Abstract
The present studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that activation of peripheral cannabinoid CB2 receptors would suppress hyperalgesia evoked by intradermal administration of capsaicin, the pungent ingredient in hot chili peppers. The CB2-selective cannabinoid agonist (2-iodo-5-nitro-phenyl)-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-methanone (AM1241) (33, 330 μg/kg i.p.) suppressed the development of capsaicin-evoked thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia. AM1241 also produced a dose-dependent suppression of capsaicin-evoked nocifensive behavior. The AM1241-induced suppression of each parameter of capsaicin-evoked pain behavior was completely blocked by the CB2 antagonist N-[(1S)-endo-1,3,3-trimethyl bicycle [2.2.1] heptan-2-yl]-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR144528) but not by the CB1 antagonist N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamidehydrochloride (SR141716A). AM1241 (33 μg/kg i.pl.) suppressed capsaicin-evoked thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and allodynia after local administration to the capsaicin-treated (ipsilateral) paw but was inactive after administration to the capsaicin-untreated (contralateral) paw. Our data indicate that AM1241 suppresses capsaicin-evoked hyperalgesia and allodynia through a local site of action. These data provide evidence that actions at cannabinoid CB2 receptors are sufficient to normalize nociceptive thresholds and produce antinociception in persistent pain states.
Footnotes
-
This study was supported by DA14265, DA14022 (to A.G.H.) and DA9158, DA3801 (to A.M.).
-
DOI: 10.1124/jpet.103.060079.
-
ABBREVIATIONS: CB, cannabinoid; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; i.p., i.pl., intraplantar; ANOVA, analysis of variance; PLSD, protected least significant difference; Fr, Friedman statistic; KW, Kruskal-Wallis statistic; WIN55,212-2, R(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3[(morpholinyl)methyl]pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazinyl]-(1-napthalenyl)methanone mesylate; SR141716A, N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride; AM1241, (2-iodo-5-nitrophenyl)-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-methanone; SR144528, N-[(1S)-endo-1,3,3-trimethyl bicycle [2.2.1] heptan-2-yl]-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxamide.
- Received September 15, 2003.
- Accepted November 5, 2003.
- The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
JPET articles become freely available 12 months after publication, and remain freely available for 5 years.Non-open access articles that fall outside this five year window are available only to institutional subscribers and current ASPET members, or through the article purchase feature at the bottom of the page.
|