Anandamide vehicles: a comparative study

Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Nov 28;505(1-3):151-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.10.017.

Abstract

Among the studies that investigate the vasorelaxation induced by anandamide, one of the most frequent differences is the use of distinct solvents that could modify vascular function and explain the controversial results described. The aims of this study were: to evaluate the influence of different cannabinoid vehicles in vascular function of rat aorta, and to compare the vasorelaxation induced by anandamide dissolved in different vehicles. Vehicles were: ethanol (70%), Tween 80/ethanol (2:1 and 1:1), 1:1:18 (Tween 80/ethanol/saline) and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) 0.5%. All the vehicles tested, except DMSO 0.5%, modified the vascular and/or the endothelial function in rat aorta rings. Anandamide caused a time- and concentration-dependent vasorelaxation in all the experimental groups except in ethanol group, but the mechanisms involved in its vasorelaxation appear to be different depending on the vehicle used. The results obtained with vehicles containing Tween 80 suggest a non-endothelial component in the vasorelaxation caused by anandamide, while those obtained with DMSO at 0.5% suggest an endothelial component in this vasorelaxation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta, Thoracic / drug effects
  • Aorta, Thoracic / physiology
  • Arachidonic Acids / chemistry
  • Arachidonic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Carbachol / pharmacology
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / chemistry
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Ethanol / chemistry
  • Ethanol / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Phenylephrine / pharmacology
  • Polysorbates / chemistry
  • Polysorbates / pharmacology
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Solvents / pharmacology*
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / pharmacology
  • Vasodilation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Arachidonic Acids
  • Endocannabinoids
  • Polysorbates
  • Polyunsaturated Alkamides
  • Solvents
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Phenylephrine
  • Ethanol
  • Carbachol
  • anandamide
  • Dimethyl Sulfoxide