Palmitoylethanolamide and White Matter Lesions: Evidence for Therapeutic Implications

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), the naturally occurring amide of ethanolamine and palmitic acid, is an endogenous lipid compound endowed with a plethora of pharmacological functions, including analgesic, neuroprotective, immune-modulating, and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the properties of PEA w...

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Main Authors: Marta Valenza, Roberta Facchinetti, Luca Steardo, Caterina Scuderi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-08-01
Series:Biomolecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/12/9/1191
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author Marta Valenza
Roberta Facchinetti
Luca Steardo
Caterina Scuderi
author_facet Marta Valenza
Roberta Facchinetti
Luca Steardo
Caterina Scuderi
author_sort Marta Valenza
collection DOAJ
description Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), the naturally occurring amide of ethanolamine and palmitic acid, is an endogenous lipid compound endowed with a plethora of pharmacological functions, including analgesic, neuroprotective, immune-modulating, and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the properties of PEA were first characterized nearly 65 years ago, the identity of the receptor mediating these actions has long remained elusive, causing a period of research stasis. In the last two decades, a renewal of interest in PEA occurred, and a series of interesting studies have demonstrated the pharmacological properties of PEA and clarified its mechanisms of action. Recent findings showed the ability of formulations containing PEA in promoting oligodendrocyte differentiation, which represents the first step for the proper formation of myelin. This evidence opens new and promising research opportunities. White matter defects have been detected in a vast and heterogeneous group of diseases, including age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we summarize the history and pharmacology of PEA and discuss its therapeutic potential in restoring white matter defects.
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spelling doaj.art-846afa6606dc422e88fd4db3e17257cc2023-11-23T15:14:24ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2022-08-01129119110.3390/biom12091191Palmitoylethanolamide and White Matter Lesions: Evidence for Therapeutic ImplicationsMarta Valenza0Roberta Facchinetti1Luca Steardo2Caterina Scuderi3Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, SAPIENZA University of Rome—P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, SAPIENZA University of Rome—P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, SAPIENZA University of Rome—P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, SAPIENZA University of Rome—P.le A. Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, ItalyPalmitoylethanolamide (PEA), the naturally occurring amide of ethanolamine and palmitic acid, is an endogenous lipid compound endowed with a plethora of pharmacological functions, including analgesic, neuroprotective, immune-modulating, and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the properties of PEA were first characterized nearly 65 years ago, the identity of the receptor mediating these actions has long remained elusive, causing a period of research stasis. In the last two decades, a renewal of interest in PEA occurred, and a series of interesting studies have demonstrated the pharmacological properties of PEA and clarified its mechanisms of action. Recent findings showed the ability of formulations containing PEA in promoting oligodendrocyte differentiation, which represents the first step for the proper formation of myelin. This evidence opens new and promising research opportunities. White matter defects have been detected in a vast and heterogeneous group of diseases, including age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we summarize the history and pharmacology of PEA and discuss its therapeutic potential in restoring white matter defects.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/12/9/1191palmitoylethanolamideluteolinoligodendrocyteastrocytemyelindemyelinating diseases
spellingShingle Marta Valenza
Roberta Facchinetti
Luca Steardo
Caterina Scuderi
Palmitoylethanolamide and White Matter Lesions: Evidence for Therapeutic Implications
Biomolecules
palmitoylethanolamide
luteolin
oligodendrocyte
astrocyte
myelin
demyelinating diseases
title Palmitoylethanolamide and White Matter Lesions: Evidence for Therapeutic Implications
title_full Palmitoylethanolamide and White Matter Lesions: Evidence for Therapeutic Implications
title_fullStr Palmitoylethanolamide and White Matter Lesions: Evidence for Therapeutic Implications
title_full_unstemmed Palmitoylethanolamide and White Matter Lesions: Evidence for Therapeutic Implications
title_short Palmitoylethanolamide and White Matter Lesions: Evidence for Therapeutic Implications
title_sort palmitoylethanolamide and white matter lesions evidence for therapeutic implications
topic palmitoylethanolamide
luteolin
oligodendrocyte
astrocyte
myelin
demyelinating diseases
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/12/9/1191
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AT robertafacchinetti palmitoylethanolamideandwhitematterlesionsevidencefortherapeuticimplications
AT lucasteardo palmitoylethanolamideandwhitematterlesionsevidencefortherapeuticimplications
AT caterinascuderi palmitoylethanolamideandwhitematterlesionsevidencefortherapeuticimplications