The quest for a vascular endothelial cannabinoid receptor.
This review examines pharmacological and biochemical evidence that suggests the existence of an as yet undefined endothelial receptor that mediates endocannabinoid-induced vasodilation. The signaling mechanisms triggered through this receptor and its potential physiological role are also discussed. Since vasodilation is often associated with hypotension, mechanisms involved in the hypotensive actions of cannabinoids, including the endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, are also briefly reviewed.
Kunos
George
G
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 12420 Parklawn Drive MSC-8115, Bethesda, MD 20892-8115, USA. gkunos@mail.nih.gov
Bátkai
Sándor
S
Offertáler
László
L
Mo
Fanny
F
Liu
Jie
J
Karcher
Jan
J
Harvey-White
Judith
J
D000818:Animals; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005989:Glycerides / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D005989:Glycerides; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug; C094503:glyceryl 2-arachidonate; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins; C078814:anandamide