Cannabinoids Regulate the Diameter of Pericyte-Containing Retinal Capillaries in Rats
Background/Aims: Cannabinoids are vasoactive substances that act as key regulators of arterial tone in the blood vessels supplying peripheral tissues and the central nervous system. We therefore investigated the effect of cannabinoids on retinal capillaries and pericytes. Methods: The effects of can...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KG
2017-10-01
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| Series: | Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/484193 |
| _version_ | 1818844126087479296 |
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| author | Yuan Zong Xujiao Zhou Jingyi Cheng Jian Yu Jihong Wu Chunhui Jiang |
| author_facet | Yuan Zong Xujiao Zhou Jingyi Cheng Jian Yu Jihong Wu Chunhui Jiang |
| author_sort | Yuan Zong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Aims: Cannabinoids are vasoactive substances that act as key regulators of arterial tone in the blood vessels supplying peripheral tissues and the central nervous system. We therefore investigated the effect of cannabinoids on retinal capillaries and pericytes. Methods: The effects of cannabinoids on capillary diameters were determined using an ex vivo whole-mount rat retinal model. Western blotting, quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry were performed to explore the underlying mechanism. Results: Endogenous cannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide and exogenous cannabinoid (R-(+)-WIN55212-2) dilated the noradrenaline-precontracted capillaries in a concentration-dependent manner (1 µM to 0.1 mM). The extent of vasorelaxation was positively correlated with changes in pericyte width. The effects of R-(+)-WIN55212-2 on vasorelaxation and pericyte width were inhibited by a cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1) antagonist, AM251 or rimonabant (SR141716A), the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME, and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ. They were also abolished by the removal of the endothelium, but not by the cannabinoid receptor-2 antagonist SR144528, the endothelial cannabinoid receptor antagonist O-1918, or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Conclusion: The exogenous cannabinoid R-(+)-WIN55212-2 promotes the vasorelaxation of pericyte-containing rat retinal capillaries. This effect of R-(+)-WIN55212-2 is dependent on CB1 and the nitric oxide–cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway, and requires an intact endothelium. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T05:08:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2bdd26a602664e1e9ff8107a06b99b56 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1015-8987 1421-9778 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T05:08:48Z |
| publishDate | 2017-10-01 |
| publisher | Cell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry |
| spelling | doaj.art-2bdd26a602664e1e9ff8107a06b99b562022-12-21T20:34:51ZengCell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KGCellular Physiology and Biochemistry1015-89871421-97782017-10-014352088210110.1159/000484193484193Cannabinoids Regulate the Diameter of Pericyte-Containing Retinal Capillaries in RatsYuan ZongXujiao ZhouJingyi ChengJian YuJihong WuChunhui JiangBackground/Aims: Cannabinoids are vasoactive substances that act as key regulators of arterial tone in the blood vessels supplying peripheral tissues and the central nervous system. We therefore investigated the effect of cannabinoids on retinal capillaries and pericytes. Methods: The effects of cannabinoids on capillary diameters were determined using an ex vivo whole-mount rat retinal model. Western blotting, quantitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry were performed to explore the underlying mechanism. Results: Endogenous cannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide and exogenous cannabinoid (R-(+)-WIN55212-2) dilated the noradrenaline-precontracted capillaries in a concentration-dependent manner (1 µM to 0.1 mM). The extent of vasorelaxation was positively correlated with changes in pericyte width. The effects of R-(+)-WIN55212-2 on vasorelaxation and pericyte width were inhibited by a cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1) antagonist, AM251 or rimonabant (SR141716A), the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME, and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ. They were also abolished by the removal of the endothelium, but not by the cannabinoid receptor-2 antagonist SR144528, the endothelial cannabinoid receptor antagonist O-1918, or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Conclusion: The exogenous cannabinoid R-(+)-WIN55212-2 promotes the vasorelaxation of pericyte-containing rat retinal capillaries. This effect of R-(+)-WIN55212-2 is dependent on CB1 and the nitric oxide–cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway, and requires an intact endothelium.https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/484193Cannabinoid receptor type 1CannabinoidPericyteRetinal capillaryVasoregulation |
| spellingShingle | Yuan Zong Xujiao Zhou Jingyi Cheng Jian Yu Jihong Wu Chunhui Jiang Cannabinoids Regulate the Diameter of Pericyte-Containing Retinal Capillaries in Rats Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry Cannabinoid receptor type 1 Cannabinoid Pericyte Retinal capillary Vasoregulation |
| title | Cannabinoids Regulate the Diameter of Pericyte-Containing Retinal Capillaries in Rats |
| title_full | Cannabinoids Regulate the Diameter of Pericyte-Containing Retinal Capillaries in Rats |
| title_fullStr | Cannabinoids Regulate the Diameter of Pericyte-Containing Retinal Capillaries in Rats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cannabinoids Regulate the Diameter of Pericyte-Containing Retinal Capillaries in Rats |
| title_short | Cannabinoids Regulate the Diameter of Pericyte-Containing Retinal Capillaries in Rats |
| title_sort | cannabinoids regulate the diameter of pericyte containing retinal capillaries in rats |
| topic | Cannabinoid receptor type 1 Cannabinoid Pericyte Retinal capillary Vasoregulation |
| url | https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/484193 |
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