Chronic pain is often a symptom of knee osteoarthritis (OA) for which current analgesics are either inadequate or are associated with serious side effects. The endocannabinoid system may offer alternative targets for pain relief. We evaluated the effects of a potent and selective monoacylglycerol (MAG) lipase inhibitor (MJN110) on OA pain behaviour, spinal mechanisms of action and joint histopathology in the rat.
Intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) models OA pain and mimics clinical joint pathology. Effects of MJN110 on MIA-induced weight-bearing asymmetry and lowered paw withdrawal thresholds (PWTs), changes in spinal gene expression and brain levels of relevant lipids were determined.
Acute MJN110 (5 mg·kg
Our data support further assessment of the therapeutic potential of MAG lipase inhibitors for the treatment of OA pain.