J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 842–849. Abstract Endocannabinoids are neuromodulatory lipids that mediate the central and peripheral neural functions. Endocannabinoids have demonstrated their anti‐proliferative, anti‐angiogenic and pro‐apoptotic properties in a series of studies. In the present study, we investigated the levels of two major endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2‐arachidonylglycerol (2‐AG), and their receptors, CB1 and CB2, in human low grade glioma (WHO grade I‐II) tissues, high grade glioma (WHO grade III‐IV) tissues, and non‐tumor brain tissue controls. We also measured the expressions and activities of the enzymes responsible for anandamide and 2‐AG biosynthesis and degradation, that is, N‐acylphosphatidylethanolamine‐hydrolysing phospholipase D (NAPE‐PLD), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL), and diacylglycerol lipase‐alpha (DGL), in the same samples. Liquid chromatography–mass spectometry analysis showed that the levels of anandamide decreased, whereas the levels of 2‐AG increased in glioma tissues, comparing to the non‐tumor controls. The expression levels and activities of NAPE‐PLD, FAAH and MGL also decreased in glioma tissues. Furthermore, quantitative‐PCR analysis and western‐blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of cananbinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, were elevated in human glioma tissues. The changes of anandamide and 2‐AG contents in different stages of gliomas may qualify them as the potential endogenous biomarkers for glial tumor malignancy.

A PPK model was developed to estimate the individual clearance in inpatients receiving intravenously infused VCM and could be used to develop individualised dosing of adult Chinese PCM patients.

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Sellar plasmacytoma is a rare cause of sellar lesions. Preoperative diagnosis remains a challenge.We present a 34-year-old Chinese woman with a 25-day history of headache and diplopia. A physical examination revealed incomplete left abducens nerve palsy.The initial diagnosis was invasive pituitary adenoma. The patient’s condition deteriorated suddenly the day before the arranged operating date, with the hemoglobin level declining from 113 to 70 g/L. The operation was cancelled and further studies confirmed the diagnosis of sellar solitary plasmacytoma that progressed to multiple myeloma. After undergoing radiotherapy, high-dose chemotherapy, and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, complete remission was achieved on 4 years follow-up.We reviewed the pertinent literature and reached the following conclusions: sellar plasmacytomas with development of multiple myeloma on follow-up more likely happened in men than in women; and if the sellar plasmacytoma does not compress the cranial nerve, transsphenoidal resection should be cautious because the systemic treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation may be more effective with little invasion.