Cannabidiol reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular changes and inflammation in the mouse brain: an intravital microscopy study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) exhibits antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. The present study was designed to explore its effects in a mouse model of sepsis-related encephalitis by intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

METHODS:

Vascular responses of pial vessels were analyzed by intravital microscopy and inflammatory parameters measured by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS:

CBD prevented LPS-induced arteriolar and venular vasodilation as well as leukocyte margination. In addition, CBD abolished LPS-induced increases in tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cyclooxygenase-2 expression as measured by quantitative real time PCR. The expression of the inducible-nitric oxide synthase was also reduced by CBD. Finally, preservation of Blood Brain Barrier integrity was also associated to the treatment with CBD.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data highlight the antiinflammatory and vascular-stabilizing effects of CBD in endotoxic shock and suggest a possible beneficial effect of this natural cannabinoid.

• Authors: Lourdes Ruiz-Valdepeñas, José A Martínez-Orgado, Cristina Benito, Africa Millán, Rosa M Tolón, Julián Romero
• Journal: Journal of neuroinflammation (J Neuroinflammation) Vol. 8 Issue 1 Pg. 5 (Jan 18 2011) ISSN: 1742-2094 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21244691 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Lipopolysaccharides
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Cannabidiol
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
• Nos2 protein, mouse
• Ptgs2 protein, mouse
• Cyclooxygenase 2

Topics

• Animals
• Blood Vessels (drug effects, pathology)
• Blood-Brain Barrier (drug effects, physiology)
• Brain
• Cannabidiol (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cerebrovascular Circulation (drug effects)
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (genetics, metabolism)
• Inflammation (chemically induced, drug therapy, pathology)
• Leukocytes (cytology, physiology)
• Lipopolysaccharides (pharmacology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Microscopy (methods)
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II (genetics, metabolism)
• Oxidative Stress
• Pia Mater (blood supply)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (genetics, metabolism)