Targetting CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor For Neuroprotetion In Spinal Cord Injury

[Truth Seeker]

Endogenous cannabinoids expression has been shown to increase following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injuries (SCI). Post-TBI treatment with endocannabinoid has been reported to produce lesser disruption of blood brain barrier, and resulted in better clinical recovery in a mouse TBI model. However, to date no report is available regarding the use of synthetic CB1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) agonist in enhancing post-SCI functional recovery. In the current study we tested the efficacy of CB1R agonists for neuroprotection following SCI in mice. We hypothesized that post-SCI pharmacologic activation of CB1R will produce neuroprotective effects for axonal damage and will result in a better recovery. Our results show that post-SCI treatment with CB1R agonists in mice decreased matrix metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9) activity following spinal cord injury, and ameliorate the disruption of blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB). We have also shown that post-SCI treatment with CB1R agonists improve both functional and histological outcome. Together these results raise the possibility that CB1R can be used as therapeutic target for spinal cord injury.

Source: Targetting CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor for Neuroprotetion in Spinal Cord Injury -- Mukhopadhyay and Sheng 25 (1): lb422 -- The FASEB Journal