2-Arachidonoyl glycerol induces contraction of isolated rat aorta: role of cyclooxygenase-derived products

• Published in: Cardiovascular research 2004-07, Vol.63 (1), p.155-160
• Main Authors: Stanke-Labesque, Françoise, Mallaret, Michel, Lefebvre, Blandine, Hardy, Gaëlle, Caron, Françoise, Bessard, Germain
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta; Arachidonic Acids - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators - pharmacology; Cardiology. Vascular system; Dinoprost - metabolism; Dinoprostone - metabolism; Endocannabinoids; Glycerides - pharmacology; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Medical sciences; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - drug effects; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - metabolism; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - metabolism; Rats; Rats, Inbred WKY; Thromboxane A2 - metabolism; Vasoconstrictor Agents - pharmacology
• ISSN: 0008-6363; 1755-3245
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cardiores.2004.03.024

Abstract Objectives: Endocannabinoids have been shown to play a role in the regulation of vascular tone. The effects of 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG) on induced-tone were examined in rat aortic rings in vitro. Methods: Aortic rings from Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were suspended in organ chambers for recording isometric tension development in response to 2-AG. The production of TXA2 in response to 2-AG was also assessed by enzyme immunoassay. Results: In endothelium-intact rings pre-contracted to PGF2α, 2-AG (10 nM-30 μM) induced a biphasic effect: a weak relaxation from 10 nM to 0.1 μM, which turned into a concentration-dependent contraction from 3 to 30 μM. Endothelium-denudation did not change 2-AG-mediated vascular effects. 2-AG-induced contraction was unaffected by both the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A (3 μM) and the CB2 receptor antagonist SR144528 (1 μM). In contrast, the anandamine transport inhibitor (AM404, 100 μM) and the amino hydrolase inhibitor (PMSF, 30 μM) attenuated (P