Cannabinoid‐induced reduction in antral pacemaker frequency: a telemetric study in the ferret

Background The gastric myoelectric activity (GMA) is the electrical pacesetter potential, which drives gastric motility. Cannabinoids have broad‐spectrum antiemetic and antinauseant activity. Paradoxically, they inhibit intestinal peristalsis and reduce gastric motility but their effect on GMA remains unknown. Methods Ferrets were surgically implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters to record GMA, body temperature and heart rate. The effect of WIN 55,212–2 (1 mg kg−1, i.p.), an agonist at the cannabinoid type 1 and 2 receptors was examined in conscious, unrestrained ferrets. WIN 55,212–2 was also compared to the anandamide upregulator URB 597 (5 mg kg−1, i.p.) for a potential to modulate the emetic response and behavioral changes induced by apomorphine (0.25 mg kg−1, s.c.). Key Results WIN 55,212–2 decreased GMA frequency (8.1 ± 0.4 cpm, compared to 9.6 ± 0.1 cpm in vehicle‐treated animals, n = 6, P