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Analgesic and antiinflammatory effects of cannabinoid receptor agonists in a rat model of neuropathic pain

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Abstract

Cannabinoid receptor (CB) agonists are known to attenuate allodynia in a range of pain models, but their long-term effects and their mechanisms of action are controversial. The present study compares the antiallodynic effects of long-term treatment with a mixed CB1/CB2 (WIN55,212-2) and a selective CB2 (GW405833) cannabinoid receptor agonist and correlates these effects with their influences on spinal cord (SC) glial activation. The substances were applied daily in a rat neuropathic pain model. Tactile allodynia was assessed, and the development of gliosis was illustrated with immunohistochemical methods. Both substances reduced mechanical allodynia. Their analgesic effect was accompanied by a significant reduction in reactive gliosis and cathepsins (CAT) X and S expression. A daily injection of either substance for 8 days was sufficient to induce a sustained antiallodynic effect, which persisted up to 6 days after the last injection. The re-appearance of mechanical allodynia after this period was associated with a breakout of a strong gliotic response in the lumbar SC. Our results emphasize the therapeutic efficacy of cannabinoid receptor agonists and their inhibitory effects on the formation of gliosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Animal Physiology, Biology and Biotechnology, ND5/132, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780, Bochum, Germany

    Anna Leichsenring, Michael Andriske, Ingo Bäcker, Christine C. Stichel & Hermann Lübbert

  2. Biofrontera Bioscience GmbH, 51377, Leverkusen, Germany

    Christine C. Stichel & Hermann Lübbert

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  1. Anna Leichsenring
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  2. Michael Andriske
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  3. Ingo Bäcker
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  4. Christine C. Stichel
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  5. Hermann Lübbert
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Correspondence to Christine C. Stichel.

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Leichsenring, A., Andriske, M., Bäcker, I. et al. Analgesic and antiinflammatory effects of cannabinoid receptor agonists in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Naunyn-Schmied Arch Pharmacol 379, 627–636 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-008-0386-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-008-0386-4

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