Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Improved understanding of brain mechanisms regulating endogenous analgesia is important from a fundamental physiological perspective and for identification of novel therapeutic strategies for pain. The endocannabinoid system plays a key role in stress-induced analgesia, including fear-conditioned analgesia (FCA), a potent form of endogenous analgesia. Here, we studied the role of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC; a brain region implicated in the affective component of pain) in FCA in rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: FCA was modelled in male Lister-hooded rats by assessing formalin-evoked nociceptive behaviour in an arena previously paired with footshock. The effects of intra-ACC administration of MJN110 (inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase [MGL], the primary enzyme catabolizing 2-AG), AM630 (CB(2) receptor antagonist), AM251 (CB(1) receptor antagonist) or MJN110 + AM630 on FCA were assessed. KEY RESULTS: MJN110 attenuated FCA when microinjected into the ACC, an effect associated with increased levels of 2-AG in the ACC. This effect of MJN110 on FCA was unaltered by co-administration of AM251 but was blocked by AM630, which alone reduced nociceptive behaviour in non-fear-conditioned rats. RT-qPCR confirmed that mRNA encoding CB(1) and CB(2) receptors was detectable in the ACC of formalin-injected rats and unchanged in those expressing FCA. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest that an MGL substrate in the ACC, likely 2-AG, modulates FCA and that within the ACC, 2-AG-CB(2) receptor signalling may suppress this form of endogenous analgesia. These results may facilitate increased understanding and improved treatment of pain- and fear-related disorders and their co-morbidity.