Influence of serum and albumin on the in vitro anandamide cytotoxicity toward C6 glioma cells assessed by the MTT cell viability assay: implications for the methodology of the MTT tests.

Anandamide (AEA), an endogenous ligand of cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors, which also binds transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 receptor (TRPV1), has been shown to display substantial selective cytotoxicity toward some cancer cell lines in vitro, although the relevant data are not consistent. In the present study, we employed the MTT test to assess short-term cytotoxicity of AEA on C6 rat glioma cell culture. When anandamide was administered to the culture medium with foetal bovine serum (FBS), no cytotoxic effect was observed following 24 h exposure of the glioma cells to micromolar concentrations of AEA.

Anandamide enhances expression of heat shock proteins Hsp70 and Hsp25 in rat lungs.

Anandamide (AEA), an endogenous cannabinoid and vanilloid receptor ligand, possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Transport of AEA through cytoplasm is facilitated by heat shock protein (HSP) Hsp70, which enhances the rate of cellular AEA uptake, possibly via direct interactions. In lungs, increased HSP expression is an endogenous, protective mechanism against acute lung inflammation.

Midcervical vagotomy precludes respiratory response to novel anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour drug arvanil in rats.

Arvanil is a metabolically stable hybrid between anandamide and capsaicin. The present study was designed to test the role of the vagal pathway in post-arvanil respiratory and blood pressure responses. Respiratory and pressure changes evoked by an intravenous injection of arvanil were investigated in 21 urethane-chloralose anaesthetised and spontaneously breathing rats.

Role of VR1 and CB1 receptors in modelling of cardio-respiratory response to arvanil, an endocannabinoid and vanilloid hybrid, in rats.

Cardio-respiratory effects of an intravenous injection of arvanil, a structural "hybrid" between capsaicin and anandamide, were investigated in 40 urethane-chloralose anaesthetized and spontaneously breathing rats. In the group of rats the response to arvanil was checked to establish the appropriate dose of the drug. To analyze the pattern of the cardio-respiratory effects rats were challenged with bolus injection of arvanil (0.

The contribution of VR1 and CB1 receptors and the role of the afferent vagal pathway in modelling of cardio-respiratory effects of anandamide in rats.

Anaesthetized and spontaneously breathing rats were used to study the cardio-respiratory effects of intravenous anandamide administration. To investigate the role of particular levels of the afferent pathway in this response rats were challenged with bolus injection of anandamide (1 mg kg(-1)) into the femoral vein while intact, following bilateral superior laryngeal nerves (SLNs) section and after midcervical vagotomy. To test the hypothesis that the activation of the vanilloid receptors (VR1) as well as cannabinoid receptors (CB1) contributes to the anandamide-induced response administrations of anandamide were preceded by nonselective VR1 antagonist ruthenium red or selective CB1 antagonist AM281.

Supranodose vagotomy eliminates anandamide-evoked cardiorespiratory depression in anaesthetized rats.

Respiratory effects of an intravenous injection of anandamide were investigated in 19 urethane-chloralose anaesthetised and spontaneously breathing rats. In 10 neurally intact rats the effects of anandamide were checked to establish appropriate dose of the drug. In the second group, nine rats were challenged with anandamide while intact, following bilateral midcervical vagotomy and after subsequent supranodose vagotomy.

5HT2 and 5HT3 receptors' contribution to modeling of post-serotonin respiratory pattern in cats.

Cardio-respiratory reflex effects of an exogenous serotonin challenge are suggested to be modulated by activation of the peripheral 5HT2 and 5HT3 receptors. In the present experiments the blocking effects of serotoninergic active drugs: ketanserin and tropanserin (MDL 72222) were studied in six pentobarbitone-chloralose anaesthetized cats. Bolus injection of serotonin (0.

Supranodose vagotomy precludes reflex respiratory responses to serotonin in cats.

Mediation of the respiratory reflex effects of an exogenous serotonin challenge goes beyond the lung vagi and is suggested to involve the nodose ganglia. In the present experiments the effects of an intravenous serotonin challenge on breathing pattern were studied in 8 pentobarbitone-chloralose anaesthetised cats. Bolus injection of serotonin oxalate (50 microg/kg) into the right femoral vein evoked prompt apnoea of 19.