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Descending serotonergic and noradrenergic systems do not regulate the antipruritic effects of cannabinoids*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2016

Zeynep Gizem Todurga ,
Ozgur Gunduz ,
Cetin Hakan Karadag  and
Ahmet Ulugol
Zeynep Gizem Todurga
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, 22030-Edirne, Turkey
Ozgur Gunduz
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, 22030-Edirne, Turkey
Cetin Hakan Karadag
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, 22030-Edirne, Turkey
Ahmet Ulugol*
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, 22030-Edirne, Turkey
*
Prof. Ahmet Ulugol, MD, Department of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey. Tel:+90 284 235 3925; Fax: +90 284 235 3925; E-mail: aulugol@trakya.edu.tr; aulugol@yahoo.com
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Abstract

Background

For centuries, cannabinoids have been known to be effective in pain states. Itch and pain are two sensations sharing a lot in common.

Objective

The goal of this research was to observe whether the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 reduces serotonin-induced scratching behaviour and whether neurotoxic destruction of descending serotonergic and noradrenergic pathways mediate the antipruritic effect of WIN 55,212-2.

Material and methods

Scratching behaviour was induced by intradermal injection of serotonin (50 µg/50 µl/mouse) to Balb/c mice. The neurotoxins 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, 50 μg/mouse) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA, 20 μg/mouse) are applied intrathecally to deplete serotonin and noradrenaline in the spinal cord. WIN 55,212-2 (1, 3, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently attenuated serotonin-induced scratches. Neurotoxic destruction of neither the serotonergic nor the noradrenergic systems by 5,7-DHT and 6-OHDA, respectively, had any effect on the antipruritic action of WIN 55,212-2.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that cannabinoids dose-dependently reduce serotonin-induced scratching behaviour and neurotoxic destruction of descending inhibitory pathways does not mediate this antipruritic effect.

Keywords

cannabinoid systemdescending inhibitionWIN 55,212-2pruritus
Type
Original Articles
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 28 , Issue 6 , December 2016 , pp. 321 - 326
Copyright
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2016 

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Footnotes

*

Submitted to ‘8th World Congress of the World Institute of Pain (WIP)’, New York, USA, 20–23 May 2016.

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