title: Endocannabinoids as cardiovascular modulators.
abstract: Cannabinoids, the bioactive constituents of the marijuana plant and their synthetic and endogenous analogs cause not only neurobehavioral, but also cardiovascular effects. The most important component of these effects is a profound decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. Although multiple lines of evidence indicate that the hypotensive and bradycardic effects of anandamide and other cannabinoids are mediated by peripherally located CB1 cannabinoid receptors, anandamide can also elicit vasodilation in certain vascular beds, which is independent of CB1 or CB2 receptors. Possible cellular mechanisms underlying these effects and the cellular sources of vasoactive anandamide are discussed.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. gkunos@mail.nih.gov
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Kunos
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Járai
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Bátkai
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Goparaju
authors: E J
authors: EJ
authors: Ishac
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Liu
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Wang
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Wagner
mesh_terms: D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002188:Cannabis; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; C078814:anandamide