Fig. 2

Representative structures of arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoid classes and associated inflammatory effects. Eicosanoids are derived from arachidonic acids, via either the 5-LOX-mediated pathway or COX-1/COX-2-mediated pathway. The 5-LOX-mediated pathway gives rise to eicosanoids such as leukotrienes and hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids, whereas the COX-1/COX-2-mediated pathway produces thromboxanes and prostaglandins. These eicosanoids are elevated in ALS disease states and exert pro-inflammatory effects. Endocannabinoids are synthesized reversibly from arachidonic acids. Arachidonoyl ethanolamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) are endocannabinoids that are upregulated in ALS disease states. Binding and subsequent activation of AEA and 2-AG to CB1/CB2 receptors activates anti-inflammatory response