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Published on: June 10, 2015
Chronic cannabidiol treatment induces cardiovascular improvement in renovascular hypertensive rats
Atalia Ferreira Lima Flôr1, Samuel Duarte-Maia1, Francineide Fernandes-Costa2
1Biotechnology Center, Federal University of Paraiba, João Pessoa, Brazil.
Insights
Chronic cannabidiol (CBD) treatment lowered blood pressure in hypertensive rats by improving vascular function and reducing sympathetic activity. This suggests CBD may help manage renovascular hypertension complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Neuropharmacology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) shows therapeutic promise for neurodegenerative diseases.
- Previous studies indicated acute CBD administration benefits cardiovascular health in hypertensive rats, reducing blood pressure and oxidative stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the long-term cardiovascular impact of chronic cannabidiol (CBD) administration.
- To investigate CBD's effects in the 2-kidney-1-clip (2K1C) model of renovascular hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats underwent 2-kidney-1-clip (2K1C) or SHAM surgery.
- Following hypertension induction, rats received chronic CBD treatment (20 mg/kg, twice daily for 14 days).
- A combination of ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo techniques assessed cardiovascular effects.
Main Results:
- Chronic CBD treatment significantly reduced blood pressure and enhanced the depressor response to hexamethonium.
- CBD normalized low-frequency (LF) power and LF/high-frequency (HF) ratio, indicating improved autonomic balance.
- CBD improved mesenteric artery vasodilation, reduced vasoconstriction, and decreased aortic reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression.
Conclusions:
- Chronic CBD treatment demonstrates antihypertensive effects in renovascular hypertension.
- CBD improves baroreflex sensitivity, vascular function, and reduces sympathetic nerve activity and oxidative stress.
- These findings highlight CBD's potential for managing cardiovascular complications in renovascular hypertension.
Background:
Cannabidiol (CBD) is increasingly studied for its therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases. Previous research on acute CBD administration has demonstrated cardiovascular benefits in hypertensive rats, including reduced mean blood pressure and oxidative stress.
Aim:
To investigate the long-term cardiovascular effects of chronic CBD treatment in renovascular hypertension induced by the 2-kidney-1-clip (2K1C) model.
Methods:
Male Wistar rats (180-200 g, 8 weeks old) underwent 2K1C or SHAM surgery. Six weeks later, rats received chronic CBD treatment (20 mg/kg, twice daily for 14 days). A combination of ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo methods was used to assess CBD's cardiovascular effects in 2K1C hypertensive rats.
Results:
Chronic CBD treatment significantly reduced blood pressure and the depressor response to hexamethonium (a ganglionic blocker). It also normalized variability in low-frequency (LF) power and LF/high-frequency (HF) ratio. CBD enhanced vasodilation and reduced vasoconstriction in the mesenteric artery of 2K1C rats, accompanied by decreased expression of aortic reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that chronic CBD treatment exerts antihypertensive effects by improving baroreflex sensitivity and vascular function while decreasing arterial ROS levels and sympathetic nerve activity. These results underscore CBD's potential therapeutic role in managing cardiovascular complications associated with renovascular hypertension.
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