Antioxidant properties of the vasoactive endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG)

M. Spatz*, R. M. McCarron, E. Shohami, D. Panikashvili, Y. Chen, S. Golcch, A. Strasser, R. Mechoulam

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were shown to play a role in altering blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and formation of brain edema induced by trauma and/or ischemia. 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), a novel, potent vasodilatory and cytoprotective endocannabinoid has been implicated to act as an antioxidative agent. This study examines: 1 the possible 2-AG modulation of BBB injury and edema formation induced by closed head injury (CHI); and 2 comparable effects between 2-AG and 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6- tetramethylpiperidine-N- oxyl (TPL), a known antioxidant nitroxide on endothelial Ca2+ and cytoskeletal responses to H2O2 (ROS). 2- AG treatment reduced the CHI-induced increase in BBB permeability and brain edema. The endothelial H2O2-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization and cytoskeleton (vimentin) rearrangement was modified by either 2-AG or TPL. These findings provide evidence of 2-AG antioxidant activity and are consistent with the involvement of ROS in the pathomechanism of CHI-induced BBB injury and brain edema.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)271-275
Number of pages5
JournalActa Neurochirurgica, Supplementum
Issue number86
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003

Keywords

  • 2-arachidonoyl glycerol
  • Brain endothelium
  • Cerebral blood flow
  • Endothelin-1
  • HO
  • Ischemia
  • Reperfusion

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