title: Ocular activity of topically administered anandamide in the rabbit.
abstract: Marijuana and its psychoactive constituents, cannabinoids, reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in humans and animals. Because anandamide, a recently discovered endogenous ligand of cannabinoid receptors, reportedly shows cannabimimetic pharmacological activity, we examined its effect on the eye. Varying amounts of anandamide, in 50 microL of light mineral oil, were topically applied to a rabbit eye and changes in IOP and ocular symptoms were monitored. Anandamide (50 micrograms to 1 mg) induced a significant decrease in IOP within 1 hour after administration; maximum reduction occurred at 2 hours; and there was a return to baseline by 7 hours following administration. A noticeable hyperemia of conjunctival blood vessels was also noted 2 hours after administration. Neither mineral oil alone or with palmitylethanolamide (an analogue of anandamide) caused a significant decrease in IOP or conjunctival hyperemia. This study indicates that anandamide does produce cannabimimetic effect in rabbit eyes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokushima School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mikawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanagawa
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tajika
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ueda
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mimura
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000577:Amides; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D015814:Ocular Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010169:Palmitic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D011680:Pupil / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004983:Ethanolamines; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010169:Palmitic Acids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; C005958:palmidrol; C078814:anandamide