Cartillage and cannabinoids

Protection of cartilage

British researchers reported that certain cannabinoids inhibited the production of nitric oxide in cartilage cells and the degradation of proteoglycan. Proteoglycan plays an important role in the functioning of cartilage. The authors conclude that some cannabinoids may protect cartilage and prevent cartilage resorption.

In addition to their well characterized psychotic effects, cannabinoids demonstrate analgesic, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties and have been observed to reduce joint damage in animal models of arthritis. We are interested in determining whether cannabinoids have any direct action on chondrocytes, which may be chondroprotective and account for some of their observed anti-arthritic effects. Our studies have shown inhibition of cytokine-stimulated nitric oxide production by cannabinoids R-(+)-win 55, 212-2 (win-55) and HU210 and inhibition of cytokine-stimulated cartilage proteoglycan and collagen breakdown.



(Source: Mbvundula EC, et al. Biochem Pharmacol 2005;69(4):635-40.)


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-Xero
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