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Review
. 2005:(168):599-625.
doi: 10.1007/3-540-26573-2_20.

Cardiovascular pharmacology of cannabinoids

P Pacher  1 , S Bátkai, G Kunos
Affiliations
Review

Cardiovascular pharmacology of cannabinoids

P Pacher et al. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2005.

Abstract

Cannabinoids and their synthetic and endogenous analogs affect a broad range of physiological functions, including cardiovascular variables, the most important component of their effect being profound hypotension. The mechanisms of the cardiovascular effects of cannabinoids in vivo are complex and may involve modulation of autonomic outflow in both the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as direct effects on the myocardium and vasculature. Although several lines of evidence indicate that the cardiovascular depressive effects of cannabinoids are mediated by peripherally localized CB1 receptors, recent studies provide strong support for the existence of as-yet-undefined endothelial and cardiac receptor(s) that mediate certain endocannabinoid-induced cardiovascular effects. The endogenous cannabinoid system has been recently implicated in the mechanism of hypotension associated with hemorrhagic, endotoxic, and cardiogenic shock, and advanced liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, cannabinoids have been considered as novel antihypertensive agents. A protective role of endocannabinoids in myocardial ischemia has also been documented. In this chapter, we summarize current information on the cardiovascular effects of cannabinoids and highlight the importance of these effects in a variety of pathophysiological conditions.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Hemodynamic effects of anandamide in anesthetized mice. Representative recordings of the effects of anandamide [20 mg/kg i.v., N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine (AEA)] on mean arterial pressure (MAP, top panel), cardiac contractility (left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and dP/dt (dPdt); middle panel) and pressure-volume relations (bottom panel) in a pentobarbital-anesthetized C57BL6 mouse. The five parts of the middle and bottom panels represent baseline conditions (Bl), phase I (I), phase II (II), and phase III (III) of the anandamide response, and recovery 10 min following the injection. The arrow indicates the injection of the drug. The decrease of the amplitude of PV loops and shift to the right indicate decrease of cardiac contractile performance
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Hemodynamic effects of HU-210 in anesthetized rat. Representative recordings of the effects of HU-210 (30 μg/kg i.v.) on mean arterial pressure (MAP, top panel), cardiac contractility (LVSP and dP/dt; middle panel), and pressure-volume (PV) relations (bottom panel) in a pentobarbital-anesthetized rat. The arrow indicates the injection of the drug. The decrease of the amplitude of PV loops and their shift to the right are indicative of decreased cardiac contractile performance
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