Increased expression of cannabinoid CB₁ receptors in Achilles tendinosis

The endogenous cannabinoid system is involved in the control of pain. However, little is known as to the integrity of the cannabinoid system in human pain syndromes. Here we investigate the expression of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB₁) in human Achilles tendons from healthy volunteers and from pati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2011-09, Vol.6 (9), p.e24731-e24731
Main Authors: Björklund, Emmelie, Forsgren, Sture, Alfredson, Håkan, Fowler, Christopher J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Achilles Tendon - metabolism
Adult
Age
Aged
Biology
Biopsy
Bladder
Blood vessels
Cannabinoid CB1 receptors
Cytokines
Endocannabinoid system
Ethics
Females
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Gene expression
Humans
Hypotheses
Immunoreactivity
In Vitro Techniques
Laboratories
Males
Medicine
Middle Aged
Motility
Nervous system
Neurosciences
NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Pain
Perineurium
Pharmacology
Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 - metabolism
Receptors
Review boards
Tendinopathy - metabolism
Tendons
Ultrasonic imaging
Young Adult
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Summary:The endogenous cannabinoid system is involved in the control of pain. However, little is known as to the integrity of the cannabinoid system in human pain syndromes. Here we investigate the expression of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB₁) in human Achilles tendons from healthy volunteers and from patients with Achilles tendinosis. Cannabinoid CB₁ receptor immunoreactivity (CB₁IR) was evaluated in formalin-fixed biopsies from individuals suffering from painful Achilles tendinosis in comparison with healthy human Achilles tendons. CB₁IR was seen as a granular pattern in the tenocytes. CB₁IR was also observed in the blood vessel wall and in the perineurium of the nerve. Quantification of the immunoreactivity in tenocytes showed an increase of CB₁ receptor expression in tendinosis tissue compared to control tissue. Expression of cannabinoid receptor 1 is increased in human Achilles tendinosis suggesting that the cannabinoid system may be dysregulated in this disorder.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0024731