Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology
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Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. · Nov 2012
CB1 and CB2 contribute to antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of electroacupuncture on experimental arthritis of the rat temporomandibular joint.
Electroacupuncture (EA) and cannabinoids have been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in animal models of arthritis. Male Wistar rats were injected with saline or zymosan (2 mg) into the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). EA (10 Hz, 30 min) was performed 2 h after or 1 h before zymosan administration. ⋯ We observed downregulation of CB₂ receptor gene expression in the EA group at the 24th hour compared with the 6th hour. Higher CB₁ receptor gene expression was also found compared with the 6th hour. EA produced antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, and these effects appeared to be mediated through CB₁ and CB₂ receptor activation.