Influence of cannabinoids upon nerve-evoked skeletal muscle contraction

Abstract

Endocannabinoids play important roles in regulating CNS synaptic function and peripheral metabolism, but cannabinoids can also act acutely to modulate contraction strength in skeletal muscle. Nerve terminals and the skeletal muscle sarcolemma express components of the cannabinoid signaling system. Endocannabinoids, N-arachidonylethanolamine (anandamide, AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG), are produced by skeletal muscle. They may be involved in the acute regulation of neuromuscular transmission, by adjusting the parameters for quantal acetylcholine release from the motor nerve terminal. Downstream of neuromuscular transmission, cannabinoids may also act to limit the efficiency of excitation-contraction coupling. Improved understanding of the distinct signaling actions of particular cannabinoid compounds and their receptor/transduction systems will help advance our understanding of the role of endocannabinoids in skeletal muscle physiology. Cannabinoids might also offer the potential to develop new pharmacotherapeutics to treat neuromuscular disorders that affect muscle strength.

Keywords: Anandamide; Dihydropyridine receptor; Endocannabinoids; L-type calcium channels; Myasthenia gravis; Neuromuscular disease; Neuromuscular junction; Spasticity.