Title
Evidence against Cannabinoid Receptor Involvement in Intraocular Pressure Effects of Cannabinoids in Rabbits
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1997
Abstract
Cannabinoid receptor involvement in the intraocular-pressure (IOP)-lowering effect of the cannabinoids has not been determined. These receptors bind four structural classes of agonists: the classical and the nonclassical cannabinoids, the aminoal-kylindoles and the arachidonylethanolamides (the endogenous ligands). We examined the IOP effect in normotensive rabbits after systemic administration of an aminoalkylindole, WIN-55,212-2, and of (R)-(+)-methanandamide, a hydrolysis-resistant endogenous ligand derivative. The decrease in IOP for 6 animals treated with WIN-55,212-2 was marginal and for 6 animals treated with (R)-(+)-methanandamide was negligible compared to animals treated with vehicle alone. These studies suggest that the IOP-lowering effects of cannabinoids are not mediated by a cannabinoid receptor in rabbits.