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Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
 170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The classical cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 as well as the cannabinoid-sensitive receptor GPR55 are widely distributed throughout the mammalian body. In the cardiovascular field, CB1 and CB2 crucially impact on diseases characterized by inflammatory processes, such as atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction. Both receptors and their endogenous ligands anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol are up-regulated in the ischaemic heart in humans and animal models. Pharmacological and genetic interventions with CB1 and CB2 vitally affect acute ischaemia-induced cardiac inflammation. Herein, CB1 rather aggravates the inflammatory response whereas CB2 mitigates inflammation via directly affecting immune cell attraction, macrophage polarization and lymphocyte clusters in the pericardial adipose tissue. Furthermore, cannabinoids and their receptors affect numerous cardiac risk factors. In this context, cannabis consumption is debated to trigger arrhythmias and even myocardial infarction. Moreover, CB1 activation is linked to impaired lipid and glucose metabolism and therefore obesity and diabetes, while its antagonism leads to the reduction of plasma triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, leptin, insulin and glucose. On the other hand, activation of cannabinoid-sensitive receptors can also counteract unfavourable predictors for cardiovascular diseases. In particular, hypertension can be mitigated via CB1 agonism and impaired adrenoceptor responsiveness prevented by functional GPR55. Taken together, current insights identify the cannabinoid system as promising target not only to therapeutically interfere with the vasculature, but also to affect the heart as target organ. This review discusses current knowledge regarding a direct cardiac role of the cannabinoid system and points out its feasible therapeutic manipulation in the ischaemic myocardium.
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PMID:Cannabinoid-sensitive receptors in cardiac physiology and ischaemia. 3089 Apr 10

The societal burden of ischemic stroke suggests a need for additional therapeutic categories in stroke prevention. Modulation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a rational target for stroke prevention because of its effects on inflammation, vascular tone, and metabolic balance, all well-described stroke risk factors. In this article, we summarize the existing ECS clinical studies in human subjects' research as they relate to conventional vascular risk factors associated with ischemic stroke. To date, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) derivative endocannabinoids are consistently reported to be elevated in insulin resistance, whereas the N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) endocannabinoid derivatives are elevated in obesity. The ECS role in metabolic health should examine the effects of 2-AG reduction and AEA augmentation as a means of stroke risk reduction. Cannabinoid receptors are reported on macrophages within atherosclerotic plaques and suggest a role for immunomodulation as a therapeutic for atherosclerosis through both peripheral immune cell CB1 antagonism and/or CB2 agonist. The effects of ECS on hypertension, smoking, physical activity, obstructive sleep apnea, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation are incompletely described and deserve further study. A limitation to ECS research is significant overlap with noncannabinoid molecular targets. Further exploration of the ECS needs to include the larger metabolomics context for a greater understanding of its therapeutic potential. Clinical translational studies in stroke prevention should be directed at ECS in metabolic balance and atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Endocannabinoids and Stroke Prevention: Review of Clinical Studies. 3232 72


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