Characterization of the peripheral FAAH inhibitor, URB937, in animal models of acute and chronic migraine
Laboratory studyOther animalsWith URB937 (a FAAH inhibitor that raises endogenous PEA and anandamide, tested alone)
This study tested palmitoylethanolamide together with URB937 (a FAAH inhibitor that raises endogenous PEA and anandamide, tested alone). Its results cannot be assigned to palmitoylethanolamide alone. More combination studies.
- Design
- Laboratory study
- Subjects
- Rats given single or repeated nitroglycerin to model acute and chronic migraine (numbers not stated in the abstract)
- Dose used in the study
- URB937 by injection, given before or after nitroglycerin; dose not stated in the abstract
- Duration
- Not stated in the abstract
- What was measured
- Nocifensive behaviour in the orofacial formalin test; mRNA for neuropeptides (CGRP, substance P) and cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6) in trigeminal ganglia and medulla; tissue anandamide and palmitoylethanolamide levels; effect of CB1 and CB2 antagonists.
What the authors reported
This laboratory study found:
- In the acute model, URB937 reduced hyperalgesia whether given before or after nitroglycerin, raised anandamide and PEA in neural tissue, and lowered CGRP, substance P, TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA.
- This effect depended on CB1 receptor activation.
- In the chronic model, URB937 also countered trigeminal hyperalgesia and prevented the rise in neuropeptide and cytokine transcription.
Limits of this study
A rat model of migraine; it cannot show effect in people. PEA was not given; its tissue level was measured as a marker. Funding and conflicts not stated in the abstract.
Source
PubMed 33129939 · doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105157
Entry checked against the abstract on PubMed on 2026-09-22. The dose shown is the dose the researchers used. It is not a recommendation. How to read this page.