May 2007
Volume 48, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2007
Neuroprotective Effect of Cannabidiol in Endotoxin-Induced Retinal Inflammation
G. I. Liou; Y. Tang; E. Hanson; S. Matragoon; E. K. Liu; S. Mian; G. Zhu; Y. Khalifa; R. B. Caldwell; A. B. El-Remessy
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • G. I. Liou
    Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
    Department of Ophthalmology,
  • Y. Tang
    Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
  • E. Hanson
    Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
    School of Graduate Studies,
  • S. Matragoon
    Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
  • E. K. Liu
    Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
    School of Medicine,
  • S. Mian
    Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
    School of Medicine,
  • G. Zhu
    Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
    Ophthalmology,
  • Y. Khalifa
    Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
    Department of Ophthalmology,
  • R. B. Caldwell
    Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
    Vascular Biology Center,
  • A. B. El-Remessy
    Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships G.I. Liou, None; Y. Tang, None; E. Hanson, None; S. Matragoon, None; E.K. Liu, None; S. Mian, None; G. Zhu, None; Y. Khalifa, None; R.B. Caldwell, None; A.B. El-Remessy, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, NIH Grants EY04618 and EY11766
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2007, Vol.48, 4954. doi:
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      G. I. Liou, Y. Tang, E. Hanson, S. Matragoon, E. K. Liu, S. Mian, G. Zhu, Y. Khalifa, R. B. Caldwell, A. B. El-Remessy; Neuroprotective Effect of Cannabidiol in Endotoxin-Induced Retinal Inflammation. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2007;48(13):4954.

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Abstract

Purpose:: Degenerative retinal diseases such as uveitis, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy involve activated microglia and inflammation. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, has been shown to reduce retinal inflammation and degeneration in an animal model of diabetes. However, the molecular mechanism involved in retinal inflammation and how CBD reduces retinal inflammation and degeneration are not clear. This study is undertaken to test the hypothesis that retinal inflammation and degeneration result from oxidative stress and activation of p38 MAPK, and that CBD reduces retinal inflammation and degeneration by blocking these events.

Methods:: Uveitis was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Microglial cells isolated from retinas of newborn rats were cultured. Activation of p38 MAPK and caspase-3 was determined by Western analysis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assayed with 2,7-dichloro-fluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) and chemiluminescence. TNF-alpha was determined by ELISA. Cell death was determined by TUNEL and caspase-3 activation analyses.

Results:: LPS treatment of rats at 350 microgram/Kg resulted in significant increase in apoptosis in the inner retina, increased levels of ROS, and activation of p38 MAPK. CBD at 5 microgram/Kg blocked these effects. Upon LPS treatment of microglia at 30 ng/ml, ROS were detected within15 min and p38 MAPK activation occurred within 30-60 min. Increases in NO and TNF-alpha formation were detected after 4 hours. CBD at 1 microgram/ml blocked each of these effects and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 at 10 microMolar partially blocked TNF-alpha formation.

Conclusions:: These results suggest that retinal inflammation and degeneration are caused by oxidative stress and activation of p38 MAPK, and that CBD is anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective by inhibiting these events.

Keywords: microglia • oxidation/oxidative or free radical damage • inflammation 
© 2007, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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