Ulcerative colitis in AKR mice is attenuated by intraperitoneally administered anandamide.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties of endocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoid compounds were described previously. We studied effects of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (N-arachidonylethanolamine) in experimental colitis induced by TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid) in AKR mice. A scoring system was used to describe clinical and macroscopic changes. Intraperitoneally administered anandamide significantly reduced experimental colitis, quantified by macroscopical and histological scoring systems as well as pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression. We conclude that systemically administered anandamide attenuates TNBS colitis in mice, and that systemically active cannabinoid compounds might have therapeutic potential for the treatment of IBD.
Engel
M A
MA
First Department of Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. Matthias.Engel@uk-erlangen.de
Kellermann
C A
CA
Rau
T
T
Burnat
G
G
Hahn
E G
EG
Konturek
P C
PC
D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D051379:Mice; D008806:Mice, Inbred AKR; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D016207:Cytokines; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014302:Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid; C078814:anandamide