Central and peripheral sites of action for CB₂ receptor mediated analgesic activity in chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain models in rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Cannabinoid CB₂ receptor activation by selective agonists has been shown to produce analgesic effects in preclinical models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. However, mechanisms underlying CB₂-mediated analgesic effects remain largely unknown. The present study was conducted to elucidate the CB₂ receptor expression in 'pain relevant' tissues and the potential sites of action of CB₂ agonism in rats.

Experimental approach

Expression of cannabinoid receptor mRNA was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR in dorsal root ganglia (DRGs), spinal cords, paws and several brain regions of sham, chronic inflammatory pain (CFA) and neuropathic pain (spinal nerve ligation, SNL) rats. The sites of CB₂ mediated antinociception were evaluated in vivo following intra-DRG

SUBMITTER: Hsieh GC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3031063 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature