Receptor nature of cardioprotective effect of cannabinoids during ischemia and reperfusion of isolated heart

The present study showed that endogenous agonists of cannabinoid (CB) receptors were not involved in the regulation of cardiac resistance to ischemia and reperfusion in non-adapted rats. Activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors by exogenously administered cannabinoids (HU-210, ACPA, and CP 55940) promoted an increase in the tolerance of isolated perfused heart to total ischemia and reperfusion. The CB2 receptor agonist, JWH133, the CB receptor agonist, anandamide, and its enzyme-resistant analogue, methanandamide, had no effect on the tolerance of heart to ischemia and reperfusion. The cardioprotective effect of CB1 and CB2#agonist, HU-210, was associated with activation of CB1 receptors, localized in the myocardium.