Endogenous cannabinoids contribute to remote ischemic preconditioning via cannabinoid CB2 receptors in the rat heart

In addition to well-known neurobehavioral effects, endogenous cannabinoids exert diverse cardiovascular actions. Recently, they have been suggested to protect the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury. The aim of this study is to examine the contribution of endogenous cannabinoids to cardioprotection afforded by remote ischemic preconditioning. Three groups of remote preconditioned (15 min of mesenteric artery occlusion followed by 15 min of reperfusion) and three groups of sham-operated rats were included in the study. Animals were pretreated intravenously by vehicle, cannabinoid CB(1) (AM251, 1 mg/kg) or CB(2) (AM630, 1 mg/kg) receptor antagonist 15 min prior to remote preconditioning or sham operation. Myocardial injury was induced by 30 min of coronary artery occlusion followed by 2 h of reperfusion. The resultant arterial hypotension, ventricular arrhythmias, and infarct size were compared among the groups. Remote preconditioning exerted potent cardioprotection manifested as significant reductions in infarct size (P