SUPPRESSION OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS BY CANNABINOIDS

Citation
I. Wirguin et al., SUPPRESSION OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS BY CANNABINOIDS, Immunopharmacology, 28(3), 1994, pp. 209-214
Citations number
37
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology & Pharmacy",Immunology
Journal title
ISSN journal
0162-3109
Volume
28
Issue
3
Year of publication
1994
Pages
209 - 214
Database
ISI
SICI code
0162-3109(1994)28:3<209:SOEAEB>2.0.ZU;2-M
Abstract
The effect of Delta(8)-THC on experimental autoimmune encephalomyeliti s (EAE) was examined. Delta(8)-THC is an analogue of Delta(9)-THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana. It is more stable and less psych otropic than Delta(9)-THC and like the latter it binds to the brain ca nnabinoid receptor. Two strains of rats were inoculated for EAE, and D elta(8)-THC (40 mg/kg) was administered for up to 21 days. Delta(8)-TH C significantly reduced the incidence and severity of neurological def icit in both rat strains. The beneficial influence of Delta(8)-THC onl y occurred on oral administration and not with parenteral injection. S erum corticosterone levels were twofold elevated in rats with EAE chro nically treated with Delta(8)-THC. These results suggest that suppress ion of EAE by cannabinoids may be related to their effect on corticost erone secretion.