Effects of agonist of cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system: morphological aspects

BRUSCO ALICIA

Aguas de Lindoia, Brasil

Conferencia; XXIV Reuniáo Anual da Federagáo de Sociedades de BiologíaExperimental - FeSBE; 2009

The expression of CB2 receptors in brain was studied in various experimental animal models. CB2 receptor is expressed in neuronal, astroglial and endothelial cell types in different areas of the mammalian brain. We demonstrated by immunocytochemical studies at light and electron microscopic level, the postsynaptic expression of CB2 receptors in rat and m    ouse brain. We studied the morphological changes produced in neurons and astroglial cells after a chronic treatment in adolescent rats with a daily cannabinoid agonist exposure. Two groups of rats were used, one of them was treated for 14 days with i.p. injections of WIN-55,212-2 (non-selective CB1 and CB2 agonist); the other received vehicle. We found that the expression of the two types of cannabinoid receptors changed after this treatment and  also induced neuronal cytoskeletal changes with ultrastructural alterations at the synaptic contacts which are in accordance with an inhibition of neurotransmitters release