Publications by authors named "Brendan Clavin"

Inhibition and genetic deletion of fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) 5 and 7 have been shown to increase the levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide as well as the related N-acylethanolamine's palmitoylethanolamide and oleoylethanolamide. This study examined the role of these FABPs on forced-swim (FS) behavior and on sucrose consumption in two experiments: (experiment 1) using wild-type (WT) mice treated with the FABP inhibitor SBFI26 or vehicle and (experiment 2) using WT and FABP5/7 deficient mice. Results from experiment 1 showed that acute treatment with SBFI26 did not have any effect on sucrose intake or FS behavior in mice.

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Genetic and pharmacological manipulation of endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling has previously been shown to have an important role on the rewarding properties of drugs of abuse, including cocaine. Recently, fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) have been proposed as intracellular transporters of the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) as well as other bioactive lipids to their catabolic enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). The role of these transporters in modulating the brains reward system has yet to be investigated.

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The therapeutic properties of cannabinoids have been well demonstrated but are overshadowed by such adverse effects as cognitive and motor dysfunction, as well as their potential for addiction. Recent research on the natural lipid ligands of cannabinoid receptors, also known as endocannabinoids, has shed light on the mechanisms of intracellular transport of the endocannabinoid anandamide by fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) and subsequent catabolism by fatty acid amide hydrolase. These findings facilitated the recent development of SBFI26, a pharmacological inhibitor of epidermal- and brain-specific FABP5 and FABP7, which effectively increases anandamide signaling.

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Background: Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) serve as intracellular carriers that deliver endocannabinoids and N-acylethanolamines to their catabolic enzymes. Inhibition of FABPs reduces endocannabinoid transport and catabolism in cells and FABP inhibitors produce antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in mice. Potential analgesic effects in mice lacking FABPs, however, have not been tested.

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