Marijuana-derived Drug Suppresses Bladder Overactivity And Irritation In Animal Models

IP 751 is a potent anti-inflammatory and a powerful analgesic, although the mechanisms by which it works are unknown.

For the study, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School ofMedicine injected IP 751 into rat models of acute and subacute bladderinflammation. IP 751 significantly suppressed bladder overactivity inboth animal models without affecting bladder contractility. By doingthis, IP 751 can ease bladder pain. By stopping the underlying cause ofirritation - overactivity of the bladder - IP 751 is able to eliminatethe associated pain.

"Interstitial cystitis is a difficult disease to treat, and not alltreatments work well on all patients," said Michael Chancellor, M.D.,professor of urology at the University of Pittsburgh School ofMedicine. "Any new option we can give our patients to alleviate theirpainful symptoms is very exciting."

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive andKidney Diseases, 700,000 Americans have IC; 90 percent are women. IC isone of the chronic pelvic pain disorders, defined by recurringdiscomfort or pain in the bladder and surrounding pelvic region.Symptoms vary and can include any combination of mild to severe pain,pressure and tenderness in the bladder and pelvic area; and an urgentand/or frequent need to urinate. In IC, the bladder wall may becomescarred or irritated, and pinpoint bleeding may appear on the bladderwall.

The study was sponsored by IndevusPharmaceuticals, Inc. IP 751 is currently being developed by Indevusfor specialty disease states, including interstitial cystitis, withadditional applications in the treatment of pain and inflammation.Indevus Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in theacquisition, development and commercialization of products targetingcertain medical specialty areas, including urology and gynecology.Results are published in abstract 25.