Nature's new development! Reveal how lactic acid produced by sugar metabolism can be linked to cannabinoids and social behavior!

July 17, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Regular exposure to marijuana can have harmful effects on social lifeResearch shows that for some consumers, it can lead to withdrawal and less social interactionSo far, however, the brain networks and mechanisms involved in this relationship are unclearIt is widely believed that advanced brain functions and ultimately behavior are controlled by dynamic communication on the synapses of connected neuronsDecades of psychopharmacology have confirmed this view, because most psychoactive drugs appear to play their effects on mood and behavior by interfering with the function of chemicals called synaptic neurotransmittersThis mechanism is proposed to regulate the behavioral response to the active ingredient cannabinoids of cannabisBut Giovanni Marsicano et alreport in the journal Nature on the different mechanisms of action of cannabinoid-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which involves the metabolism of non-neuronal lactic acid molecules called astrocytesThe findings caution against oversimplifying the mechanisms behind behaviorTo learn more about the brain networks and mechanisms involved in the relationships in which cannabis leads to social decline, the team led by Giovanni Marsicano worked with a Team in Spain led by Juan Bolanos of the University of SalamancaPhoto Source: Nature, more broadly, their work aims to raise awareness of how cannabinoid receptors (brain receptors that interact with chemicals in cannabis) workIn their study, published in the journal Nature, the researchers showed that the activation of specific cannabinoid receptors, which are found in central nervous system starcells called astrocytes, leads to changes in behavior associated with social skills after exposure to cannabisThe findings on cannabinoid receptors and mitochondria are the result of nearly a decade of hard workIn 2012, Marsicano and his team made a startling discovery: Cannabinoid receptors are not present only in cell membranes as previously thoughtSome of these receptors are also located on the mitochondrial membrane, which is the organelle within the cell, which provides the energy needed by the cellThe new study follows the team's determination of cannabinoid receptors located on the mitochondrial membranes of astrocytesAmong other functions, these cells play a very important role in the brain's energy metabolism They capture glucose from the blood and metabolize it into lactate, the "food" of neurons Given the importance of astrocytes and energy consumption for brain function, the researchers wanted to understand the role of these specific cannabinoid receptors and the effects of exposure to cannabis on the brain and behavior The researchers then exposed mice to tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana They observed that the continued activation of the carbide cannabinoid receptors of astrocytes led to the molecular process of cascade, leading to dysfunction of glucose metabolism in astrogenglial glial cells As a result, astrocytes are less able to convert glucose into neuronal "food." In the absence of the necessary energy intake, the neuronal function of animals is impaired and has harmful effects on behavior The researchers found that mice treated with tetrahydrocannabinol showed abnormal social isolation -- they stayed separated from other mice in cages longer than those in the control group This effect can be reversed with lactic acid When the mice lowered the expression of a protein called MCT2 (in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex) in the hippocampus of the brain, the mice also showed social isolation MCT2 regulates lactic acid into neurons These observations reinforce the role of lactic acid in the shuttle between astrocytes and neurons "Our study is the first to show that sometimes the decline in social skills caused by cannabis use is the result of changes in glucose metabolism in the brain It also opens up new avenues for research into ways to address some of the behavioral problems caused by exposure to cannabis In addition, it reveals the direct effects of astrocyte energy metabolism on behavior," Marsicano said While the debate over the therapeutic nature of cannabis is back on the line, the researchers also believe such work is necessary to better understand how the body's various cannabinoid receptors interact with the drug and whether any of these specific receptors are particularly relevant to harmful effects Such research will make it possible to ensure optimal management of patients who may need this treatment () References: Jimenez-Blasco, D., Busquets-Garcia, A., Hebert-Chatelain, Et al Glucose metabolism links asglitroal mitochondria to the tonabinoids Nature (2020) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2470-yHow lactate links cannabis to social behaviour Star-shaped brain cells shed light on the link between the tha iad a' saue.