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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Intravital Microscopy and Thrombus Induction in the Earlobe of a Hairless Mouse
Published on: April 2, 2017
Cannabidiol reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular changes and inflammation in the mouse brain: an intravital
Lourdes Ruiz-Valdepeñas1, José A Martínez-Orgado, Cristina Benito
1Laboratorio de Apoyo a la Investigación, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativa, Alcorcón, 28922, Madrid, Spain.
Background:
The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) exhibits antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. The present study was designed to explore its effects in a mouse model of sepsis-related encephalitis by intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Methods:
Vascular responses of pial vessels were analyzed by intravital microscopy and inflammatory parameters measured by qRT-PCR.
Results:
CBD prevented LPS-induced arteriolar and venular vasodilation as well as leukocyte margination. In addition, CBD abolished LPS-induced increases in tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cyclooxygenase-2 expression as measured by quantitative real time PCR. The expression of the inducible-nitric oxide synthase was also reduced by CBD. Finally, preservation of Blood Brain Barrier integrity was also associated to the treatment with CBD.
Conclusions:
These data highlight the antiinflammatory and vascular-stabilizing effects of CBD in endotoxic shock and suggest a possible beneficial effect of this natural cannabinoid.
