Neuroprotective role of canabidiol after sciatic nerve transection in neonatal rats

Author(s)

Matheus Perez

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2013-02-19

Examining board members

Alexandre Leite Rodrigues de Oliveira; Francisco Silveira Guimarães; Cláudia Vianna Maurer Morelli

• Advisor: Alexandre Leite Rodrigues de Oliveira

Abstract

The CNS is very sensitive to injury and their regenerative capacity is limited, so in most cases the tissue repair does not occur or occurs incompletely, leading to irreversible damage. Although the nervous system of neonatal rats presents a greater regenerative capacity than adults, the regenerative process is still complex and limited. To better understand the mechanisms and limitations of CNS regeneration, both in the neonatal and adulthood, various injury models have been proposed by several authors, including peripheral nerve transaction. Through these experimental studies several therapeutic modalities have been proposed, in order to prevent the neuronal death caused by injuries and pathological processes. For this reason, many substances with neuroprotective properties have been tested in the regeneration process, synaptic plasticity and to prevent neuronal death after nervous system injury. Among the wide variety of substances with potential neuroprotective action, some are derived from the Cannabis sativa. One, cannabidiol (CBD) is the major non-psychotropic component produced by the glands found on the surface of plant leaves. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective potential of CBD. We used Wistar neonatal rats that were divided into the following experimental groups: sciatic nerve axotomy and CBD treatment (CBD group), axotomy and veículo treatment (PB group) and a control group, without treatment (no-treatment group). Thus, Nissl stainning in spinal cord cross sections showed that the CBD groups (15 e 30mg/kg) had a higher neuronal survival (21%, p <0,0001) when compared to the CBD 5mg/kg group, PLB and no treatment groups. Immunohistochemical analysis, done by ipsi/contralateral ratio of integrated density of pixels quantification, of anti-synaptophysin labeling showed that CBD groups had a greater immunostaining pattern when compared to the other experimental groups (30%, p<0,0003) reflecting a higher preservation of synapses after CBD treatment. Imunolabeling Anti-GFAP and anti-Iba 1 revealed a lower immunostaining in CBD group, showing that CBD treatment decreases the astrocytosis process in 30% (p = 0,0149) and reduce reactive microgliosis in 27% (p=0,0086), when compared to the others experimental groups. Aimed to detect apoptotic cells, we used TUNEL reaction. Quantitative analysis showed that the CBD treatment reduced the apoptotic nuclei detectable, when compared to other experimental groups. These results show that CBD presents promising neuroprotective property and should be better investigated aiming its future clinical use (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/03014-7 - Neuroprotective role of canabidiol after sciatic nerve transection in neonatal rats
• Grantee: Matheus Perez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master