Sandbox Reserved 921: Difference between revisions

Fatty acid amid hydrolase (FAAH) is the primary catabolic enzyme for the degradation of fatty acid amides.  FAAH is most commonly known for the degradation of anandamid[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anandamide], which is an endocannabinoid that activates the CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors.  When CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors are active the receptors affect appetite, sleep, and relief of pain.  The ability to inhibit FAAH has been widely investigated for possible pain relief medication.  A recent study on FAAH inhibitors combined an irreversible bond at Cys269 and a reversible bond at Ser241 of the active site.  A humanized rat variant of FAAH was inhibited and the mice displayed an increase in endogenous brain levels of FAAH substrates for over six hours.  This is the first step towards developing a long lasting pain relief medication by inhibiting FAAH.