Topic: Anandamide (AEA)

Aim: Determine the effect of Anandamide (AEA) and its endogenous precursor 20:4 NAPE (n-arachidonoyl phosphatidylethanolamine; NAPE) on neuronal excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and pain-like behavior using in vitro and in vivo experiments.Methods: Fluorescence imaging (Fura 2) of calcium changes in cultured DRG neurons with repeated high K+ (30 mM) pulses was used as an in vitro model of neuronal excitability. Intrathecal application of drugs in rats and subsequent measurement of thermal (Hargreaves test) and mechanical sensitivity (Von Frey test) was used to assess nocicept

Aim: Investigate the effect of restraint stress (RRS) and hind paw incisional injury, alone or in combination, on pain-, depression- and anxiety-related behaviour in female rats, and associated alterations in the endocannabinoid system. Methods: Thirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent either RRS (6h/day) or no stress (no-RRS) for 21 days prior to hind paw incision or sham surgery. Mechanical or heat hypersensitivity were assessed using Von Frey or Hargreaves’ tests, respectively. Anxiety- and depression-related behaviours were assessed using open field, elevated plus maze and sucrose s