Cited by 176Cannabis and Cannabinoid ResearchCircadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Wakefulness Research

Endocannabinoid signalling: has it got rhythm?

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Vaughn, Linda K, Denning, Gerene, Stuhr, Kara L, de Wit, Harriet, Hill, Matthew N, Hillard, Cecilia J·2010·British Journal of Pharmacology

Abstract

Endogenous cannabinoid signalling is widespread throughout the body, and considerable evidence supports its modulatory role in many fundamental physiological processes. The daily and seasonal cycles of the relationship of the earth and sun profoundly affect the terrestrial environment. Terrestrial species have adapted to these cycles in many ways, most well studied are circadian rhythms and hibernation. The purpose of this review was to examine literature support for three hypotheses: (i) endocannabinoid signalling exhibits brain region-specific circadian rhythms; (ii) endocannabinoid signalling modulates the rhythm of circadian processes in mammals; and (iii) changes in endocannabinoid signalling contribute to the state of hibernation. The results of two novel studies are presented. First, we report the results of a study of healthy humans demonstrating that plasma concentrations of the endocannabinoid, N-arachidonylethanolamine (anandamide), exhibit a circadian rhythm. Concentrations of anandamide are threefold higher at wakening than immediately before sleep, a relationship that is dysregulated by sleep deprivation. Second, we investigated differences in endocannabinoids and congeners in plasma from Marmota monax obtained in the summer and during the torpor state of hibernation. We report that 2-arachidonoylglycerol is below detection in M. monax plasma and that concentrations of anandamide are not different. However, plasma concentrations of the anorexigenic lipid oleoylethanolamide were significantly lower in hibernation, while the concentrations of palmitoylethanolamide and 2-oleoylglycerol were significantly greater in hibernation. We conclude that available data support a bidirectional relationship between endocannabinoid signalling and circadian processes, and investigation of the contribution of endocannabinoid signalling to the dramatic physiological changes that occur during hibernation is warranted.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00790.x

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  • Only two studies have linked systemic release of plasma concentrations of endocannabinoids to acute sleep loss in humans.

    “However, to date, only two studies have been able to link systemic release of plasma concentrations of endocannabinoids to acute sleep loss in humans (Hanlon et al., 2016;Vaughn et al., 2010), and have not tested how further physiological stress impacts this signaling system.”
  • One night of total sleep deprivation disrupted the normal pattern of circulating AEA, indicating significant dysregulation of circulating AEA.

    “this pattern was disrupted following one night of total sleep deprivation (e.g.concentrations of plasma AEA did not decline over the day), indicating that the absence of sleep produces a significant dysregulation of circulating AEA (Vaughn et al., 2010).”
  • In a study of five healthy humans under a normal sleep-wake cycle, circulating AEA concentrations increased from nighttime to morning and then declined closer to nighttime.

    “in a study involving five healthy humans, circulating AEA concentrations increased from nighttime to morning and then declined again closer to nighttime when participants were kept under a normal sleep-wake cycle.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Zucker I (2001). Cirannual Rhythms: Mammals. Kluwer Academic/ Plenum: London, pp. 509-524.

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Authors
Vaughn, L. K., Denning, G., Stuhr, K. L., de Wit, H., Hill, M. N., & Hillard, C. J.
Affiliations
  • Marquette University (US)
  • University of Iowa (US)
  • Medical College of Wisconsin (US)
  • Rockefeller University (US)
Corresponding author
Hillard, Cecilia J
Venue
British Journal of Pharmacology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2010-05-19
Volume
160
Issue
3
Pages
530-543
ISSN
  • 0007-1188 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5381
OpenAlex
W1533581117
Cited by
176
References
170
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 7
FWCI
0.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • British Journal of Pharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • e-Publications@Marquette (Marquette University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Medical College of Wisconsin
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01DA009155, DA09155, R01DA009133, DA09133)
  • National Center for Research Resources (M01 RR 000555)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
Keywords
endocannabinoid signaling, circadian rhythm, hibernation, anandamide, oleoylethanolamide, palmitoylethanolamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, Marmota monax, torpor, sleep deprivation, seasonal adaptation
MeSH terms
Animals, Brain, Circadian Rhythm, Hibernation, Humans, Physiological Phenomena, Signal Transduction, Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators, Endocannabinoids

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