title: Detection of an endogenous cannabimimetic molecule, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and cannabinoid CB1 receptor mRNA in human vascular cells: is 2-arachidonoylglycerol a possible vasomodulator?
abstract: Human vascular endothelial cells were found to generate and release 2-arachidonoylglycerol, an endogenous cannabinoid receptor ligand, upon stimulation with thrombin or A23187. We confirmed that vascular smooth muscle cells as well as endothelial cells possess cannabinoid CB1 receptor mRNA. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol, generated in vascular tissues, may play an important role in modulating vascular tone through acting on the cannabinoid CB1 receptor expressed on vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells as well as peripheral nerve terminals.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kodaka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakane
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kishimoto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Waku
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004075:Diglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005989:Glycerides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D013917:Thrombin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014316:Tritium; D014471:Umbilical Veins
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D004075:Diglycerides; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D014316:Tritium; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D000001:Calcimycin; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate; D013917:Thrombin