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Ischemic heart disease, associated with high morbidity and mortality, represents a major challenge for the development of drug-based strategies to improve its prognosis. Results of pre-clinical studies suggest that agonists of cannabinoid CB2 receptors and multitarget cannabidiol might be potential cardioprotective strategies against ischemia-reperfusion injury. The aim of our study was to reevaluate the cardioprotective effects of cannabinoids against ischemiareperfusion injury according to the IMproving Preclinical Assessment of Cardioprotective Therapies (IMPACT) criteria published recently by the European Union (EU) CARDIOPROTECTION COST ACTION. To meet the minimum criteria of those guidelines, experiments should be performed (i) on healthy small animals subjected to ischemia with reperfusion lasting for at least 2 hours and (ii) confirmed in small animals with comorbidities and comedications and (iii) in large animals. Our analysis revealed that the publications regarding cardioprotective effects of CB2 receptor agonists and cannabidiol did not meet all three strict steps of IMPACT. Thus, additional experiments are needed to confirm the cardioprotective activities of (endo) cannabinoids mainly on small animals with comorbidities and on large animals. Moreover, our publication underlines the significance of the IMPACT criteria for a proper planning of preclinical experiments regarding cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied whether the function of presynaptic inhibitory cannabinoid CB1 receptors on the sympathetic nerve fibres innervating resistance vessels is increased in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) like in deoxycorticosterone (DOCA)–salt hypertension. An increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was induced by electrical stimulation of the preganglionic sympathetic neurons or by phenylephrine injection in pithed SHR and normotensive Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKY). The electrically (but not the phenylephrine) induced increase in DBP was inhibited by the cannabinoid receptor agonist CP55940, similarly in both groups, and by the endocannabinoid reuptake inhibitor AM404 in SHR only. The effect of CP55940 was abolished/reduced by the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (in both groups) and in WKY by endocannabinoid degradation blockade, i.e., the monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor MJN110 and the dual fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)/MAGL inhibitor JZL195 but not the FAAH inhibitor URB597. MJN110 and JZL195 tended to enhance the effect of CP55940 in SHR. In conclusion, the function of presynaptic inhibitory CB1 receptors depends on the hypertension model. Although no differences occurred between SHR and WKY under basal experimental conditions, the CB1 receptor function was better preserved in SHR when the endocannabinoid tone was increased by the inhibition of MAGL or the endocannabinoid transporter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease leading to increased pressure in the pulmonary artery and right heart failure. The adenosine monophosphateactivated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, metformin, has a protective effect against PH. CB1 receptor blockade reduces the number of pathological alterations in experimental lung fibrosis. The current study evaluates the effect of the peripheral cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist JD5037 in mono- and polytherapy with metformin in rat monocrotaline-induced mild PH. Animals received metformin (100 mg/kg), JD5037 (3 mg/kg), or a combination of both once daily for 21 days. Monocrotaline (60 mg/kg) increased right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure (RVSP), led to RV and lung hypertrophy and remodeling, and decreased oxygen saturation. Metformin partially restored the monocrotaline-induced effects, i.e., decreased RVSP, increased oxygen saturation, and counteracted cardiac fibrotic, hypertrophic, and inflammatory changes. JD5037 modified parameters related to inflammation and/or fibrosis. Only polytherapy with metformin and JD5037 improved Fulton's index and coronary artery hypertrophy and tended to be more effective than monotherapy against alterations in RVSP, oxygen saturation and coronary artery tunica media vacuolization. In conclusion, monotherapy with JD5037 does not markedly influence the PHrelated changes. However, polytherapy with metformin tends to be more efficient than any of these compounds alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously shown that in urethane-anaesthetized rats, intravenous injection of the angiotensin II (Ang II) AT1 receptor antagonist losartan reversed the pressor effect of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist CP55940 given in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN). The aim of our study was to determine the potential interactions in the PVN between CB1 receptors and AT1 and AT2 receptors for Ang II and Mas receptors for Ang 1–7 in blood pressure regulation in conscious spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. The pressor effects of Ang II, Ang 1–7 and CP55940 microinjected into the PVN were stronger in SHRs than in WKYs. Increases in blood pressure in response to Ang II were strongly inhibited by antagonists of AT1 (losartan), AT2 (PD123319) and CB1 (AM251) receptors, to Ang 1–7 by a Mas antagonist (A-779) and AM251 and to CP55940 by losartan, PD123319 and A-779. Higher (AT1 and CB1) and lower (AT2 and Mas) receptor expression in the PVN of SHR compared to WKY may partially explain the above differences. In conclusion, blood pressure control in the PVN depends on the mutual interaction of CB1, AT1, AT2 and Mas receptors in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats and their normotensive controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cannabis (marijuana) is not only a frequently abused drug but also has the potential for the development of useful agents for the treatment of emesis, anorexia and multiple sclerosis. In this article, the effects of modulation of transmitter release by cannabinoids in both the CNS and the PNS of various species, including humans, will be discussed. Cannabinoids inhibit neurotransmitter release via specific presynaptic cannabinoid C[B.sub.1] receptors. Studies using either the C[B.sub.1] receptor antagonist and inverse agonist SR141716 or C[B.sub.1]-receptor-deficient mice suggest that numerous presynaptic cannabinoid receptors are tonically activated by endogenous cannabinoids and/or are constitutively active. C[B.sub.1]-receptor-mediated inhibition of transmitter release might explain, for example, reinforcing properties and memory impairment caused by cannabinoids.