Nerve Agent&cannabinoid

Front 1

Organophosphorous nerve agents activate the endocannabinoid system, the same one affected by delta-9 tetrohydrocannabinol(THC) the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. TRUE/FALSE

Back 1

TRUE

Front 2

What is the suspected association between nerve agents and acetylcholinesterase?

Back 2

Researchers have long suspected that some effects of sublethal doses of nerve agents cannot be attributed to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, the primary target responsible for their toxicity.

Front 3

Researchers used a sarin homologue, isopropyl dodecylfluorophosnate(IDFP), that is not selective for Achase to identify possible secondary targets. TRUE/FALSE

Back 3

TRUE

Front 4

They learned that IDFP inhibits what?

Back 4

It inhibits the 2 enzymes primarily responsible for endocannabinoid degradation--monoacylglycerol lipase(MAGL), which metabolizes 2-arachidonylglycerol(2-AG) and fatty acid amide hydrolase(FAAH) which metabolizes anandamide.

Front 5

What was found when both enzymes were shut down?

Back 5

The level of 2-AG and anandamide in the brain 10 fold. In mice injected with IDFP the researchers saw full blown cannabinoid effects similar to those of cannabinoid receptor agonists such as THC.

Front 6

It has been shown that selective FAAH inhibitors raise anandamide levels and elicit the antianxiety and analgesic therapeutic effects of cannabinoids without the cognitive effects. TRUE/FALSE

Back 6

TRUE

Front 7

What resulted in an increase in 2-AG levels?

Back 7

This lead to adecrease in the level of arichidonic acid, a precursor of prostaglandins, which cause inflammation, pain and fever.

Front 8

What challenge is presented with an increase in2-AG levels?

Back 8

They challenge the conventional wisdom that phospholipase A2 is the main enzyme responsible for the release of arachidonic acid.

Front 9

What are prostanoids?

Back 9

They are aclass of fatty acids largelt associated with inflammation responses.