Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology
European Journal of Pharmacology
Volume 568, Issues 1-3, 30 July 2007, Pages 173-176
Abstract
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doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.04.060 
Copyright © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Short communication
Pre-emptive antinociceptive effects of a synthetic cannabinoid in a model of neuropathic pain
Josée Guindona, Julie Desrochesa, Mélina Dania and Pierre Beaulieua, b, 
, 
aDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal-CHUM, 3840 rue St-Urbain, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 1T8
bDepartment of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal-CHUM, 3840 rue St-Urbain, Montréal, Québec, Canada H2W 1T8
Received 5 March 2007; revised 21 April 2007; accepted 24 April 2007. Available online 22 May 2007.
Abstract
The antinociceptive effects of WIN55,212-2, a synthetic cannabinoid, were evaluated in the model of partial sciatic nerve ligation after daily subcutaneous administration of 0.1 mg/kg a week before and two weeks after surgery. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were evaluated in 46 rats allocated to receive: (1) Vehicle (before surgery) − Vehicle (after surgery); (2) Vehicle − WIN55,212-2; (3) WIN55,212-2 − Vehicle; (4) WIN55,212-2 − WIN55,212-2; (5) AM251 + vehicle; (6) AM251 + WIN55,212-2; (7) AM630 + vehicle; (8) AM630 + WIN55,212-2; (9) Sham receiving vehicle; and (10) Sham receiving WIN55,212-2. The decreased in mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia by WIN55,212-2 was significantly greater when it was administered during one week before surgery. In conclusion, pre-emptive use of cannabinoids produced greater antinociceptive effects in a model of neuropathic pain and this effect is mediated by cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Keywords: WIN 55,212-2; Neuropathic pain; Pre-emptive analgesia; Cannabinoids; CB1 and CB2cannabinoid receptor antagonists