Involvement of nitric oxide in the gastroprotective effect of ACEA, a selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, on aspirin-induced gastric ulceration.

The involvement of nitric oxide in the gastroprotective effect of ACEA (arachidonyl-2-chloroethylamide), a selective cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, on aspirin-induced gastric ulceration was studied in rats. ACEA (3 mg/kg i.p.) significantly reduced gastric ulcer formation. The gastroprotection of ACEA was attenuated by pretreatment with L-NAME (25 and 50 mg/kg i.p.), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The combination of L-arginine (300 mg/kg i.v.), a precursor of nitric oxide with L-NAME (50 mg/kg i.p.) reversed the protective activity of ACEA (3 mg/kg i.p.). These results suggest that endogenous nitric oxide may be involved in the protective effect of ACEA.