The relationship between chronic pelvic pain, uterine contractility, and the chemical messengers that regulate uterine contractions and pain are not well understood. This research proposal is designed to test the hypothesis that the endocannabinoids, arachidonoylethanolamide (anandamide; AEA), 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) and the putative lipid mediator N-arachidonoylglycine (NAGly) play a functional role in uterine contractions and pain and that this regulation is controlled by the hormonal milieu.
Specific aim 1 is designed to measure endogenous levels of AEA, 2-AG, and NAGly, changes in cannabinoid receptor density and affinity, and FAAH activity in the rat reproductive tract as a function of changes in the hormonal milieu.
Specific aim 2 is designed to measure the effect of AEA, 2-AG, and NAGly on uterine contraction rates and amplitudes.
Specific aim 3 is designed to measure the effects of AEA, 2-AG, and NAGly on behavioral responses to noxious uterine stimulation. Preliminary data in this proposal demonstrates that uterine levels of AEA, 2-AG, and NAGly are regulated by the hormonal milieu and that this change may facilitate changes in uterine contractions. The experiments in this proposal will provide information that could lead to a novel platform from which to launch new studies in the etiology and treatment of chronic pelvic pain in women.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32DA016825-01
Application #
6691102
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Babecki, Beth
Project Start
2003-09-22
Project End
2006-09-21
Budget Start
2003-09-22
Budget End
2004-09-21
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$45,148
Indirect Cost
Name
Brown University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
001785542
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02912
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Rubio, Marina; McHugh, Douglas; Fernandez-Ruiz, Javier et al. (2007) Short-term exposure to alcohol in rats affects brain levels of anandamide, other N-acylethanolamines and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol. Neurosci Lett 421:270-4
Tan, Bo; Bradshaw, Heather B; Rimmerman, Neta et al. (2006) Targeted lipidomics: discovery of new fatty acyl amides. AAPS J 8:E461-5

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