Di Marzo V, Melck D, Bisogno T, De Petrocellis L
Istituto per la Chimica di Molecole di Interesse Biologico, CNR, Napoli, Italy.
Trends Neurosci. 1998 Dec;21(12):521-8. doi: 10.1016/s0166-2236(98)01283-1.
The existence of an endogenous cannabinoid system was demonstrated conclusively with the discovery of endogenous brain constituents capable of activating the cannabinoid receptors functionally. These compounds are synthesized by neuronal cells and inactivated through re-uptake and enzymatic hydrolysis by both neurons and astrocytes. In analogy with the endorphins they can be referred to as endocannabinoids. Apart from the identification of their metabolic pathways, research carried out in the past six years has focused on the possible cellular and molecular targets for the actions of endocannabinoids. These studies have confirmed a similarity between the endocannabinoids and the psychoactive substance in marijuana, delta9(-)-tetrahydrocannabinol, and have suggested a role for endocannabinoids in the modulation of neurotransmitter action and release.
随着能够在功能上激活大麻素受体的内源性脑成分的发现，内源性大麻素系统的存在得到了确凿证明。这些化合物由神经元细胞合成，并通过神经元和星形胶质细胞的再摄取和酶促水解而失活。与内啡肽类似，它们可被称为内源性大麻素。除了确定其代谢途径外，过去六年开展的研究集中在内源性大麻素作用的可能细胞和分子靶点上。这些研究证实了内源性大麻素与大麻中的精神活性物质Δ9(-)-四氢大麻酚之间的相似性，并表明内源性大麻素在调节神经递质作用和释放方面发挥作用。
