부산대학교 도서관

Using electrophysiological techniques (a patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration and intracellular perfusion of neurons), we studied the effect of cannabinoids on the characteristics of glycine-activated currents in freshly isolated pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus. We found that endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol), as well as a synthetic cannabinoid, WIN 55,212-2, when applied in physiological concentrations, decreased the amplitude of glycine-activated currents. The agents under study accelerated the kinetics of activation and desensitization of glycine-induced Cl.sup.- currents. The characteristics of the currents recovered after washout from cannabinoids. Changes in the kinetics of desensitization of glycine-activated currents depended noticeably on the holding potential at positive potentials the sensitivity to cannabinoids was higher. These effects of cannabinoids were also observed in the presence of antagonists of CB1/CB3 receptors and an inhibitor of G proteins, GDP[beta]S. These data indicate that under our experimental conditions cannabinoids exerted direct effects on glycine receptors.