Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor Activation Decreases Cerebral Infarction in a Mouse Focal Ischemia/Reperfusion Model

Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor (CB2) activation has been shown to have immunomodulatory properties without psychotropic effects. The hypothesis of this study is that selective CB2 agonist treatment can attenuate cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Selective CB2 agonists (O-3853, O-1966) were administered intravenously 1 h before transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) or 10 mins after reperfusion in male mice. Leukocyte/endothelial interactions were evaluated before MCAO, 1 h after MCAO, and 24 h after MCAO via a closed cranial window. Cerebral infarct volume and motor function were determined 24 h after MCAO. Administration of the selective CB2 agonists significantly decreased cerebral infarction (30%) and improved motor function (P < 0.05) after 1 h MCAO followed by 23 h reperfusion in mice. Transient ischemia in untreated animals was associated with a significant increase in leukocyte rolling and adhesion on both venules and arterioles (P < 0.05), whereas the enhanced rolling and adhesion were attenuated by both selective CB2 agonists administered either at 1 h before or after MCAO (P < 0.05). CB2 activation is associated with a reduction in white blood cell rolling and adhesion along cerebral vascular endothelial cells, a reduction in infarct size, and improved motor function after transient focal ischemia.