Inhibition of monoacylglycerol lipase reduces nicotine withdrawal.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Abrupt discontinuation of nicotine, the main psychoactive component in tobacco, induces a withdrawal syndrome in nicotine-dependent animals, consisting of somatic and affective signs, avoidance of which contributes to drug maintenance. While blockade of fatty acid amide hydrolase, the primary catabolic enzyme of the endocannabinoid arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide), exacerbates withdrawal responses in nicotine-dependent mice, the role of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL), the main hydrolytic enzyme of a second endocannabinoid 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG), in nicotine withdrawal remains unexplored.

Experimental approach

To evaluate the role of MAGL enzyme inhibition in nicotine withdrawal, we initially performed a genetic correlation approach using the

SUBMITTER: Muldoon PP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4301695 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature