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Stress during Lactation Affects Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Protein Expression in Adipose Tissue and Liver of Adult Mice

Valeska AC, Carina AV, Paula P, Ana MR and Miguel NL

CIntroduction: Early stress alters the endo-cannabinoid system of tissues involved in energy homeostasis, leading to long term consequences associated to hormonal and metabolic disruptions associated to overweight/obesity and insulin resistance. We have previously reported a decreased Anandamide (AEA)-hydrolysing activity in liver and epididymal fat of adult mice previously subjected to stress during lactation, a result that may indicate reduced activity of the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase present in both tissues (FAAH; able to hydrolyse the endocannabinoid AEA).

Objective: Since at present it is unknown whether early stress affects FAAH gene and/or protein expression in liver and adipose tissue during adulthood, we have performed studies with the aim of evaluating these parameters.

Methods: Male mice pups were subjected to a soft nociceptive stress during the first 21 days of life (whole lactation period) with a subcutaneous injection of saline solution in the back, and sacrificed when adults (130 days old) to extract liver and epididymal fat.

Results: Data obtained from real time PCR demonstrate that stress during lactation do not affect FAAH mRNA expression either in liver or epididymal adipose tissue of adult animals; however, Western Blot analyses indicates that FAAH protein amount was decreased by 35 and 65% in liver and epididymal fat, respectively.

Conclusion: Present results demonstrate that nociceptive stress during lactation leads to decreased FAAH protein expression in liver and epididymal fat of adult mice, which may be associated to the low AEA- hydrolysing activity previously reported by us in both tissues. Low levels and activity of FAAH should result in increased availability of AEA, leading to a sustained activity of type 1 cannabinoid receptors associated to undesirable cellular and physiological consequences