Premium
Effects of COX‐2 inhibition on spinal nociception: the role of endocannabinoids
Author(s) -
Staniaszek LE,
Norris LM,
Kendall DA,
Barrett DA,
Chapman V
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00703.x
Subject(s) - am251 , fatty acid amide hydrolase , nimesulide , anandamide , endocannabinoid system , chemistry , cannabinoid receptor , pharmacology , cannabinoid , nociception , receptor , antagonist , biochemistry , medicine
Recent studies suggest that the effects of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition are mediated by cannabinoid receptor activation. However, some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase, which regulates levels of some endocannabinoids. Whether COX-2 directly regulates levels of endocannabinoids in vivo is unclear. Here, the effect of the COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide, which does not inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase, on spinal nociceptive processing was determined. Effects of nimesulide on tissue levels of endocannabinoids and related compounds were measured and the role of cannabinoid 1 (CB(1)) receptors was determined.