The role of the endocannabinoid system in atherosclerosis

Autor: François Mach, Sabine Steffens
Rok vydání: 2008
Předmět:
medicine.medical_specialty
Endocrinology
Diabetes and Metabolism
medicine.medical_treatment
Inflammation/etiology
Receptor
Cannabinoid
CB2/physiology
Inflammation
Cardiovascular System
Models
Biological
Pathogenesis
Receptor
Cannabinoid
CB2
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Endocrinology
Immune system
Receptor
Cannabinoid
CB1
Atherosclerosis/complications/etiology
Internal medicine
Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators
Medicine
Cardiovascular System/drug effects
Animals
Humans
Platelet activation
Receptor
ddc:616
Metabolic Syndrome
Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
business.industry
Cannabinoids
medicine.disease
Atherosclerosis
Endocannabinoid system
Neurosecretory Systems/physiology
Neurosecretory Systems
Endocannabinoids/physiology
Cannabinoids/pharmacology
Receptor
Cannabinoid
CB1/antagonists & inhibitors
Cannabinoid
Metabolic syndrome
medicine.symptom
Metabolic Syndrome X/complications
business
Endocannabinoids
Zdroj: Journal of neuroendocrinology, Vol. 20 Suppl 1 (2008) pp. 53-7
ISSN: 1365-2826
Popis: Our current understanding of the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis suggests a prominent role for immune responses from its initiation through its complications. Given the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors worldwide, there is an urgent need to better understand the underlying mechanisms to improve current treatment protocols. A growing body of evidence suggests that endocannabinoid signalling plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherogenesis and its clinical manifestations. Blocking CB(1) receptors has been shown to mediate not only weight reduction, but also several cardiometabolic effects in rodents and humans, indicating a potential relevance for the process of atherosclerosis. Activation of CB(2) receptors with Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been shown to inhibit atherosclerotic plaque progression in mice, mainly by inhibiting macrophage recruitment. Endocannabinoids released from endothelial cells, macrophages or platelets, reduce hypertension in rodents, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. In addition, anandamide inhibits inflammatory gene expression in endothelial cells, and consequently monocyte adhesion. Conversely, endocannabinoids might also mediate pro-atherosclerotic effects by inducing platelet activation. In conclusion, the precise role of the endocannabinoid system during atherosclerosis is not yet understood. Whether increased endocannabinoid signalling is associated with disease progression and increased risk of acute thrombotic events remains to be determined.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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