title: Neuroprotective and blood-retinal barrier-preserving effects of cannabidiol in experimental diabetes.
abstract: Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown and neurotoxicity. These pathologies have been associated with oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines, which may operate by activating their downstream target p38 MAP kinase. In the present study, the protective effects of a nonpsychotropic cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD), were examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after 1, 2, or 4 weeks. Retinal cell death was determined by terminal dUTP nick-end labeling assay; BRB function by quantifying extravasation of bovine serum albumin-fluorescein; and oxidative stress by assays for lipid peroxidation, dichlorofluorescein fluorescence, and tyrosine nitration. Experimental diabetes induced significant increases in oxidative stress, retinal neuronal cell death, and vascular permeability. These effects were associated with increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and activation of p38 MAP kinase, as assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, and/or Western blot. CBD treatment significantly reduced oxidative stress; decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1; and prevented retinal cell death and vascular hyperpermeability in the diabetic retina. Consistent with these effects, CBD treatment also significantly inhibited p38 MAP kinase in the diabetic retina. These results demonstrate that CBD treatment reduces neurotoxicity, inflammation, and BRB breakdown in diabetic animals through activities that may involve inhibition of p38 MAP kinase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, 1120 15th St., Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Azza B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: El-Remessy
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Shabrawey
authors.forename: Yousuf
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Khalifa
authors.forename: Nai-Tse
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Ruth B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: Gregory I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Liou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001813:Blood-Retinal Barrier / Q000187:drug effects*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002185:Cannabidiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D002185:Cannabidiol; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases