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Two distinctive antinociceptive systems in rats with pathological pain
by
Mao J, Price DD, Lu J, Keniston L, Mayer DJ
ABSTRACT
A common obstacle in clinical management of pathological
pain is the poor response to opioid analgesics. We now report that delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(delta9-THC)-induced antinociception remained effective in rats with pathological
pain. The selective central cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A, but
not the generic opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, blocked the delta9-THC
antinociception. Moreover, there is no cross-tolerance between the antinociceptive
effects of morphine and delta9-THC in pathological pain states. The results
indicate that delta9-THC antinociception is both effective and independent
of opioid receptors in rats with pathological pain. Thus, the cannabinoid
analgesic system may be superior to opioids in alleviating intractable pathological
pain syndromes.
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