Cannabinoid receptors in animal models of acute, tonic and chronic pain

The aim of the work presented here is to evaluate the effects of cannabinoids in three animal models of pain: acute, tonic and chronic. The tail flick test (acute pain) was used to test the effect of the cannabinoid agonist, WIN 55,212--2, on tail withdrawal latency from a noxious radiant heat source. It was also tested on the allodynia induced by either endogenous release or exogenous administration of substance P. WIN 55,212--2 was antinociceptive in this test, and blocked the substance P-induced allodynia, suggesting a post-synaptic site of action. The formalin test (tonic pain) was used to test the effects of the endogenous cannabinoid agonist, anandamide and the cannabinoid receptor antagonist AM 281. Anandamide was antinociceptive (with a short duration of action), and AM 281 was pronociceptive. When administered concomitantly, AM 281 blocked the effects of anandamide. When given alone and in the absence of a noxious stimulus, AM 281 was without effect. (Abstract shortened by UMI.