney, where it exerts different biological effects either receptor mediated or independently of receptor activation. This work analyzes the effects of 2-AG on liver mitochondrial functions. It is shown that 2-AG causes a relevant decrease of calcium induced cyclosporine A sensitive cytochrome c release from mitochondria, a process representing an early event of the apoptotic program. Cyclosporin sensitive matrix swelling and ROS production measured under the same conditions are, on the contrary, almost unaffected or even enhanced, respectively, by 2-AG. Furthemore, 2-AG is found to stimulate resting state succinate oxidase activity and to inhibit oligomycin sensitive FoF1 ATP synthase activity. All these effects are apparently associated with 2-AG dependent alteration in the fluidity of the mitochondrial membranes, which was measured as generalized polarization of laurdan fluorescence.

Autore Pugliese

• Sardanelli Anna Maria

Tutti gli autori

• SARDANELLI A.M.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile

Anno di pubblicazione

2012

ISSN

0145-479X

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

12

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

13

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile