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We studied the effects of endocannabinoid anandamide and its cyclooxygenase derivative prostamide E2 on cultured cerebellar granular cells and C6 glioma cells from rats. Prostamide E2 prevented apoptosis in cerebellar neurons induced by potassium deprivation of cultures, while anandamide had no neuroprotective properties. Prostamide E2 did not modulate the survival rate of glioma cells, while anandamide produced a cytotoxic effect. Our results indicate that cyclooxygenase transformation of anandamide is followed by the loss of antitumor activity of this agent. By contrast, prostamide E2 exhibited strong neuroprotective properties.

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