Expression of cannabinoid CB1 receptors in models of diabetic neuropathy

Fan Zhang, Shuangsong Hong, Vicki Stone, Paula J W Smith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

A clearer understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of diabetic neuropathy is likely to indicate new directions for the treatment of this complication of diabetes. In the present study we investigated the expression of cannabinoid CB(1) receptors in models of diabetic neuropathy. PC12 cells were differentiated into a neuronal phenotype with nerve growth factor (NGF) (50 ng/ml) in varying concentrations of glucose (5.5-50 mM). CB(1) receptor expression was studied at the mRNA level by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and at the protein level via immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis. CB(1) expression was also compared in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) removed from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats versus control animals. Total neurite length induced by NGF was reduced in cells cultured in 20 to 50 mM glucose at day 6 (P <0.01 versus 5.5 mM; n = 6). Cell viability assays conducted in parallel on day 6 confirmed that the total cell numbers were not significantly different among the various glucose concentrations (P = 0.86; n = 12). RT-PCR, immunohistochemical, and Western blot analysis all revealed down-regulation of the CB(1) receptor in cells treated with high glucose (P <0.05; n = 4-5 for each), and in DRG removed from diabetic rats compared with controls (P <0.01; n = 5 for immunohistochemistry, and n = 3 for Western blot). These results suggest that high glucose concentrations are associated with decreased expression of CB(1) receptors in nerve cells. Given the neuroprotective effect of cannabinoids, a decline in CB(1) receptor expression may contribute to the neurodegenerative process observed in diabetes.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)508-515
Number of pages8
JournalThe Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Volume323
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • PROTEIN-KINASE-C
  • PRIMARY SENSORY NEURONS
  • VANILLOID VR1 RECEPTOR
  • MESSENGER-RNA
  • ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM
  • DIFFERENTIAL CHANGES
  • HUNTINGTONS-DISEASE
  • RAT
  • ANANDAMIDE
  • CELLS

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