Vasorelaxation caused by cannabinoids: mechanisms in different vascular beds.
Cannabinoids (natural, endogenous and synthetic compounds) produce vasorelaxation in resistance and conduit arteries. Several putative mechanisms have been proposed to explain this effect of cannabinoids. The aim of the present review is to discuss the different mechanisms involved in the vasorelaxant effect of endogenous and synthetic cannabinoids in resistance and conduit arteries. Research on the vascular effects of cannabinoids suggests that the magnitude of the vasorelaxation and the mechanisms involved are not identical in all vascular beds with one or two mechanisms predominating. Either extracellular or intracellular mechanisms are involved. With regard to the former, the stimulation of cannabinoid CB1, CB2 or nonCB1/nonCB2 cannabinoid receptors and the stimulation of vanilloid receptors, transient potential vanilloid receptors, on perivascular nerve endings with the subsequent release of the vasodilator neurotransmitter calcitonin gene-related peptide have been described. With regard to the latter, the main mechanisms implicated include nitric oxide release, metabolism to vasoactive arachidonic metabolites or prostanoid analogues, or endothelium derived hyperpolarising factor release. The knowledge of these mechanisms is crucial to identify new therapeutic targets and to understand the consequences in different vascular beds.
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Dpto. Ciencias de la Salud III, Area de Farmacología. Avda. Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcín, Madrid, Spain. visitacin.lopezmiranda@urjc.es
Visitación
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Lípez-Miranda
Esperanza
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Herradón
Ma Isabel
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Martín
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators / Q000378:metabolism; D002186:Cannabinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000378:metabolism; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D063386:Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists; D063385:Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; D002186:Cannabinoids; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D014665:Vasodilator Agents