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Fatty acid binding protein 7 (FABP7) is present in the brain, but its interaction with the endocannabinoid system and phytocannabinoids is still not well understood. FABP7 has been proposed as a shuttle protein for trafficking endogenous cannabinoids, as well as an intracellular carrier of THC. In a mouse model of FABP7 global deletion, we used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to measure brain levels of Δ9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as well as its primary metabolite, 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), in male and female mice after acute inhalation of THC, compared to wild-type controls. We also measured brain levels of endogenous cannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) both at baseline and after acute THC inhalation. We found that in females, brain concentrations of 11-OH-THC were significantly reduced in FABP7-/- mice compared to FABP7+/+. Additionally, FABP7-/- females had significantly reduced AEA levels and significantly increased 2-AG levels in brain tissue compared to FABP7+/+. Vaporized THC administration had trending, but not significant, impacts on endocannabinoid concentrations in both males and females. Our findings suggest a sex-specific role of FABP7 in the metabolism of THC as well as the regulation of endocannabinoid levels in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Nicotine and tobacco use remain high both globally and in the United States, contributing to large health care expenditures. With a rise in e-cigarette use, it is important to have clinically relevant models of inhaled nicotine exposure. Aims and Methods This study aims to extend prior preclinical nicotine inhalation animal data to females and provide both behavior and serum pharmacokinetics. We tested two inhalation doses of nicotine (24 mg/mL and 59 mg/ mL) and compared these to injected doses (0.4 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg). In addition, we assessed locomotor behavior after the same doses. Blood was collected at 10- and 120-minutes post-administration. We assessed nicotine and cotinine serum concentrations by LC–MS/MS. Results Showed that while nicotine serum concentrations for the respective high and low-dose administrations were similar between both routes of administration, the route had differential effects on locomotor behavior. Inhaled nicotine showed a dose-dependent decrease in locomotor activity while injected doses showed the opposite trend. Conclusions Our results indicate that the route of administration is an important factor when establishing preclinical models of nicotine exposures. Given that the overall use of e-cigarettes in vulnerable populations is on the rise, our study provides important behavioral and pharmacokinetic information to advance our currently limited understanding of the effects of nicotine vapor exposure. Implications This study highlights behavioral differences between different routes of administration of similar doses of nicotine. Using a low and high dose of nicotine, we found that nicotine serum concentrations were similar between the different routes of administration. Our results indicate that different routes of administration have opposing effects on locomotor activity. These findings provide important implications for future behavioral models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise promotes health and wellness, including its operation as a protective factor against a variety of psychological, neurological, and chronic diseases. Selenium and its biomarker, selenoprotein P (SEPP1), have been implicated in health, including cancer prevention, neurological function, and dopamine signaling. SEPP1 blood serum levels were compared with a one-way ANOVA between sedentary (SED), moderately exercised (MOD) [10 m/min starting at 10 min, increasing to 60 min], and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercised rats [30 min in intervals of 2-min followed by a 1-min break, speed progressively increased from 10 to 21 m/min]. HIIT rats showed significantly higher serum SEPP1 concentrations compared to MOD and SED. More specifically, HIIT exercise showed an 84% increase in SEPP1 levels compared to sedentary controls. MOD rats had greater serum SEPP1 concentrations compared to SED, a 33% increase. The results indicated that increased exercise intensity increases SEPP1 levels. Exercise-induced increases in SEPP1 may indicate an adaptive response to the heightened oxidative stress. Previous studies found a significant increase in dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) binding in these same rats, suggesting a potential association between SEPP1 and dopamine signaling during exercise. Modulating antioxidants like SEPP1 through personalized therapies, including exercise, has broad implications for health, disease, and addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]